Salvation of Ignorance

Chapter 16: Their Identity Means Naught

"Is something the matter?" 

Niall returned his attention to the inquirer from his current conversation party. "Pardon?" 

"You seemed most displeased," The inquirer continued. "If you're concerned about the choice, I'm sure no one would mind the usual rendition of Pachelbel's Canon." 

"Pardon?" 

Sarah patted his hand still over her own. "Claremont has limited interests in music. The art of its poetry alludes him." 

Niall shrugged his mouth at the egregious slander against his intelligence, but nodded to preserve her attempt to cover for his lack of knowledge about how the conversation had developed. The party present resumed the topic until the members were called elsewhere and Sarah and Niall progressed as well. 

Once separated from the group, Sarah deadpanned, while observing the scenery, "You know, they would cease such statements if you left your recluse lifestyle once in a full moon." 

Niall rolled his eyes. "Yes, why should I considered the well-fare of my estate? We should simply resort to anarchy for the sake of dance and idle chatter." 

"Oh, yes, that's right. You're constantly dedicating yourself to your employment. You spend not a second of it in your self-interests." 

"What can I say? I'm a man of limited self-interests." 

Sarah migrated them to the next group of people.

It wasn't long before Niall's curiosity sent his eyes searching. Miss Barrettmore had returned and joined a new group of individuals. A gentleman was speaking with her with his hand risen in offering. With the band getting settled and couples entering the center of the room, Niall deduced the man was inquiring for a partner. Miss Barrettmore said something and then the man bowed and took leave of her. Niall locked his jaw when she departed for fresh air once more. 

He had been certain she would at least be open minded for other alternatives than Peter, but she didn't even seem inclined to attempt an effort in the matter. Perhaps she knew about the matter that was settled between their guardians? But then Niall was confused as to why they didn't simply announce their engagement, if such was the case. They had known each other for a year now. It wouldn't be unacceptable for them to announce it. 

Then there was the matter of why she would agree to such a union. 

Niall mulled over the matter mentally while Sarah directed him from conversation to conversation. At one point, he considered leading Sarah to one including Miss Barrettmore. But given the time of their entering and leaving a conversation in combination with Miss Barrettmore's fluttering between rooms, an opportunity seemed difficult to grasp. 

Eventually, Sarah and him finally found conversations where people ran out of curiosity for their presence and the two split ways. Miss Barrettmore had excused herself to the terrace, once more, and out of Niall's—and anyone's—sights. Endeavoring to avoid any speculation, he used the entrance to the gardens and navigated his way along the stone pathway to the terrace but frowned to see she was no longer there. 

Niall turned on his heel and examined the lot of greenery to see if he had missed her. It was brief, but he caught sight of a sliver of peach-blonde locks from behind some shrubbery out of the view of the doors to the terrace and not connected to the pathway. 

Flattening blades of greenery beneath his dance slippers, he made his way around the bushes to find she was too occupied clutching her abdomen to notice his approach. 

Niall's hands began to itch. "Are you alright?" 

Miss Barrettmore aligned her back from its initial hunch, but did not turn to face him. "Fine, thank you. You may leave."