Page 60 of Saved By the Rakish Duke

Lord Thornlowe, however, did not appear as thrilled to see them—clearly wary of the reputation that the three friends had.

Once the necessary introductions were made between the two groups, Fairhaven suggested that they slowly begin looking for their seats.

As their combined parties meandered through the winding corridors, Duncan placed a hand on Harlington’s shoulder and whispered, “What happened to Lady Georgina?”

“Oh dear...” Harlington smirked over his shoulder, “I sent them a note to confirm that we were looking forward to seeing them. But I am just now realizing that it may have mentioned the... wrong date.”

Duncan’s eyes widened in bewilderment. “You did? Why?”

Harlington’s eyes fell on Lady Penelope and Mother as they conversed with Lady Madalene and her parents. “You were right,” he shrugged, “You have more than enough problems as it is.”

“Have you had the chance to speak to her yet?” Duncan cleared his throat, his eyes resting on the low chignon that hung on the back of Lady Penelope’s neck. “I know I was adamant about you leaving her alone, but on second thought, perhaps she'll be more open with you two than she has been with me.”

“We’ll do our best.” Harlington nodded firmly. “Or at least I will, Fairhaven looks like he’s forgotten that the rest of us are still here.” He gestured with his chin towards their giddy friend as he basked in the light of Lady Beatrice’s sheepish smile even as she hung on her father’s protective arm.

When they eventually took their seats, Mother insisted on sitting next to Lady Madalene’s mother—Lady Whitewood—which put Lady Penelope on Duncan’s righthand side, while Fairhaven sat on his left.

The poor creature kept her eyes focused straight ahead, without throwing even so much as a nod of acknowledgment Duncan’s way.

His heart pounded wildly at the unbearably awkward air between them, but he had already decided that he wasn’t going to be the one to initiate even a temporary truce.

He had given her more than enough opportunity to explain what was wrong and how he could help when they were under the archway. So, Duncan saw no reason for him to be the one who-

“Your Grace?”

Duncan grimaced as he realized that for the second time already tonight, he had flinched thanks to someone’s voice interrupting his thoughts—he really needed to stop allowing his mind to wander.

“Yes, Lady Penelope?” he croaked, his throat suddenly dry.

Duncan also had his gaze fixed straight ahead, but he could see her shift in her seat slightly as she whispered, “Is Lord Harlington... an upstanding gentleman?”

Duncan snapped his neck to her in an instant. “Of course. Why? What did he say to you?”

She reached into her reticule and pulled out a folded note, “Before we took our seats, he asked me to pass this to Lady Madalene for him when I got the chance.”

Duncan felt the tension in his shoulders melt away, immediately understanding what his friend was trying to do.

“Did he now?” he chuckled drily, “What does the note say?”

“I haven’t read it, of course!” she huffed in response. “But by now you also must have noticed the attention he’s paying her tonight, so it isn’t too difficult to guess what it might contain.”

Duncan felt his chest tighten as he fought back the urge to tell her everything—that Harlington’s behavior towards Lady Madalene was quite calculated, as was this entire excursion, and as was the note that he had put in Lady Penelope’s hands.

“You’ve never even spoken to Lady Madalene before tonight,” Duncan mused out loud, “and you’re already being so protective of her.” He smiled.

“Naturally, of course!” scoffed the lady at his side. “And I know that Lord Harlington is a close friend of yours, but you’ve always been honest in your criticisms of other gentlemen. And I cannot, in good conscience, pass this note on to Lady Madalene until I am certain that Lord Harlington won’t hurt her.”

“He won’t,” Duncan promised with utmost sincerity. It was true, but perhaps not for the same reasons that Lady Penelope was thinking of. “But if you’d prefer,Icould pass the note along instead?” he offered, “Perhaps that would be easier on your conscience?”

She bit her lip for a moment, causing Duncan to wonder if she couldn’t trust him even with a matter this trivial. But to his relief, Lady Penelope eventually held out the note towards him with only the slightest hint of apprehension.

The lights dimmed shortly after accepting the paper and the pair resumed their initial forward-facing stances. A few minutes into the first number, Duncan checked to ensure that Lady Penelope wasn’t watching him.

Upon confirming that her gaze remained steadfastly transfixed on the stage and its spirited performers, Duncan stealthily unfolded the note to confirm his suspicions.

Evening, Blackmoore!

-H

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