Page 11 of The Marquess and the Wallflower
Aaron followed her gaze, looking toward the Earl and Countess of Dowding who had greeted him earlier that evening. The two were hand in hand as they talked to their guests, looking truly the happy couple.
“Would you introduce me?” he asked, finding a sudden keenness to know them better. “They invited my parents to this event, and I was an extension of that invitation. I met them earlier of course, but there was a lengthy line of guests and I do not believe I exchanged above three words with your parents.”
“Of course, come with me.” Lady Emily finished her food and beckoned him to his feet. Aaron found it easy to follow her across the room, not wanting to leave this woman’s side.
Perhaps it is the good humor. It is keeping me beside her, like a magnet.
“Mama? Papa?” Lady Emily called for their attention. The couple turned round, each one’s smile growing wider as they looked at their daughter. The Earl’s once copperish hair was greying, matching the close-cropped beard at his chin, and the Countess’ chestnut hair was coiffed elegantly, matching the refined features and large blue eyes that her daughter had inherited.
“Emily? Are you enjoying your debut?” the Countess asked, looking so thrilled that she practically bobbed on her toes as she spoke.
“I am.” Lady Emily sounded startled by her own words. “More than I expected.”
“Thank God for that,” her father said and wiped his brow. “You had me worried after tonight I’d never be able to peel you away from the library again. You might hide there and refuse to come out.”
“It may still happen, Papa, I make no promises.” Lady Emily’s jest made them all laugh before she turned and introduced Aaron. “This is Lord Tattershall, I believe you met him briefly earlier tonight?”
“Yes, Lord Tattershall. I have known your father for some time.” The Earl of Dowding stepped forward and offered his hand to Aaron. “It is a pleasure to meet you at all.”
“And you, my Lord.”
“I have heard much of you of course, and you live up to a lot of what he said. Perhaps a little taller though.” He nodded his head at Aaron’s superior height. “We must all look small to your eyes.”
“Not at all,” Aaron said, chuckling. At once he could see where Lady Emily got her good humor. Her father had a similar talent when it came to wit and putting people at their ease.
“What a handsome young man too!” the Countess declared as she stood beside him, gazing up at him.
Aaron flinched, fearing what was coming next. He was a Marquess after all, someday destined to be the next Duke of Parson. He had been to enough events of the ton to know what it was like to have parents thrust young ladies under his nose, all hoping their daughter would be the next Duchess. He fully prepared himself for the Countess to begin gushing about her daughter’s virtues, when in fact, she did nothing of the sort.
“I hope you are enjoying yourself, my Lord,” she said, clearly with much eagerness. “We have planned so much for the event, all I truly wanted was for people to enjoy their evening.”
Aaron found his eyes slipping toward Lady Emily, involuntarily. She was looking back up at him, waiting for his reply, with those dark auburn curls escaping her updo. He felt a temptation to brush one of those curls away behind her ear, revealing a little more of her face. He kept his hands firmly at his side.
Have you lost control of yourself, man?He reprimanded his thoughts as he turned back to Lady Dowding, answering her honestly.
“I can honestly say I am enjoying myself, much to my surprise.”
“I am thrilled to hear it!” Lady Dowding declared.
“Ah, that time has come again.” The Earl retrieved a pocket watch from his waistcoat as he spoke.
“No, not tonight, Papa, please?” Lady Emily pleaded with him.
“Time for what?” Aaron asked, looking between all of them.
“You honestly wish to play this game at my debut?” Lady Emily asked, rolling her eyes.
“A game?” Aaron repeated in wonder.
“You will have to forgive us all.” She pretended to whisper to him conspiratorially, though naturally her parents could both hear and laughed at her manner. “My family are fond of a little game at events such as this.”
“What kind of game?” Aaron asked with intrigue.
“We find it breaks up the small talk,” the Earl said with a wink. “We all need a break from that at times, do we not?”
“Very true indeed.”
“My Lord, you are welcome to join us in our little game if you like?” the Countess asked.
