Page 11 of The Truth about the Earl
“Make sure you heed Lady Essington.” Lady Woodley’s finger waggled up and down and both her daughters nodded fervently again. “Thank you, Lady Essington. You have been very helpful.”
In more ways than you could know.Norah thanked them and took her leave, her smile even brighter than before. To know she had done some good in writing her article brought her a great sense of purpose and joy and for that, she was very grateful indeed. With this newfound freedom and intention, Norah considered that the remainder of the Season would go very well indeed.
Chapter Four
“Did you hear the news about Lord Jennings?”
James looked up from his newspaper as Lord Huntsford strode into his study, unannounced and uninvited. “Good morning, Huntsford,” he replied, mildly. “Is there a reason you have come striding in like this? Is there something of great importance that I have missed thus far?”
“If you are reading the newspaper, then I am astonished that you seem to have no awareness as to what I am speaking of!”
James lifted one eyebrow. “In case you had forgotten, I am not a gentleman inclined toward reading the society papers.”
Lord Huntsford rolled his eyes and sat down heavily in a chair. “But how will you know the goings-on in thetonif you do not read them?”
“Perhaps I do not need to know the ‘goings-on’, as you say,” James replied, folding up the newspaper and setting it down in a most pointed manner. “It is not as though they are of any benefit to me.”
Shaking his head, Lord Huntsford lifted his chin. “In that regard, you are quite mistaken. They are of great benefit.”
James sighed and spread out his hands on either side. “I do not need to know what rumors the gossip mongers are spreading throughout London. I consider the writer of such things to be the veryworstof such people.”
“Ah, but again, you are mistaken! Mrs. Fullerton – for that is the name of the person writing the society column – has only ever written the truth.”
“I find that very difficult to believe.”
Lord Huntsford held up one hand, ticking off his fingers with the other. “Lord Newgate was found to be gambling away almost every penny he had, Lord and Lady Highforth were pushed from society after the news of their thefts was revealed in that society column. Lord Quinsley’s penchant for stealing young ladies away and then threatening them thereafter so that they remained silent was also revealed in the paper, as was Lord Heseltine’s less than gentlemanly behavior toward a recently married young lady.”
Grimacing, James tilted his head, trying to find something to argue with in response to all that Lord Huntsford had said but found that there was nothing he could say.
“And now we hear about Lord Jennings!”
Trying to recall the gentleman, it took James a moment to respond. “Lord Jennings has done something, I presume? Something that has been written about in the society papers?”
Lord Huntsford nodded gravely, rose from his chair, and went to pour himself a brandy. “Indeed. It seems that he was seen leading a reluctant young lady out of doors during the most recent ball – and when the lady requested to be returned to her mother, the gentleman refused and attempted to press his affections onto her.”
A ball of anger began to roll around in James’ stomach and he tensed his jaw. “Then he is no gentleman at all.”
“I would quite agree.”
“And does the writer identify the lady in question?”
Lord Huntsford shook his head and then took a sip of his brandy. “The lady does not tend to inform thetonof those who have been ill-used by the hands of others.”
“That is good, I suppose,” James replied, begrudgingly. “Regardless, I do not care to read the society papers. It would only disgust me further, I am sure. I do not have any wish to hear of how inappropriately in society others have chosen to behave.”
“But it shouldinformyou, should it not?” Lord Huntsford’s brows lowered over his eyes. “It is important now that we do not seek out Lord Jennings’s acquaintance and be sure to turn from him should he wish to engage us in conversation!”
James shrugged. “But given thatyouare so eager to read such things, I have no need to do so for you will guide me through it all, I am sure.”
Lord Huntsford opened his mouth and then closed it again, his mouth tugging to one side. “I find you very strange indeed, old boy.”
“That is quite all right,” James replied, easily. “You like to delve into the whispers and the gossip of society, whereas I do not. In that regard we are different but that suits me very well indeed.”
“Hmph.” Lord Huntsford took a sip of his brandy, drew in a long breath, and then changed the subject entirely. “And how was your dance with Lady Maude? You have not spoken of it to me as yet.”
“It was….” James frowned. “It was a little strange, I confess.”
“Strange?”
