Page 5 of The Truth about the Earl
Evidently, Lady Maude was well used to a gentleman’s perusal for she did not either blush or demurely drop her gaze.
“Good evening, Lady Maude.” Rising from his bow, James smiled as warmly as he could, wondering if this evening, he would have an opportunity to dance with the lady. Having been in London for a fortnight already, he had not yet had a chance to do so and was eager to step out with her. “I do hope you will not have as full a dance card as the last time we were in company together?” One lift of his eyebrow made her smile and, after a moment, she lifted her dance card from her wrist and handed it to him.
“How wonderful.” The satisfaction was only momentary, however, for a glance at the dance card told him he only had two choices remaining – the country waltz and the quadrille. Thatwas not what he had been hoping for. After all, it felt as though the ball had only just begun!
“You have both the first waltz and the supper dance taken already, I see.” Struggling to contain his frustration, James tried to force a smile as he glanced up at Lady Maude. “How very unfortunate.”
“Indeed.” Lady Maude did not seem at all concerned by James’ evident irritation, turning her head away as if she were bored by his frustrations. “I believe two dances are remaining, Lord Yardley. Do either of them not satisfy you?”
James grimaced and put his name down for the quadrille. “But of course, Lady Maude.”It is as if she wishes me to be grateful that I have any dance with her at all – although, mayhap that is precisely as I ought to be.“The quadrille shall suit me very well.”
Her cool smile did nothing to calm his irritation. “Thank you, Lord Yardley. I am sure that mydearfriend, Miss Patterson, would be glad of your interest also.”
James’ eyes flicked toward the lady she gestured to, seeing the somewhat pale-faced young lady conversing with another gentleman, although her eyes caught his for a moment.
“But of course,” he murmured, having a great reluctance to even converse with Miss Patterson, whom he had previously been introduced to and found to be something of a bore. “Once she is finished her conversation with another, I shall be glad to speak with her also. I have taken the second to last ofyourdances, however, and I –”
“And may I have the very last?”
James turned in surprise, just as one Lord Huntsford approached, bowing toward Lady Maude as he came to a stop beside James. “I overheard you speaking to Lord Yardley and must beg for the second dance to become my own.”
“How very kind of you, Lord Huntsford.”
Much to James’ surprise, Lady Maude’s response was no longer the cool, somewhat dull tone with which she had spoken to him. Rather, it was a little brighter and the warmth in her eyes seemed to sparkle as she gazed at Lord Huntsford.
Envy coiled in his belly.
“Wonderful.” Quickly signing his name, Lord Huntsford cleared his throat, smiled, and elbowed James in the side in the most discreet manner.
James’ jaw tightened.
“We shall excuse ourselves now, Lady Maude, so that others might be permitted to enjoy your company also.” Lord Huntsford bowed, turned and James had no other choice but to follow him.
“You are the most irritating gentleman.”
Lord Huntsford chuckled, his eyes dancing. “Ah, but I am also your very dearest friend and therefore you must know that I seek only the best for you.”
James rolled his eyes. “Dancing with Lady Maude has been my sole intention these last two weeks and when I finally am able to do so – having spoken to her only a mere half-hour since the ball began – I find that the waltzandthe supper dance are both already stolen by others!”
Lord Huntsford snorted. “They are hardly stolen.”
“I am determined to have a waltz with her.”
His friend lifted his eyebrow. “To what end? You have no intention to wed.”
“Ah, but I might be prevailed upon to do so ifshewould consider me. I think her the most beautiful of all ladies.” His heart quickened at the thought of her standing beside him in church, only for it then to drop to the floor as he recalled how dismissive she had been toward him. “Alas, I fear she isnotto be as eager for my company as I am for hers.”
Grinning, Lord Huntsford chuckled and James’ irritation grew. “I have had nothing but delightful conversation and the like from her. I do not know why you appear to be so displeased.”
“Mayhap that is becauseyouare able to have her smile upon you with only a few words whereas my flattering compliments gain me nothing but the smallest of smiles and only a hint of interest.”
“Ah, so you are envious! Well, you need not be so for I have no intention whatsoever to court Lady Maude, no matter how eager she may be for my company.”
This did nothing to satisfy James’ frustrations and he looked away, his shoulders slumping. Lady Maude was the perfect young lady, as far as he was concerned. Her father was also an earl, just as he was, and she was both elegant and genteel, offering him everything that a lady ought to be. James was quite certain that Lady Maude would make the most excellent wife and to have her on his arm was a dream he continually clung to. And yet, it seemed she did not have any of the same interest in pursuing such a dream, for her lack of delight in his company was rather telling.
“Theremustbe a way that I can garner her interest!”
Lord Huntsford laughed and shook his head. “Mayhap you ought to show a distinctlackof interest in the lady.”
