Page 15 of The Truth about the Viscount
“I have some. But for my own reasons, I am standing alone for a time.”
A little intrigued by this, Daniel studied her again, but said nothing, watching her carefully and wondering what it was thatshe might have meant. The lady’s cheeks were still flushed, but her eyes darted from one side of the room to the other, as though she was searching for something or someone, much as he was doing.
“Will you not tell me what your reasons are?” It was a little rude of him to ask her such a thing, but the conversation, as a whole, was already improper, given that they had not been introduced. Daniel’s eyebrows lifted all the higher, but the lady only shook her head, offering him only a very small and brief smile in response. “The Viscount Hastings.” He inclined his head, though it was not a complete nor proper bow. “I understand that this is no formal introduction, though it shall have to do, for the nonce.”
The lady’s cheeks flushed all the more.
“Lady Patience. My father is the Earl of Osterley though he is not going about in society at present.”
“I see.” Daniel studied her again, taking her in fully. She was, he considered, quite beautiful if not, mayhap, a little reserved. “You will not tell me of your reasons for staying away from your other acquaintances here, then?”
She shrugged.
“I see no need to, though you may tell me ofyourpurposes in standing alone if you wish it.”
At this, Daniel chuckled, a sense of happiness beginning to slip into him.
“I am afraid that I have no purposes, Lady Patience. All I have is a desire to stand alone and to study those present for a time.”
“For what reason is that?”
Daniel shook his head, unwilling to tell her anything about his present concerns over society.
“It is simply because I am a little fatigued, that is all.”
“I understand.” She spoke in such a way that Daniel could hear the slight inflection in her voice which, to his mind, spoke of a lack of belief. He railed at it internally, only to remind himself that such a thing did not matter, given that they were both perfect strangers and, therefore, did not need to have even the smallest level of trust between them. She glanced at him, a question in her eyes, though it took her another few moments to speak it. Daniel waited in silence. “Might I ask if your sister is Miss Spearton?”
“Yes, she is.” A little surprised at the lady’s connection to his sister, Daniel frowned. “Are you acquainted?”
The lady shook her head.
“No, we are not. I have recently heard of her betrothal and thus, that is how I know of her connection to you.”
“I see.”
Again, the lady’s green eyes met his and then pulled away again.
“Her betrothal must have been a great delight to you. Lord Milthorpe is, I understand, a close friend of yours.”
The frown on Daniel’s forehead only deepened. This, he reminded himself, was the very reason he was trying to pull away from theton. He had no desire whatsoever to have anything to do with society any longer, but yet, it was presenting itself to him all the same. The only reason that Lady Patience knew of his connection to Isabella was because there would have been those in thetonwho would have told her of it. He did not know if there had been any particular attitude to that conversation, whether or not there would have been those who would have spoken well of them, or spoken ill. He had to pray that it was kind and generous remarks which had been made of them, but he could not be sure of it.
“It will be a good marriage,” was all he said, choosing not to make any further remarks. “Now, if you will excuse me, Lady Patience, I think I shall attempt to be sociable again.”
Stepping away from her, he felt her gaze linger on him still, and his skin prickled uncomfortably. He did not want her studying him, did not like to be the subject of her perusal. The last thing he wanted was whispers spread from one person to another within theton.
“Good evening, Lord Hastings.”
Daniel scowled, coming to an abrupt stop as he came face to face with the very person he had been trying to spy out to avoid him.
“Lord Newforth. I have nothing to say to you.”
“Oh, but I have much to say to you.” Lord Newforth took a step closer, and Daniel retreated back to where he had come from – not from fear, but from a desire to make certain that very few people could overhear whatever Lord Newforth was going to insist upon saying. “Come now, Lord Hastings! You are not afraid of me, are you?”
Daniel drew himself up as tall as he could.
“Not in the least,” he grated, irritated by the gentleman’s suggestion. “I have no wish to talk to you, Newforth. I presume that much is clear but yet, it seems, you are going to disregard whatIdesire and instead, force yourself upon me.”
“Much as I did your sister.”
