Page 36 of The Truth about the Duke
“Here.” He wrote his name down not only for the waltz but also for the polka, swallowing tightly as he did so before handing it back to her. Watching her response, he could not help but smile at the swift intake of breath he heard coming from her, seeing how her eyes widened all the more as she looked back at him. “If that is quite all right with you, Lydia?” he asked, gently. “I know what questions this might bring but I am not afraid of them.”
She blinked rapidly, her eyes seeming to glisten for just a moment though she quickly smiled and shook her head. “No, neither am I,” she answered, a softness about her voice that betrayed her deep emotion. “Thank you, Melrose. You are most considerate.”
He wanted to say more, wanted to tell her that his feelings and affections had exploded of late but instead, he merely smiled back at her and said nothing.
“You will want to know what I have learned, of course,” she said, changing their conversation in a moment and setting all feelings and emotions aside. “I have learned a great deal, for I have been permitted to study and read just as much as I have desired!”
“And how has that been possible?”
She giggled, a light, airy sound that made him grin. “I informed my mother that it was for you that I was doing such a thing, that you were delighted in our prior conversations and suddenly, all was quite well.”
Grinning, Henry offered her his arm. “Then she will not mind if we take a turn about the room, I hope? I can see her nearby and, no doubt, she will follow.”
Lady Lydia took his arm without hesitating. “She will be glad, I am sure.” They began to walk and it was as if the rest of the ballroom faded to nothing. All he cared about was Lady Lydia’s company, all he wanted and desired was to be beside her. With a contented sigh, he looked down at her and smiled, seeing the same happiness he felt reflected in her eyes.
“I do not think that it can be your uncle.”
Henry’s eyebrows lifted. “No?”
She shook her head. “No. He is a gentleman in good standing and what I have learned about his estate and the area he resides in is that there has been nothing of note as regards his finances. Indeed, he furthered his estate by purchasing land, though that came before the loss of your father’s heirlooms.”
“I see. Though,” Henry continued, “he does have a scar.”
Lady Lydia nodded. “He does, yes.”
“Then Lord Montrose?”
A slight wince crossed Lady Lydia’s expression. “I cannot say for certain. I have found it a little more difficult to find information as regards his estate and the like, given that it is in Scotland.”
Henry nodded, his brow furrowing. “He was well acquainted with my father and would have known about the heirlooms, I am sure. Yes, he resides in Scotland but I am sure that he came to London on occasion.”
“All the same,” Lady Lydia continued, gently, “it may have nothing to do with him.”
Hearing the hesitation in her voice, Henry turned to look at her, coming to a short pause in their walk around the ballroom. “Then you believe that Lord Dunford is the most likely culprit?”
Lady Lydia pressed her lips tight together. “I – I cannot say for certain,” she said, slowly, “for it would not be my place to suggest such a thing. However, what I learned in my study wasthat there were a good many repairs that were needed at the estate and he did not manage to do any, not for a long time.”
A jolt ran through Henry, realizing what she was saying before she had even said it. “And yet, he managed to complete his repairs only after my heirlooms were taken.”
Lady Lydia nodded slowly, her eyes searching his face.
“Though he has no scar on his face,” Henry continued, muttering now to himself, “though he does have that large beard which means that his face is, in many ways, hidden.”
“Did he always have it?”
Scrunching up his nose, Henry thought for a few moments and then shrugged. “I could not say.”
“Then what will you do?”
The polka was announced before Henry could say anything and taking a breath, he looked towards her. “I shall dance the polka with you and then enjoy the rest of the evening,” he declared, determinedly. “And once that is over, I shall permit myself to consider all that must be done.” Smiling, he turned and inclined his head, offering her his hand rather than his arm. “Shall we step out to dance together, Lydia?”
With a look of surprise etching into her expression, swiftly followed by a delighted smile, she accepted his hand. “Thank you, Your Grace. I should be very glad to do so indeed.”
“Lord Montrose, good evening.”Henry inclined his head, aware that time was short. The ball was now at an end and every gentleman and lady were making their way to their carriages, Given the crush, it was taking a very long time indeed for some of them to get to their carriage.
“Good evening, Your Grace.” Lord Montrose nodded, a weariness in his expression. “I hope you have enjoyed the ball? I did see you dancing twice this evening with the same young lady!”
Henry chuckled, refusing to let the remark take a hold. He had done such a thing deliberately and had known that thetonwould take notice. That was not the reason for his conversation with this gentleman. “Indeed. I am, as you know, as yet unwed and I must consider taking a bride! You will understand, I am sure.”
