Page 7 of The Truth about the Duke
“You look… displeased.”
Henry glowered at the host for the evening, a little irritated that he had come to break through the silence he had surrounded himself with, though inwardly he knew he had no right to do so. Lord Dunford had been a friend of Henry’s late father though Henry did not know him particularly well himself. “Not at all, Lord Dunford. I am not in the least bit displeased, though I was very much appreciating the quiet of the library.”
“And why is that?” Lord Dunford asked, his face wreathed in smiles and not in the least bit concerned about Henry’s melancholy mood. “You are at what I hope will be one of the most excellent soirees in the Season and you state that you are enjoying the quiet?” The smile faded as he ran his hand over his beard, a frown on his forehead. “Something must be wrong.”
Indeed it is.
Henry could not quite place a finger on what it was that troubled him but these last two weeks in London had made him a little… disappointed. He had not wanted to admit anything to Lord Kendall but part of him feared that, had his friend madethe bet he had threatened, then he might now be well on his way to winning.
“It must be a little overwhelming for a gentleman in your position,” Lord Dunford continued, with a small smile. “A Duke, coming to London to seek a wife! I well recall your father doing the very same thing! Though he was quick to make his match, however.” His smile grew a little sympathetic. “I am sure that almost every young lady in London has been introduced to you by now.”
All but one.
In an instant, the young lady that had practically shunned him to go and dance with a mere Viscount flashed into Henry’s mind. It had been a little over a sennight since that had taken place but it had not left Henry’s mind, no matter how much he had attempted to fling it from himself. To be so ignored had been most displeasing and yet, the young lady had seemed almost glad to be free from her introduction to him! He had caught the way she had glanced back over her shoulder towards him, had seen the flickering smile that had followed soon afterward, and had felt his ire grow strong.
Though, it was quite foolish to be so irritated, he had reminded himself on more than one occasion. He had met many a young lady, so why should he care if only one of them was not in the least bit eager to be introduced?
“You are sober minded indeed!” Lord Dunford frowned. “If it would be helpful, I could permit cards to begin a little earlier than I had otherwise anticipated.” Lord Dunford spread out his hands, though Henry quickly shook his head. “I do want you to be quite at home here this evening, and if cards would assist you then I would be glad to have it all set up at this very moment!”
“Oh, I am quite comfortable, I assure you, there is no need to make any changes.” Seeing that Lord Dunford was clearly a little concerned for him and, in his own mind, a little worriedthat such concern might be spoken of to others, Henry quickly smiled. “You are quite correct to state that it can be, at times, a little overwhelming when all of society knows that one is looking for a suitable match! And not to mention that I have been written about in The London Chronicle on more than one occasion.”
Lord Dunford chuckled ruefully. “I have seen that, I will admit. It is, I confess, some gentleman’s dream to be written about in such golden terms as you have been!”
Henry smiled briefly. “It is perhaps something I ought to consider in a different light.” He took a breath. “But I should return to the soiree. There is to be some excellent entertainment this evening, is there not? I have heard that you have planned something excellent for us.”
“Yes, yes, indeed! I have hired somerenownedactors to perform a magnificent play, though I shall not tell you what it is for fear that I shall spoil the performance!” Lord Dunford, seemingly quite pleased that he had managed to convince Henry to return to the soiree, rubbed his hands together. “If there is anything that you require, however, you must inform me of it. I will do whatever you wish.”
Henry shook his head but smiled with it. “Not at all, Lord Dunford. There is nothing that I require, though I thank you for your gracious consideration. You are an excellent host.”
This made Lord Dunford flush, and he quickly thanked Henry before leading him from the library, snapping his fingers so that the footman nearby came quickly to offer Henry a drink. Taking one, Henry nodded his thanks and, after a moment, quickly stepped away. Meandering through the crowd, he smiled briefly at one or two acquaintances as he made his way to the drawing room, aware of the delight that flashed through many an expression at his presence. He looked away from every younglady as quickly as he could, though he knew he could not avoid them forever.
“You have decided to rejoin us all, I see.” Lord Kendall stepped forward and, snagging Henry’s attention, offered a wry smile. “You found the many exclamations of delight at your arrival to be a little too much?”
“As you might have expected,” Henry muttered, taking a sip of his whisky before stepping back towards the wall of the drawing room. “You know very well that I have been a little… troubled of late.”
“Because you have not been able to find any young lady who can meet every single one of your expectations.”
Henry took another sip of his drink. “Indeed.”
“Then I – ”
“Good evening, Your Grace! How delightful to see you again.”
Henry let out a small, inward sigh before turning fully to greet a lady that he could not recall. “Good evening.” He inclined his head, just as Lord Kendall did the same. “I do hope you are enjoying the soiree? I hear that Lord Dunford has anexcellentplay for us this evening.” It was not the first time in these last two weeks that Henry had been unable to remember a lady’s face or title, but he had now become quite accustomed to being able to continue a conversation without requiring the need to do so. There were too many faces, too many names, and too many ‘how wonderful, Your Grace’, for him to be clear about who was who.
“Yes, it has been wonderful thus far. Now,” the lady continued, fluttering her fingers at him as though he were a bird she wished to catch, “I do hope that you will permit me to introduce you to my daughter? We did try to do so before but she was stolen away by another gentleman for one of the dances that evening. And when she returned, you had yourself stepped away to dance!”
A sudden tension flashed through Henry and he scowled, though quickly fought to take that out of his expression. He instantly recalled who it was that he was speaking with, remembered that it was none other than Lady Hampshire and her most disagreeable daughter – the one who had stepped away from him without permitting Lady Newton to make the formal introductions.
“Your Grace?” Lady Hampshire blinked, concern in her voice. “Is there something wrong? I do hope I have not said something wrong. I was only asking for an introduction to my daughter, though I am quite sure that you have had a good many introductions this evening alone!”
Lord Kendall chuckled, breaking the strain between Henry and Lady Hampshire. “You are quite right there, Lady Hampshire. Though I am sure another introduction will not do any harm?” He shot a sharp look towards Henry, pulling him out of his own irritation and forcing him to respond in as amiable manner as he could manage. Propriety demanded that he not only smile but nod, seeing the relief that swept into Lady Hampshire’s expression as he did so. “Yes, of course. I would be very glad to become acquainted with your daughter.”
“Oh, how wonderful. Thank you, Your Grace. Do excuse me for a moment, I shall return presently.”
Henry watched as Lady Hampshire scurried across the room, ignoring the sharp look that Lord Kendall was sending him, one that he could practically feel pressing into him. He knew very well that his irritation with the as yet unintroduced young lady was still very much present but he was also keenly aware that he could not permit such a thing to come out in either his expression or his manner.
“Thank you for waiting, Your Grace.” Lady Hampshire beamed at him, though the young lady in question did not appear to be in the least bit delighted in being present, giventhat she did not smile nor even raise her gaze to his. Instead, she was looking away, her lips a little flattened as she waited for her mother to make the introductions.
