Page 16 of The Truth about the Duke
She nodded, returned his smile, and made to leave, only for the Duke of Melrose to reach out and catch her hand.
“Wait.”
A streak of fire tore up her arm and sent panic into her heart as she pulled her fingers out of his. Swallowing, she glanced at Lord Kendall but he was frowning hard, seemingly as confused as she was.
“I – I need to apologize.” The Duke closed his eyes, his breathing ragged. “I spoke harshly to you and I must now apologize for it.”
Lydia blinked in surprise. “Your Grace?”
“In the park, at the fashionable hour. I spoke sharply and without consideration and I can see that it must have been hurtful, despite your seeming lack of regard for my words.” He held her gaze steadily as he drew himself up to standing tall again, his breathing seeming to slow and settle. “I sincerely apologize, Lady Lydia. I ought not to have said anything of the sort to you.”
This was so utterly unexpected that for a long time, Lydia did not know what to say. She simply gazed back at the Duke, wondering if he was intending to laugh at her when she accepted his apology, wondering if he meant to throw those words back in her face. But when he shook his head and looked away, rubbing one hand over his chin, slowly, she began to believe him.
“I am grateful to you for your acknowledgment of that,” she said, her voice soft from surprise. “I will not pretend that I was not affected by what you said, Your Grace.”
He looked back at her. “It will not happen again.”
Lydia blinked, nodded, and then made to step away, only for something to tug at her heart. She looked back at the Duke, seeing how troubled he appeared and how his friend continued to frown in what, to her, looked like confusion and concern over the Duke’s manner.
“Might I be so bold as to ask whether you are quite well, Your Grace?”
The Duke let out a quiet snort, his fingers pushing through his hair now. “No, I am not, Lady Lydia, but that is not your concern.”
She frowned. “I am well aware of that, but I am only expressing concern for you.”
“There is nothing you can do,” he answered, looking to Lord Kendall now. “Nothinganyof you can do. It is only I who can discover if what has been written is true.”
A sudden fear clasped at Lydia’s heart. “What has been written?”
He waved one hand at her, beginning to pace up and down the library. “You know of what I speak, I am sure. For everyone in thetonappears to have read The London Chronicle today.”
Chapter Seven
Earlier that same evening.
Henry smiledinto Lady Judith’s eyes. She was, he considered, very beautiful indeed, though he did consider her conversation a little lacking. At times, he caught her glancing at her mother or her father, perhaps in the hope that they would help guide the conversation when she could not. Though, mayhap, she was merely a little overwhelmed by his presence and he could well understand that. He was a Duke, after all.
“And I hear you are well acquainted with our host for this evening, Your Grace?” she asked, as Henry nodded. “Are you related to the Marquess of Montrose?”
Henry smiled. “I think we are vaguely related but in truth, I cannot recall the connection. He hails from Scotland but comes to London for the Season every year, or so I have heard! His son, Lord Gellatly, is nearer to my age whereas Lord Montrose himself was well connected to my father.”
“I see.” Lady Judith did not seem to know what to say now, her eyes drifting away from him, and Henry, seeing it, let a small frown dart across his forehead.
“Might I interrupt? I know it is dreadfully rude of me but all the same, I feel as though I must do so!” When another gentleman came to join the conversation, Henry felt himself a trifle irritated, particularly when Lady Judith’s eyes lit up with clear delight at seeing him. Henry tried his best not to let his scowl etch itself across his face in the way that it wished, reminding himself that this gentleman had just as much right to speak to Lady Judith as he.
“Lord Telford, are you acquainted with the Duke of Melrose?”
Henry waited for the fellow to shake his head, only for his eyebrows to lift as the gentleman nodded.
“Yes, I am.” He bowed his head. “Good evening, Your Grace.”
“Good evening, Lord Telford.” Having no knowledge or insight coming to him about this fellow, Henry inclined his head and chose to step back. “I shall excuse myself and leave you to your conversation. Good evening.”
Keeping a smile on his face, Henry made his way from Lady Judith’s side, thinking to himself that he might go to call upon her to take tea the following day, only for another young lady to come towards him. Henry frowned, only to realize that he was already acquainted with this lady.
“Lady Markham.” Glad that he had recalled her name, Henry bowed. “Good evening.”
“Good evening, Your Grace.” There was a slight tightness in her expression and, much to Henry’s surprise, she came to step a little closer to him, her eyes searching his. “Might I say, Your Grace, that I am surprised to hear that you would speak so callously and unfeelingly to a young lady such as Lady Lydia?”
