Page 35 of The Earl's Error
“I can tell that you are looking directly at Miss Trentworth and, more than that, you are delighted by her arrival.”
Theodore tried to wipe the smile off his face but it seemed to stick tight, making Lord Castleton chuckle.
“I thought you suspected her!” he exclaimed, as Theodore winced. “I thought that you were quite sure she was involved! And now here we are, a fortnight later and your heart has utterly betrayed you.”
Deciding that it was of no merit to pretend, Theodore glanced at his friend, unwilling to take his gaze from Miss Trentworth. He could not lie to Lord Castleton, could not lie even to himself! Her arrival had made his heart leap up, his spirits lift in an instant and a broad smile to settle on his face.
He was delighted to see her.
“I think Miss Trentworth a very… interesting young lady.”
Lord Castleton rolled his eyes. “Is that all?”
No, it is not,Theodore thought silently, throwing a rueful grin at his friend.But I shall say nothing more than that.
“If you areinterestedin her, as you say, then why do you not ask to court her? I am sure that her father would be more than amenable.”
“I –” Theodore realized that he could not answer. There was no reason why he could not ask for such a thing, save for the fact that he could not be certain that Miss Trentworth would agree!
“I am sure that she would be delighted at such a request,” Lord Castleton stated, as though he had known exactly what Theodore had been thinking. “I see how her eyes search for you and I know how she will smile when your gazes finally meet.”
Theodore was about to tell his friend that he was imagining such a thing, only for the most beautiful smile to spread across Miss Trentworth’s face when she saw him. In response, Theodore found himself quite without words, able only to gaze back at her and admit silently that the only thing he wanted from this evening was to be in Miss Trentworth’s company. He heard and quickly ignored Lord Castleton’s clearing of his throat as well as the knowing smile that was shot in his direction when Miss Trentworth began to approach – all under the watchful eye of her mother.
“Lord Albury.” It sounded as though there was relief in Miss Trentworth’s voice, her hand reaching out to him only to then pull back. “It is good to see you this evening.”
“As it is to see you,” he answered, caring nothing for the fact that they had both quickly ignored Lord Castleton’s presence. “I do hope you are to dance this evening, for I should very much like to sign your dance card.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, of course. That is to say, while I should be glad to dance, I hope we might also be able to talk together for even a few minutes?”
Taking her dance card, Theodore nodded. “Of course.” He did not even hesitate, signing first the quadrille and then, the waltz. There was no need for him to deny what he felt, not evento her. If there was a connection here, then would he not be wise to pursue it?
“I thank you.” Taking the dance card back, she moved a little closer and Theodore caught a gentle sweetness of orange and spice, making his senses spin as her emerald eyes looked into his. “It would be good to have that conversation as soon as possible, Lord Albury.”
A thrill shot through him. “You mean to say that you have discovered something? Already?”
She glanced at Lord Castleton, seemingly uneasy in his presence even though, previously, she had told him how much she trusted him. “I have. My friends and I were at Hamilton and Sons yesterday afternoon and I have spent both some of yesterday and the majority of my time today in the great London library.”
The way she spoke, the slight heaviness in her tone, and the darting gaze sent towards Lord Castleton told Theodore that there was something significant here. Something that she felt she could not say in front of anyone else. His stomach twisted and he nodded his understanding, seeing her eyes fasten to his.
“After the quadrille, mayhap I shall take a little longer to return you to your mother,” he suggested, knowing that he could not easily take her to one side and have a private conversation for fear of being seen and rumors then begun. “The quadrille is the second dance so it will not be too long.”
“Indeed.” She smiled briefly but no light came into her eyes. “Is your mother present this evening, Lord Albury?”
Theodore nodded, his jaw tightening instantaneously. “She is, though she is here with my aunt. Ever since the loss of the necklace – and my upset over it all – my mother has been spending a good deal more time with her sister, though I think it may well be to avoid my anger and take some of her guilt from her.”
Miss Trentworth nodded, biting her lip gently as she looked all around her. Eventually, she returned her gaze to his. “After the quadrille,” she said, in a low voice. “Then I shall tell you all.”
Theodore watched as she walked away, his heart a mixture of confusion and longing. He wanted to be in her company for as long as he could but, at the same time, struggled to understand why she could not speak in front of Lord Castleton.
“I do hope she does not think thatIam in any way involved!”
Hearing the slight affront in Lord Castleton’s voice, Theodore put one hand on his friend’s shoulder. “I am sure she does not – and I do not think so either. It seems to me as though she does not want to say a word about her suspicions – or what she has determined – to anyone but myself. And that, I think, is very wise indeed.”
Lord Castleton’s demeanor changed in an instant, his shoulders dropping and a small flicker of relief in his eyes. “You are right, that will be why she appeared so. Though you must now be desperate to know what it is she wants to say!”
“I am,” Theodore admitted, his gaze returning to the lady’s retreat though now, he could not find her. “She has helped me a great deal already, Castleton, and I confess to feeling a good deal ashamed of myself for having ever considered her involved in any way.”
Lord Castleton smiled back at him as Theodore dropped his hand to his side again. “You need not be so,” he said, with a grin. “It seems to me that your connection with Miss Trentworth would not have grown to such an extent if it had not been for your determination to think her guilty!”
