Page 54 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
The sort of people Great-Uncle Tom would mutter about asnot good ton.
He locked up the cottage andreturned to his phaeton. The night was unusually warm given how bad the weather had been this summer and, since the moon was full, he had decided to drive himself.
At the point where the lane joined the main road, he hesitated. Did he really want to go to this party? Was he really unable to resist the lure of this woman?
Devil take it. He had already made this decision. He was going.
He turned left, passing through the village of Chelsea and turning into the drive of the Anderson mansion.
The windows at the front of the house were ablaze with the light of candles, and several carriages were parked along the edge of the driveway.
He could hear the sounds of music and chatter as he pulled up. It seemed the ball was not inside the house but outdoors.
After leaving his equipage with a groom, he walked around the side of the house rather than entering by way of the front door. The terrace and the garden beyond were lit by lanterns hanging from trees and posts. Couples were waltzing on the flagstones to the music of an orchestra who were inside the house beyond the open French windows, while groups of people chatted and mingled on the lawn.
It reminded him of Vauxhall without all the hoopla.
A waiter approached him with a tray and he helped himself to a flute of champagne. Very good champagne.
‘Your Grace?’ A stout balding gentleman approached him, beaming. ‘Anderson, at your service.’ He boweddeeply. ‘How good of you to come. My wife will be delighted.’
No doubt. ‘Thank you for your invitation. I regret I did not reply. My secretary is away on family business at the moment.’
‘Oh, no need to worry about that, Your Grace. You are always welcome.’
Xavier stifled a yawn. It would be more interesting if just once someone told him to leave. ‘Thank you.’
‘Let me introduce you to some of our guests. Some are inside dancing, but most are out here in the garden where it is cooler.’
Xavier glanced around. ‘No need. I believe I know most people here.’
‘Well. I do not believe you have met my wife.’ Anderson led him to a dark-haired woman as thin as Anderson was corpulent. ‘My dear, His Grace the Duke of Derbridge is here.’
The woman spun around. She curtseyed deeply, clearly trying to hide her surprise. ‘Your Grace. What an honour.’
‘You have a fine night for a party,’ he said.
Her face lit up. ‘To be honest, we did not plan to be outdoors. It was only at the last minute this afternoon, when I realised how warm it was, that I asked our butler to see if he could put up some lights. He has worked wonders, I must say.’
‘Indeed he has.’
Xavier could not stop himself fromlooking around. Trying to see if the woman he had been thinking of all day was here.
‘He will be delighted by your compliment, Your Grace.’
What? Who? Oh, yes. The butler. ‘Good.’ He heard a distant splash. ‘Your property runs down to the river?’
‘It does. Some of the young people are punting. I am a little concerned about how safe it is in the dark, but you know young people. I should introduce you to our daughter. She can take you down there if you wish.’ She scanned the lawn. ‘Now where has she gone? She was here a moment ago. I will find her for you.’
Exactly what he needed. An introduction to another young female in search of a titled husband.
‘Do not trouble yourself. I will find my own way.’ He bowed and wandered off, aware that Mrs Anderson would no doubt scurry off to find the missing daughter to announce the news of his miraculous appearance.
He should not have come.
That was the trouble with those who lived at the edge of theton. They didn’t understand that a Duke was not a prize stallion waiting to be put to the stud at their convenience.
Which was maybe what made the Countess so interesting. She made no effort to attract his attention. In fact, quite the opposite.
