Page 10 of Dancing with an Enigmatic Duke
“You had better hang onto him, then,” Nash said with a chuckle. “A man with a green thumb like that is a rare gem.”
Lady Heaton sat eating quietly so as not to interrupt them. It was the way most young ladies tend to be taught, and Nash was grateful for it in that instant. At least, if he could keep her father talking, then he would have to interact with her minimally.
Nash thought he might actually get through the luncheon without having to give any assurances to the woman for the coming season, but her father was more of an astute man than he proclaimed himself to be. As Nash rose to take his leave, Lord Daventry spoke up. “We will look forward to seeing you this coming season, Your Grace. My daughter is scheduled to be debuting this year.”
“I am certain she shall have no problem filling up her dance card,” Nash said with a generous smile at the young lady, who beamed at the compliment but daintily hid it behind her hand.
Lord Daventry nodded. “Yes, she has already received visits from several young gentlemen who wish to get their names in good standing with me ahead of the balls.”
Nash knew what Lord Daventry’s game was, but little did he know that Nash was not playing. Nash inclined his head. “Well, I am certain that I shall see you both during the season.”
It was not an offense. It was not a slight. It merely was an acknowledgment. Lord Daventry knew it as it was and had no choice but to just nod along with him. Nash bowed to Lady Heaton. “I wish you the best in your endeavours, Lady Heaton. Lord Daventry, thank you for a lovely meal and a fine conversation.”
“Thank you for attending us, Your Grace,” Lord Daventry said as his daughter curtseyed.
Nash left the Daventry residence feeling light. He had evaded his mother’s trap, and he had done so without directly slighting anyone. Part of him wondered just how angry his mother would be once word reached her that Nash had not thrown himself at Lady Heaton’s feet to beg a place on her dance card. The idea made the ride back to his office a pleasant one even with the shouts of pedestrians and the frequent stops that marked the peak traffic time in London.
Chapter 3
Emmeline peered at herself in the mirror on her dressing table. Harcourt had commanded her to go shopping, but she had no enthusiasm for such things. She knew precious little of fashion, especially the kind she was supposed to exemplify if she were to succeed in the London season.
“Are you still fretting, Miss?” Jasmine came in with two dresses over her arm, which she placed into Emmeline’s closet.
“I know it seems absurd, but Scotland feels like a distant world from London. What is fashionable in London hardly figured into my life before this moment.”
“I understand,” Jasmine said with a comforting smile as she finished her work. She turned to Emmeline. “I suppose His Lordship is not as understanding.”
Emmeline gave a harsh laugh. “My brother thinks I am insane. Apparently, all women should want to go shopping and gossip. I fear I am not a woman by London standards.”
Jasmine grinned broadly. “Oh, Miss, you are certainly a woman. Now, not all women are as pre-occupied with such things. Perhaps it is your brother who is misguided.”
“No. I fear he is right. That is the worst part.” Emmeline shook her head. “What shall I acquire? What shall I need? Do I need a dress for every ball? Are their certain materials that I should avoid?”
“I am afraid that I can’t help you with that, Miss.”
“This is my problem,” Emmeline said with a dramatic sigh. “I shall go fling myself at my brother’s feet and beg his mercy. Perhaps he will send me away to a convent.”
Jasmine tried to hide a laugh, which made Emmeline smile. “My apologies, Miss.”
“No. It is good to laugh. After all, I am being quite silly about it all.” Emmeline lifted her arms in a helpless gesture. “It is just going to some shops and getting measured and such. What is the big commotion? Nothing.”
Jasmine came over to stand beside Emmeline. She eyed her in the mirror. “Anything that is new is bound to be a bit hard. His Lordship will understand, and he might even help.”
“Perhaps,” Emmeline said with a frown. She drew herself up. “I shall go see him at once.” She set off to find her brother before she could second guess herself. She cornered the butler in the foyer. “Gerald, have you seen Lord Pentworth?”
“He is in the library, My Lady,” Gerald said with a dip of his head. “It is down this hallway to the right.” He waved his hand towards a hallway that seemed to go under the stairs that led to the floor above.
Emmeline smiled. “Thank you so much, Gerald.” She set off trying to picture herself as bold and brave. It had worked when she was a child, and it seemed to help a touch now.
Her bold adventure led her to the lair of her brother. The library was a wide room with books stretching toward the ceiling all the way from the floor. “Harcourt,” Emmeline called out.
“Ahoy,” called her brother’s voice and Emmeline looked up to see him halfway up a ladder peering at a book. “What is it that I can do for you, Emme?”
Emmeline up at him. “I have come to talk to you of this shopping trip you have me assigned to undertake.”
“What about it? Surely you can have nothing against shopping?” Harcourt said as he came down the ladder with a book in his hand.
She followed him to a desk in the corner where he deposited the book. “Shopping is all well and good, but I am afraid that I must confess that being from Scotland, I have very little knowledge of what is fashionable here in London.”
