Page 70 of Dancing with an Enigmatic Duke
Lord Dorsey slapped Edward on the back. “Good on ye, Lord Hawley. We knew that our lass would do well in London, even if she had her doubts.”
“Ye leave that poor man alone, Douglas,” a plump woman in a vibrant gown of greens and reds said as she joined them.
Lord Dorsey snatched the woman around the waist and yanked her into him. “This is my Missus, Lord Hawley.” He spoke to his wife in an affectionate tone. “I was just telling this fine lord about ye, Maggie.”
“I dannae know what Douglas has said, but I wager it is all a lie,” Maggie said with a shake of her head.
Edward found the couple rather entertaining as they were soon lost in an argument, forgetting he existed. He would normally be offended, but the argument appeared to be their normal mode of conversation. He bid them a good night when he got the chance and slipped away.
In his haste to escape the couple he inadvertently bumped into someone. He apologised out of habit before he noticed it was a young lady. Her dark hair was set against pale skin with striking blue eyes. For a moment he forgot himself before he blundered, “Forgive me for not paying better attention to my surroundings.” He had not been formally introduced to her and so he merely ducked his head and was soon past the striking young lady.
It was at that moment that Lord Pentworth called for everyone to attend him as he announced the engagement of Lord Torrington and Lady Callum. He joined in the round of applause despite his still bruised heart. Soon people were flocking to give the couple their wishes of good luck and happiness.
Edward knew that he really should add his own well wishes, but had he not already done so? Did he really need to do so publicly? He sighed and made his way to the throng of young ladies that held Lady Callum hostage.
Halfway to his destination he reconsidered his endeavour and went to find Lord Torrington instead. He was with Lord Grayson holding court near the refreshment table. Edward would have come forward right then, but Dowager Randall came to speak to them.
Edward hung back so he could avoid the dowager and found that the opportunity for a private word with the duke passed swiftly as others crowded around. As it was, he was relegated to standingen massewith several other men and toasting the duke’s future happiness. Still that counted, and Edward left the group feeling that he had done his part.
As he was making his way toward the outer hallway, a voice stopped his progress. “Lord Hawley, a word if you do not mind?”
He turned to see Lady Callum bustling toward him now free of her well wishers. His heart squeezed uncomfortably at the smile on her face. “Lady Callum, is something the matter?”
“Not at all,” she assured him. It was then that he noticed she was not alone. She held onto the hand of a young lady who was half hidden behind her. “Darla, come out from there,” Lady Callum chided. When the young lady consented, Lord Hawley recognised her as the young lady he had bumped into earlier. “Lord Hawley,” Lady Callum said with great ceremony. “I would like to introduce you to Lady Anderson. Lady Anderson, this is Lord Hawley, Lord Hawley.”
With her introduction made, Lady Callum took a step back to give Lady Anderson the full spotlight. Lady Anderson’s cheeks flamed pink as she dipped into a curtsey. “I am pleased to meet you, Lord Hawley.”
“It is an honour to meet a friend of Lady Callum,” Lord Hawley said, inclining his head to the young lady respectfully. Lady Callum gave him a meaningful look and Lord Hawley eyed her with confusion before looking back at Lady Anderson.
Lady Callum said, “Lady Anderson’s father works for the Royal Navy, does he not?”
“He does, Your Ladyship,” Lady Anderson said with nod. She and Lady Callum exchanged a look before the young lady continued, “Lady Callum tells me that you own a shipping supply company?”
Edward smiled. “Yes, I do. What does your father do for the navy?”
“Oh, he is a ship-builder.”
Lady Callum dipped her head as if taking her leave before she swiftly disappeared. Edward did not know what to say. He assumed Lady Anderson’s chaperone was around somewhere, but he felt a bit of a rogue talking to the lady alone.
Edward apologised. “Forgive me. I feel as though I should ask permission to speak with you from your guardian.”
Lady Anderson’s face dipped into a frown. “I suppose.”
“Is there an issue?” Edward did not think Lady Callum would have put either himself or Lady Anderson into an awkward position.
Lady Anderson wrung her hands together before she said softly, “It is just that most men seem to be put off by Aunt Myrtle.”
“I do not know that I am acquainted with her.”
Lady Callum suddenly re-appeared and, to Edward’s horror, beside her was Dowager Randall. “Lord Hawley, forgive me for leaving so abruptly earlier. I would like to introduce Lady Anderson’s aunt, Dowager Randall.”
Edward’s mind put together the word aunt and Dowager Randall, but he simply did not want to accept that the sweet Lady Anderson’s guardian was the old badger of a woman he saw before him. “I see,” Edward managed before he shook his head. “I mean, Dowager Randall, it is lovely to see you.”
“Lord Hawley,” Dowager Randall said, as though she had held him up to examination and found him not up to snuff. “You have met my niece, I see.”
Edward looked at Lady Anderson, who looked very much like she wanted to disappear. “I have had the honour of making her acquaintance by Lady Callum’s good grace, yes.”
Dowager Randall narrowed her eyes at him. “Do be aware that I am responsible for her and will not put up with any shenanigans, such as that Lord Victor has visited upon us.”
