Page 44 of Dancing with an Enigmatic Duke
“I still do not see why I have to go to that party.” His father sounded as eager as Nash was.
Nash gave him a sympathetic look. “Unfortunately, I do not think even hiding here will prevent that.” He turned and left his father to his thoughts.
Once he was back in his study, it took his mother exactly one minute to locate him. “Have you seen your father?”
“I do believe he went for a walk,” Nash said very helpfully. “While he is out, perhaps you would care to tell me if you shall be riding with myself to the party or will you and Father ride separately?”
His mother took a moment to consider the question. “I think we should all ride together. Leaving early would be too much of a temptation for your father if he had his own carriage, and it would look poorly upon us.” She straightened her bonnet and asked, “Will her family be in attendance as well?”
“I think you have met Lord Pentworth on plenty of occasions, Mother.” Nash picked a paper up out of the bin for him to look through.
She frowned. “Has she no other family?”
“She might have distant relations, but none that have any sway when it comes to marriage. Her parents both died not so long back, and it is just her brother left.” Saying the words aloud made the reality of Lady Callum’s position clearer to Lord Torrington than perhaps it was before. He frowned at how lonely all it sounded.
His mother shook her head. “That poor girl,” she whispered. “To lose one’s mother before you can wed and bear children. She must be so lost and afraid of what is to come in her life with no one there to guide her.”
“She seems to be coping well,” Nash assured her.
After a moment, she nodded. “I shall go and see if I cannot find your father.”
“Enjoy your walk,” Nash said with a smile. After his mother had gone, he sighed. That would take care of her for a while. She would search the whole of the estate if she had to, and she might very well have to if his father chose to not come out of hiding.
He managed to catch up on his paperwork before he went upstairs to change.
Charles greeted him at the top of the stairs. “I saw your mother and father come in, Your Grace.”
“I am grateful they made it back. I did not wish to go and round them up,” Nash said with a nod.
***
Lady Grayson greeted them personally at the door. “Good evening, Your Grace. Oh, Lydia, you look wonderful. Your Lordship, you look remarkably robust today. Have you been trying one of those new tonics?”
“No, I just walked half the estate today,” Nash’s father said with amusement.
Nash suppressed a grin as he gave the doorman a friendly nod. Inside he found their host. “Lord Grayson, how are you?”
“I am well. Would be better if I were playing cards,” Lord Grayson said as he nudged Nash in the ribs.
“There will be no card-playing until after dinner. Then you men can retire if you wish,” Lady Grayson called, as if to remind her husband of proper etiquette.
Lord Grayson sighed. “Well, you heard the lady of the house. Off we go to the dining room.”
Nash and another man, who was waiting nearby, fell into step with Lord Grayson. He cleared his throat and Lord Grayson stopped abruptly. “Where are my manners? Lord Torrington, this is the Baron of Morton. Lord Victor, this is Lord Torrington.”
“I say, a duke.” Lord Victor looked over at Nash as if he were most impressed. “I did not expect such esteemed company tonight, no offense meant, Lord Grayson.”
Lord Grayson grunted. “Offense very much is taken, Lord Victor. But do not fluff your shirt up too much about it. I have friends all through the social ranks, as you will learn.”
“I have known Lord Grayson since I was but a pup,” Nash said with a smile at the newcomer. “Are you newly moved to London?”
Lord Victor nodded. He fidgeted terribly with his lapel. “Newly titled, as well. All of this is a bit much.”
“It will be old hat before long,” Nash assured him. “Father, good of you to join us.”
Nash’s father reached the younger men and grasped Lord Grayson’s hand. “Grayson, it is nice to see you. How is your brother doing?”
“Oh, you know Donald. He does not even have to try, and he stumbles into great luck. Come on to the dining room and I will tell you of all his adventures in Asia.”
