Page 12 of The Duke of Ice
“I heard we will be allowed to take the boats out,” Lady Lavinia said to Miss Kingman. “Surely that will be diverting.”
Miss Kingman’s eyes lit with true anticipation. “Indeed it will.”
For some reason, it made Violet happy to see Miss Kingman’s enthusiasm. Perhaps the young woman reminded her of a past she’d tried to forget, of being a young woman with no choices. Violet would keep an eye on Miss Kingman for the duration of the party.
The gentlemen joined them then, filtering into the drawing room. The air in the space changed, becoming thicker and more charged as the volume climbed. Violet hadn’t meant to look for him, but there he was, one of the last to enter. He lingered by the door.
Nick didn’t look her way as he stood with the Duke of Romsey for a few minutes. Romsey left his side and made his way to another pair of gentlemen. Nick gravitated to the corner, where he gazed out over the drawing room with heavy-lidded eyes and his mouth pressed into a thin line of dispassion. There was only one word for what he was doing:brooding.
When—and more importantlywhy—had he learned to brood?
The young women had continued their chatter while Violet had taken on the role of observer.
“You should go talk to him,” Miss Colton urged.
“Who should?” Violet asked.
“Either of them,” Miss Colton said with a wave of her hand. “Lavinia probably. She’s the most vivacious, I think.” She darted a look toward Miss Kingman, who kept casting surreptitious looks in Nick’s direction. “But Diana seems as though she wants to…” Miss Colton’s voice trailed off.
“I’m going.” Lady Lavinia stood up, her mouth set with determination and her spine straight. She was a bit taller than average, and her pale yellow dress draped her slender frame to perfection. She smoothed the silk, perhaps nervously, before embarking to the opposite side of the room.
“We mustn’t stare,” Violet said, despite following the young woman’s progress. Violet’s breath caught as Lady Lavinia stopped in front of Nick. His pale gaze swept over her, but his features registered nothing resembling interest. In fact, they didn’t register anything at all.
Miss Colton swung her head back around toward Violet. “I can’t watch.”
Violet tore her gaze away. “Perhaps you should go speak with Mr. Seaver,” she said encouragingly to Miss Colton. Since everyone had been dutifully introduced after arriving earlier, it was perfectly appropriate for her to do so.
The young lady’s attention pivoted to the man in question. He stood near the windows in conversation with Mr. Stinnet, an older fellow with an entirely bald pate. “I don’t think I’m brave enough to interrupt them.”
“I could go with you,” Violet offered. She could see herself guiding these young women over the next week and decided that might be rather nice.
“Lavinia is coming back,” Miss Kingman said.
Violet and Miss Colton snapped their heads in that direction. Lady Lavinia was indeed returning, her face flushed and her eyes a bit wide. When she sat down in her vacated seat, it was clear she was flustered.
“What happened?” Miss Colton asked in alarm.
“He was rather…abrupt.” Lady Lavinia seemed to take great pains not to look in his direction.
“What did he say?” Violet asked, curiosity burning inside her. The Nick she’d met eight years ago in Bath had been charming and witty. Absolutely irresistible.
“Barely anything. I asked if he liked to fish.”
Violet recalled that he did. Very much, in fact.
“He said the only fishing he cared to do was in the lake tomorrow.” Lady Lavinia blinked at them. “I said, ‘Of course. What other fishing would there be?’ He snorted then, and asked if I wasn’t fishing right then. He told me to swim back to the shallow end.”
Violet snapped her head toward Nick. He was staring at her, his pale eyes familiar and yet unrecognizable. He shifted his gaze away. Slowly, as if he didn’t care that she’d caught him staring. She looked back to Lady Lavinia. “Are you all right?”
She nodded and pressed a hand to her cheek. It was still a bit pink and likely warm. “Yes. I daresay I won’t be doingthatagain.” She laughed nervously. “When he said I was fishing, what did he mean?” she asked Violet.
Violet suppressed a frown. “I’m not certain, but I believe he was referring to husband hunting.”
Miss Colton’s shoulders twitched. “I’m ever so glad I didn’t go with you!”
Miss Kingman cast him a look tinged with curiosity. “Heisthe Duke of Ice. What did you expect?”
Violet was more eager than ever to know how he’d attained that nickname. Whatever the reason, it didn’t give him permission to behave in such a boorish manner. Without thinking, she stood and stalked toward his corner.
