Page 35 of The Duke of Ice
Which wasn’t to say he’d forgotten why his mood had soured. He blamed the time he’d spent with the toxic Lady Nixon and Mrs. Law. But he couldn’t ignore Violet’s role. Rather, his reaction to Violet.
Simon was seated next to her, which hadn’t helped his disposition. His friend couldn’t be romantically interested in her, could he? If so, Nick might have to say something. He couldn’t bear seeing them together.
But what if it made them happy? Would he want to stop that?
He reached for another drink of wine and was disappointed to find that his glass was empty. Thankfully, the luncheon was nearly finished.
Afterward, the guests would disperse, and Nick would retreat to his room. Mayhap he’d stay there through dinner too.
As they stood, his hostess, who’d been seated to his left, leaned close. “The younger set is meeting in the ballroom for some games this afternoon. You simplymustattend.” Mrs. Linford gazed up at him imploringly.
He wanted to tell her that hemustn’tdo anything he didn’t feel like, but she looked so eager, so expectant, that the words died on his tongue. Since when had he started caring about offending other people?
Instead, he challenged her. “Why?”
Surprised by his question, she jerked back slightly, blinking. “Because… It will be incredibly diverting. And you won a boon at the contest. This will be your chance to claim it.” She smiled broadly. “See? Youmust.”
All the other guests had filed from the dining room, leaving him alone with Mrs. Linford. Perhaps seeing that he was still undecided, she cast her head to the side. “I am a dear friend of Violet’s, as you may know. She also won a boon this morning, and it was her idea to have the games since we can’t go outside for bowls.” The rain had started just after the archery contest and hadn’t relented. “It would mean so much to me if you could support her endeavor. She’s had such misfortune, you see.” She brought her hand to her mouth as her eyes widened slightly. “Forgive me. I shouldn’t have said that.”
Curiosity seized hold of his judgment. He ought to go up to his room as he’d planned, but he suddenly couldn’t move. “What sort of misfortune?”
“I shouldn’t say.” She waved her hand but lowered her voice conspiratorially. “You’ll keep this between us?” At his nod, she continued. “She had a rather unhappy marriage—several children she couldn’t carry—and parties like this bring some joy into her lonely, solitary life.”
She was lonely?
What an asinine question. She was alone. Except that didn’t mean she was lonely.Hewasn’t lonely.
Her loneliness was only a part of it. More concerning was what she’d endured. When she’d left Bath without a word, he’d gone to her aunt and uncle, who’d informed him she was gone. He’d asked for her direction, but Violet’s aunt had told him to forget about her. Her uncle had been far kinder. He’d seemed genuinely sorry when he’d informed Nick that she was to wed Viscount Pendleton. He’d spent a great deal of energy wishing her unhappiness and misfortune. It seemed his wishes had come to fruition. Yes, he was fucking cursed.
“I’m sorry to hear what she suffered. I’d hoped her marriage was happy.” That was a lie, but in retrospect, given his own travails, he would’ve preferred she found contentment.
“As I said, I shouldn’t have revealed her secrets. You won’t say anything, will you?” Mrs. Linford wrung her hands.
“I will not.”
She exhaled with relief, her features softening. “And you’ll come to the ballroom?”
It seemed he must. “Yes.”
She smiled warmly, and they left together. “The ballroom is this way. It’s not really a ballroom but a very large reception room. We’ve used it for a ball or two.”
When they arrived, the room was already inhabited by, as Mrs. Linford had termed them, the younger set.
“Well, I’ll see you for dinner, then.” She turned to go.
“You aren’t staying?”
“I wish I could, but I need to see to the other guests. A hostess’s duties are never finished, I’m afraid.” With a slight wave of her hand, she departed in a swirl of bottle-green skirts.
Nick stepped into the room, and the conversation came to a halt.
“It’s about time,” Simon said with mock impatience. At least, Nick thought he was pretending. “Tell us, Lady Pendleton, what do you have planned?”
Violet looked around at everyone gathered, her gaze passing quickly over Nick. “I thought we might play some games. We can start with Kiss the Nun.”
One of the young women gasped and brought her hand to her mouth to cover a giggle.
“Since it’s my boon, I will choose the nun and the grate.” She peered at the others, her brow furrowed. “I choose Lady Lavinia as the grate and Miss Kingman as the nun.” Now she stared directly at Nick.
