Page 26 of The Duke of Ice
The music of her laughter soothed his spirit, and he nearly smiled. “You take care of the gentlemen—do what you can to show them that Simon is a good sort. Leave the women to me.” She wrinkled her nose. “I suppose I’ll have to talk with Lady Nixon and Mrs. Law. If I can gain their support of him, he’ll practically have carte blanche in Society.”
“If you could do that, he—I—would be eternally grateful.”
She stared up at him, her lips slightly parted. He felt a pull toward her, like a bee drawn to a bright, beautiful flower.
“It’s the least I can do,” she murmured. Her fingertips grazed his chest, and he had his answer—the connection was still there. “I’d do anything to help you. Or your friend. I’ll see you at dinner.”
She turned from him and left the room.
He watched her go, his body thrumming with long-suppressed arousal. Well, that had been unexpected. As was the sensation currently tripping through him—an interest in tomorrow.
* * *
He’d been married.
The information had shocked and saddened Violet—because he’d married someone other than her, but mostly because, like her, he’d lost his spouse. Had his union been happier than hers? She hoped so.
Such thoughts had taken over her brain since she’d seen him that afternoon. All through dinner, she’d stolen looks at him down the table where he’d sat beside Simon. Violet had asked Hannah to seat them together in the hope that Nick would be able to support their effort to elevate Simon’s reputation. It had seemed to work since that area of the table had been a source of laughter and general good cheer.
Violet slowly made her way to the drawing room. For her part on Simon’s behalf, she should talk with Lady Nixon and Mrs. Law. She wasn’t looking forward to it.
Hannah caught up to her just before they reached the doorway to the drawing room. Her smile was wide, and her eyes sparkled with joy. “Thank you ever so much, Violet. I don’t know what you did to improve His Grace’s disposition, but I daresay he was a different person at dinner.”
Violet had told her friend that she’d spoken briefly to Nick. She hadn’t elaborated about their past relationship. The habit of keeping that part of her history buried was long and difficult to break apparently. “I think he was just trying to gain his bearing. It’s been a long time since he attended a house party.”
“That makes perfect sense,” Hannah said. “Now, if the weather will just hold tomorrow so that we may have our archery contest.”
“I thought tomorrow was bowls.”
“In the afternoon. Again, if the weather cooperates.” She sighed. “This is what comes from hosting a house party in October.”
“October is a perfectly lovely month, and you aren’t competing with other parties.”
Hannah winked at her. “That was my primary objective, as you know. It does seem as though things are going well. Ice is warming up.” She laughed at her not-so-subtle pun. “And Ruin seems to be far more charming than his dark reputation would have us believe.”
“I agree. I couldn’t be more delighted to see his character redeemed.”
Hannah’s mother approached them. “If you’re speaking of the Duke of Romsey, do not get too optimistic. Lady Nixon and Mrs. Law are not convinced.”
Blast.Violet turned toward the drawing room and suppressed a grimace. “I will go and speak with them.”
“I doubt you’ll gain much ground,” Mrs. Parker said, shaking her head. She looked at Hannah in resignation. “Daughter, I know why you invited them, but I hope after this, you’ll decide it isn’t worth the aggravation.”
Hannah twisted her mouth and gave a small nod. “Yes, Mother.”
If Violet knew Hannah, her friend had no intention of leaving the likes of Lady Nixon and Mrs. Law out of future invitations, not if they gave her their stamp of approval. Accordingly, Violet ought to make sure that happened. “Please excuse me,” she said before taking herself into the drawing room.
A brief survey of the room showed that the ladies were holding a small court in their usual spot. They monopolized the largest seating area, each of them occupying two tall-backed, stuffed chairs. They were surrounded by most of the other ladies of the party, save the younger trio who were in their usual spot. Lady Lavinia looked at Violet in open invitation, and Miss Colton went so far as to beckon Violet with her hand. She smiled at them but shook her head very slightly. Gathering her courage—and patience—she strolled into the lionesses’ den.
“Lady Pendleton, how unexpected of you to join us this evening,” Mrs. Law said. “We’d thought you’d taken on the duty of chaperoning the young ladies.”
Anything to avoid sitting with you lot.Violet smiled blandly, then looked pointedly at Ladies Colton, Balcombe, and Kingman. “They’re lovely girls.”
“We do appreciate your solicitude,” Lady Balcombe said. “One can never have too many examples of grace and propriety.”
Propriety.Violet thought back to her own youth, specifically eight years ago. If they knew how she’d behaved with Nick, it would be an extraordinary scandal.
“Indeed,” agreed Lady Nixon with a sniff. Her pale blue eyes swiveled to Mrs. Law. “Especially when there are questionable individuals about.”
