Page 73 of The Duke of Lies
“Verity far exceeds anything I imagined marriage to be. She and Beau mean everything.” He looked Simon in the eye. “I’ll do anything to protect them—and what we have.”
“Your secret is safe here.” Simon clasped his bicep in a firm, brief grip of friendship. “You’re family now.”
* * *
Kit in crispblack evening clothes was just about the most arousing thing Verity had ever seen. It seemed she wasn’t alone in that estimation since nearly every woman in the ballroom kept sneaking glances in his direction. Only some weren’t sneaking. They were blatantly staring and clearly discussing him with their companions.
When she and Kit had entered a short time ago, the room had fallen silent save the music playing in the opposite corner, but conversation had struck up almost immediately, and it was obvious they were the primary topic. Everyone was eager to see the long-lost Duke of Blackburn. She wasn’t sure they even saw her at all.
They’d arrived with Simon and Diana, who were greeted with the occasional nod and smile. Moving to the side of the ballroom, Simon clapped Kit on the shoulder. “Welcome to London, where notoriety is the best currency. And right now, you’re the richest man in the room. Can’t say I’m sorry to pass on the honor.”
Diana gave Verity an apologetic glance, but Verity shook her head. “I’m glad to divert attention from you.”
“What am I missing?” Kit asked.
“I’m the Duke of Ruin, remember?” Simon said. “Furthermore, my lovely wife was previously engaged to my best friend. It was a bit of a scandal when they both married other people.” His gaze focused across the ballroom. “Ah, here come Nick and Violet now.”
Verity, her hand still tucked around Kit’s arm, gave him a squeeze. “You can see why Society has been focused on them.”
“That and the antics surrounding that other fellow.” Simon looked toward Diana. “The Duke of Seduction?”
Diana nodded. “It hasn’t been a dull Season, to be sure.”
Nick and Violet smiled in greeting as they approached, and Violet leaned over to kiss Diana’s cheek.
“Allow me to present my dearest friend, the Duke of Kilve,” Simon said. “Though I’ll give you leave to call him Nick, whether he likes it or not. Nick, this is the Duke of Blackburn.”
Kit offered his hand to Nick, and Verity finally let go of his arm. She should have done so already, but she found herself wanting to make sure everyone in the ballroom knew he belonged toher.
“Pleased to meet you,” Kit said.
“This is my wife, Violet. If you’re calling me Nick, you’d best be on the same familiar terms with her.”
Violet took Verity’s hand. “I’ve heard so much about you from Diana. I feel as if I already know you.”
“She’s told me of you too,” Verity said. “I’m so glad she has such a good friend here in London.”
“She has several,” Violet said. “Not everyone here is shallow or unkind. And we’ll be sure to point out to you which ones are.” She gave Verity a conspiratorial wink.
Verity was pleased to have allies in such a foreign place. Over the next half hour or so, they met various people, and her head was soon swimming with names and faces she wasn’t sure she could possibly remember.
Somehow, they’d split into two groups, with the women together and the men together. The latest arrival to their group was the charming Duchess of Kendal. About ten years Verity’s senior, she was charming and kind and clearly well connected. “Now, Duchess,” she said to Verity, “you mustn’t pay attention to gossip and rumors. There are quite a few circulating about you and Blackburn just now, particularly about Blackburn.”
Verity’s brow puckered. “What are they saying? Not because I care, but because it’s better to be forewarned.”
“True,” Diana agreed.
The Duchess of Kendal gave Verity a supportive smile. “Remember, these are just rumors. Though Blackburn’s prior visit to London was brief, he established quite areputationfor himself, apparently.”
Verity could well imagine what that might be—probably drink and perhaps gambling. Had he been violent at all? “He was, ah, different before he disappeared.”
“Again, don’t pay them too much mind, but when you notice so many women staring at him, now you know why.”
Verity couldn’t resist darting a glance toward him and instantly felt a pull to move to his side. “Because he’s incredibly handsome?”
Diana exchanged a look with the Duchess of Kendal. “I think Nora meant something specific by reputation. I believe she means he carried on affairs.”
“Affairs may be too formal a word,” Nora said gently. “He was known for rather loose behavior. I’d stay clear of Mrs. Walthorpe if I were you.”
