Page 61 of Oddity of the Ton
“Your friendhasbeen enjoying herself, Lady Marlow,” Monty said. “We’ve been dancing, have we not, Miss Howard?”
Lady Marlow’s eyes widened. “Dancing? Not under duress, I hope.”
Miss Howard’s color deepened. “N-no,” she said. “I didn’t want to, at first, but His Grace was kind enough to show me the steps—and everyone else was so friendly.”
“Everyone?” Lady Marlow shot Monty a look and raised her eyebrows.
Really!The woman sounded like an inquisitor. If she had her way, he’d doubtless be stretched out on a rack, answering her questions under torture. Part of him admired her for championing Miss Howard, even though her barbs were directed at him.
“We danced in a set of six, with the Westburys, together with Westbury’s son and Mrs. Trelawney,” Monty said.
“Oh—the wine merchant’s wife!” Lady Marlow nodded. “She’s charming. As are the Westburys. That was lucky.”
“It wasdeliberate—not luck,” Monty said. “Westbury is a friend, and he was happy to oblige me and my fiancée.”
Lady Marlow’s eyes widened. “Yourwhat? Eleanor—is this true?”
Miss Howard’s eyes glistened with moisture.
“Forgive me, Lavinia, I thought you knew—it happened a few days ago. I should have—”
“Andyouoffered for her, Whitcombe?” Lady Marlow continued. “What nonsense is this?”
Monty drew Miss Howard toward him, his heart aching at how violently her body trembled. “It’s not nonsense, Lady Marlow. Do you think your friend unworthy of a suitor?”
“Of course not, butyou, of all men…” Lady Marlow shook her head, then turned to her husband. “Did you know about this, Peregrine?”
“No, my love, I’m not one to listen to gossip.”
“Nonsense!” Lady Marlow scoffed. “You always have your ear to the ground—and news as astonishing as this would have—”
“That’s enough, Lavinia,” Marlow said. His wife’s eyes widened at the firmness in his voice. Then she let out a sigh.
“Forgive my outburst,” she said. “Please accept my congratulations, Eleanor.”
“Thank you,” Miss Howard said. “I’m only sorry I didn’t tell you myself.”
Lady Marlow glanced back at Monty, the challenge still in her expression. Then she extended her hand.
“You’ve chosen well, Your Grace,” she said. “I trust you’ll give me no cause for concern about whether my friend has done the same.”
Not particularly congenial—but preferable to having his balls sliced off.
“Now the pleasantries are over,” Lord Marlow said, a hint of amusement in his voice, “we should find you somewhere to sit, my love—and perhaps something to drink?”
“Very well,” Lady Marlow said. “Eleanor, would you accompany me?”
“Let me find you a quiet spot,” Monty said. Taking Miss Howard’s hand, he steered her toward a secluded corner where two young men were sitting—Lord Meredith’s twin sons. They stared as he approached, amusement in their eyes as their gazes fell upon Miss Howard.
In fact, most of the company tonight, save the Westburys, had regarded Miss Howard with amusement. Rather than the bright colors and bejeweled headdresses favored by the other ladies tonight, she wore a dress of muted green tones, and a small posy in her hair fashioned from leaves and grasses. Eccentric by most standards, but she’d chosen well, for the ensemble emphasized the color of her eyes. Bright silks overwhelmed her complexion. But against the soft green tones of her dress, her skin seemed to glow, rendering her extraordinarily beautiful. Not a conventional beauty by any means, but all the more desirable for it.
And her beauty went unnoticed by the insolent young bucks who remained in their seats.
“Have you no manners?” Monty demanded.
The elder of the two opened his mouth to respond, but his brother nudged him, then stood. “Forgive us, Your Grace.”
“It’s notmyforgiveness required,” Monty said.
