Page 81 of The Duke's Unclaimed Bride
Edith gave his hand one last squeeze before walking off into the crowd. She glided across the floor. It was like she was in her element, where she was always meant to be.
Tilly spotted a group of ladies and also squeezed Laurence’s hand. “I’m going to speak to them,” she said with a big smile.
“Would you like me to accompany you?” Laurence asked.
Tilly considered it for a moment and then shook her head. “I want to prove that I can be good on my own,” she declared, her big brown eyes flashing with determination.
Laurence’s smile grew. “I am sure you will be,” he said reassuringly, patting her on the back.
She beamed up at him and began to walk toward the group.
Once she was five paces away, Laurence quietly trailed behind her, just to confirm that the ladies would treat her with respect.
“Good evening, ladies. Thank you all for joining us tonight,” Tilly said as she reached the group.
The ladies turned to look at her and smiled.
“Oh, what a charming young lady you are!” one with a green fan cooed.
“And so well mannered,” another in a blue dress said.
“I do my very best.” Tilly beamed.
“Who taught you to be so lovely?” the one with the green fan asked.
“That would be His Grace and Her Grace,” Tilly replied with a smile. “I am their daughter, after all. They have also provided me with a very good governess.”
“His Grace as well?” the lady in the blue dress asked skeptically.
“Indeed.” Tilly nodded. “He has shown me how to act with grace and decorum, even when I am afraid. He has protected me from storms, and he makes sure I am always safe. Her Grace has always made sure that I am polite, kind, and charming. His Grace makes sure I am brave.”
Laurence’s heart thudded in his chest. He had never thought that Tilly would praise him so earnestly. The ladies also seemed shocked, but smiled widely, nonetheless.
“We are so glad to hear that His Grace is good to you,” the lady in the blue dress said. “Could you tell us about the works Her Grace is fundraising for?”
“Certainly!” Tilly’s eyes lit up, her smile widening, then launched into a discussion about the orphanage and the hospital.
Laurence beamed and stepped away, satisfied that Tilly was in no danger of being mocked.
Looking around the room, he saw others engaged in conversation. Edith was talking to another group of nobles, and James was laughing in a corner with someone. He knew he also needed to do his part.
He took a breath and made his way toward some of the gathered nobles and forced himself to smile.
“Good evening, thank you for joining us,” he greeted.
The men turned to him, seeming a little surprised that he had addressed them.
One man, Lord Harrington, cleared his throat. “Indeed, I did not expect to be invited,” he said with a nod.
“And why is that?” Laurence asked.
“Well, the last time I saw your wife, I may have…” Lord Harrington hesitated. “I may have been having a difficult day and was less than kind. I am so relieved that that doesn’t seem to have diminished her opinion of me.”
Laurence nodded. Of course, he knew this was the man Edith had to pay for the statue that Tilly broke.
“Well, my wife does not appear to be one to hold grudges,” he said. “And I can assure you that she will feel much better about that interaction after tonight.”
“A-After tonight?” Lord Harrington echoed.
