Page 26 of Defending the Duke (The St. Clairs 4)

“If you’re looking for my nephew, he bypassed the receiving line and headed straight for the card room.”

Laurel heard disapproval in Lady Constance’s voice.

“He is a good man but, like his father, he can be difficult at times,” she continued.

“He’s forbidden me to be your friend,” Lady Hannah blurted out. “Aunt Constance told me to ignore him, though.”

Shock filled Laurel. The duke had come to her rescue the previous evening. Yet she understood immediately.

“Your brother doesn’t wish to lessen your chances at making a good match,” she said. “If you are friendly with me, the stain of gossip could smear your reputation.”

“He’s my half-brother—and he doesn’t care a thing about me,” Lady Hannah said, her eyes swelling with tears. “You have half-brothers and they treat you as a whole sister.”

“Now is not the time, Child,” Hannah’s aunt chided gently. “This is Lady Laurel’s night.”

“I’m sorry,” the young woman said. “But you are my friend. I will not abandon you.”

With that, the two women stepped aside and another introduction was pressed upon Laurel. She greeted the newcomer with a smile but her heart ached. She thought she’d made a true friend in Hannah Godwin but she would never interfere in a family matter. If the Duke of Linfield didn’t wish them seeing one another socially, she must adhere to his wishes and not jeopardize Hannah’s chances at finding the right husband.

The line finally emptied and she rubbed her temples, a headache forming. She saw Catherine glance at her with concern and lowered her hands, giving her sister-in-law a ready smile.

“I’ve so many names to remember,” she said brightly. “I better go and put to use the ones I’ve managed to retain.”

Laurel stepped away and into the ballroom. Immediately, she was surrounded by a swell of people. All men, she noted. No other women but Hannah had been overly friendly last night. Her heart told her that she would need to depend upon her St. Clair sisters as her only friends. They were all married and could weather the storm of her origin. It saddened her, though, because she had truly felt an affinity with Lady Hannah and even Lady Constance.

She also thought it downright rude for Linfield to skip the receiving line, thinking his avoidance of her proved poor manners on his part. Linfield was a guest in the Everton home and should have behaved better, especially since he was previously acquainted with Jeremy.

Her programme filled more quickly than the evening before and Laurel put aside her feelings. She let the music take her away from her troubles. Several of her partners complimented her on her graceful dancing. She smiled and thanked them. None of them said much more than that. She doubted any of them wished to know her. She was merely an object of curiosity. A sudden, overwhelming loneliness filled her.

“You seem pensive,” a voice said.

Laurel turned and found Lord Aubrey standing before her, looking splendid in his evening wear.

“It’s a busy night,” she said vaguely as he led her to the center of the room.

As they danced, she decided to speak frankly to him and said, “I know you are a great friend of the St. Clair family and have been for many years.”

“Amanda and I spent many hours playing with them.”

“Just because there is a longstanding friendship between the two families, please don’t feel obligated to act friendly with me.”

He frowned. “Are you not pleased to dance with me, my lady?”

“You are a marvelous dancer and you know it, my lord. I merely am letting you know that you don’t have to pay special attention to me, merely because of the connection you feel with the other St. Clairs.”

He stopped moving his feet, bringing them to a standstill. Laurel panicked because she knew it would draw attention.

“Please. Keep dancing,” she whispered, not disguising the urgency in her request.

“As you wish.”

He continued and she hoped their brief pause went unnoticed. Already, she had enough gossip surrounding her and didn’t need more fuel added to that fire.

As the music died away, Aubrey said, “Let me make one thing clear. I asked you to dance because I wanted to. Not out of any sense of obligation.”

With that, he took her arm and led her from the ballroom to where the buffet had been set up. Tables with varying sizes had been brought in and Lord Aubrey led her to one which only seated two.

“I believe Catherine wanted—”

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