Page 10 of The Duke Meets His Match

Susan said nothing, feeling the weight of Lady Walmsley’s expectationsheavy on her shoulders. Attending a ball on her very first night in Town wasn’t precisely what she had anticipated—or hoped for.

“Your gown is ... how shall I say? ...demure—although quite pretty,” Lady Walmsley observed with a kind smile.

If Susan was reading between the lines correctly, Lady Walmsley’s wordsmeant she was bound to compliment Susan no matter what Susan was wearing. Susan’s gown—the only remaining ball gown she owned after so many years in the country—was well out of fashion. “I think we can be more honest together than that, Lady Walmsley, if we are going to keep each other company for the next several weeks. I suggest a better word to describe my gown might beplainor, better yet,antique.”

Lady Walmsley chuckled, and her eyes twinkled as she patted Susan onthe arm. “I do believe we are going to get along famously, Miss Jennings. And tomorrow I am taking you to the best modiste in London.”

“I don’t expect you to do that,” Susan said. “I didn’t mean to imply—”

“You didn’t imply anything, my dear. I brought up the subject myself.Such funit will be to watch you be pampered—nothing brightens the spirits more than seeing a lovely young lady fitted out as she ought to be while in Town for the Season.” She clapped her gloved hands together in seeming delight.

What was Susan to do now? “You are too kind,” she said noncommittally. She decided to leave the question of her status as a “young” lady alone at present.

“Nonsense!” Lady Walmsley exclaimed. “You have such exquisite features; they deserve to be shown in their best light, and I am going to take great pleasure in seeing you blossom like the rose you are.” She glanced out the window when they heard a carriage approach. “Ah, here is your handsome brother now. How wonderful that he is able to escort us for the next few days! I daresay we can fendfor ourselves, but how nice to have a dashing gentleman at our beck and calluntil then.”

Susan had never been described as a rose—or any flower at all, for that matter. Shehadbeen referred to as a thorn in one’s side, which was about as botanical as any description of her had ever been.

Foster, Lady Walmsley’s aged butler, opened the door to James. “Thank you,Foster. Good evening, ladies!” James said as he entered, removing his hat andbowing elegantly to them. “You are a vision to behold.”

“That’s the lawyer in him, I’ll wager,” Lady Walmsley whispered to Susan. “Very intelligent, with the ability to stretch the truth believably.”

Susan laughed.

“Foster!” Lady Walmsley exclaimed. The butler had moved away from the door and was now attempting to place a heavy shawl about Lady Walmsley’s shoulders, but Lady Walmsley was having none of it. “You are forever trying to get me to wear a woolen shawl at night. I specifically told you I wanted thelaceshawl. We’ve had this conversationendlesstimes before. I shallnotbe taking a chill this evening; I can assure you.”

“There are clouds accumulating overhead this evening,” Foster replied. “I am only looking out for your continued good health, my lady.”

Lady Walmsley paused. “Clouds, you say? Very well, I shall use the woolen shawl.”

Lady Walmsley’s reaction surprised Susan. From what Susan had seen thus far, the older lady wasn’t the type to back down swiftly. She and Susan were the same in that regard. Perhaps Lady Walmsley respected Foster’s opinion more than she liked to let on.

Woolen shawl now firmly in place, a satisfied-looking Foster backed away, and James offered an arm to each lady.

“I’m doubly blessed this evening,” James said.

“Such a charmer, you are,” Lady Walmsley said, patting his arm. “I wonder that some young beauty hasn’t snatched you up already, Mr. Jennings.”

“I attribute it to well-developed survival skills, my lady,” James replied.

Lady Walmsley cackled. That was the only word Susan could use to describe it, she thought, smiling to herself. She might possibly get through the evening if she had Lady Walmsley and James to keep her company. In fact, she was feeling an air of excitement she’d not felt for some time now—dressing in one’s finest and listening to excellent music and watching elegant couples dance together might be rather agreeable. She’d been absent from Society long enough that she assumed she’d be able to sit with the other spinsters and watch the proceedings unobserved; that would be her preference.

There may be a few of her former acquaintances in attendance whom she’dprefer not to see this evening; it was bound to be inevitable that such would occur,of course. But surely, after the passing of so many years—ten, to be precise—old wounds would be forgotten, and bygones could be bygones. It was optimistic on Susan’s part, although she really didn’t put much stock in it. She knew from experience what Society could be like.

***

“Aylesham! I’msodelighted you chose to join us this evening,” Lady Bledsoe said to George when he arrived at her home. She took his hands in hers and air-kissedboth his cheeks. “And how handsome you look! Does he not look handsome,Bledsoe?”

George and Lord Bledsoe exchanged a droll look between them. “A veritable sight to behold,” Lord Bledsoe replied dryly.

“I did my best to be presentable,” George said.

“Ah, but it seems like only yesterday when your dear mama and I enjoyed our first Season,” Lady Bledsoe said. It was the beginning of a reminiscence George had heard countless times over the years. It ought to annoy him, but Lady Bledsoe had cherished her friendship with his mother, so he was inclined to let her haveher say. “She was the darling of theton, you know,” she continued. “Beautiful, clever—but not one to put on airs.”

“So you have said,” George said.

“Iwishyou had known her, Aylesham. She was a dear girl, and I miss her every day, as you must surely miss her. But I shan’t dwell on that, for we aregathered to enjoy ourselves and mingle with our friends and acquaintances and,hopefully, dance.” She looked at him with intent in her eye.

“I shall do as you bid, Lady Bledsoe. I shall mingle, listen to the music, and partake of the refreshments and dance a time or two.” Blast, but he still tired too easily these days. The whole business of convalescence was annoying.

---