Page 11 of Lyon’s Obsession (The Lyon’s Den Connected World #91)
T heodora had not encountered either Alexander or Lord Almano for several days, though she had read the name of both in the newsprints, indicating who attended which gatherings.
Along with Emma, Dora had hosted an “at home” in the afternoon, but as Emma’s wedding was quick on their heels, they had agreed that staying “at home” should continue for the evening, as well.
Therefore, the next morning, when Theodora encountered both men within the passage of less than a quarter hour, she began to wonder if God meant to punish her for some unknown transgression.
“Sardinian count straight ahead,” Emma said under her breath as they crossed the park together.
Today was the final fitting for Emma’s wedding dress, which was to be a bit different from the normal dress found among the haut ton , but Theodora thought it absolutely gorgeous, not that she could wear such a dress.
Her coloring and her shape would have presented her the appearance of a dumpy chicken.
“Walking our direction,” Emma continued. “And picking up his pace.”
Theodora could see the man well enough. Like it or not, the count was pleasant to look upon. “ But does he possess a good character ?” her mind asked.
“My ladies.” Lord Almano stopped before them and bowed. “Well met.”
“Good day, Count,” Emma said. “I hope you are still enjoying British society. Lady Theodora and I noted your name in the newspapers as having made an appearance at two different balls on Friday.”
“I was looking for more pleasant company than I found at either,” he declared boldly, while eyeing Theodora. “You chose a different venue, Lady Theodora?”
“Lady Emma and I hosted an ‘at home’ in the afternoon,” Dora explained, “and so we chose not to take in a ball or other entertainment in the evening.”
“It is my fault,” Emma said. “You see, I am soon to marry one of Lady Theodora’s brothers, and she has been most gracious to assist in all the arrangements.”
“I was not aware of your possessing a brother, my lady,” he said with a frown.
“Five,” Theodora responded with a matching bit of dismay, for she spotted Alexander crossing the park in their direction.
Emma must have viewed him also, for she finished Theodora’s explanation.
“Lord Duncan, over the years, took in five young lords who had lost their parents. He and Lady Duncan raised each as their sons and protected them until they were old enough to claim their titles. In fact, one of those brothers, as we speak, is approaching from the Bond Street entrance to the park.”
“Should I leave you to your family affairs, my ladies?” the count asked.
“Assuredly not,” Emma continued to speak for Theodora. “My friend and I would be pleased to give you Lord Marksman’s acquaintance.”
Three days had passed since Marksman had last been in Miss Moreau’s company, though her presence rarely left him.
He knew when she saw him, for she made a concerted effort not to signal his presence in the park to Lady Caroline, who walked at Miss Moreau’s side.
He had seen Lady Caroline at Friday evening’s entertainment, which the chit had attended with her father.
Despite his approach of where Theodora and Lady Emma walked together, Alexander was well aware that Miss Moreau gently guided Lady Caroline to where Theodora and Emma and another gentleman awaited his presence.
Alexander held no explanation for why he had experienced such a visceral reaction to the young woman, but, like it or not, he was drawn to Miss Moreau.
Lady Emma called out to Alexander and raised her hand to capture his attention.
Originally, he had wished to have crossed the park from a different direction, for he did not want to argue again with Theodora.
However, within less than a minute, he was bowing before the trio.
“My ladies. Sir,” he pronounced in a greeting, but he did not like the manner in which Theodora slipped her hand about the crook of the gentleman’s arm.
“I am glad you stopped,” Lady Emma spoke for them.
“Theodora and I wished to introduce you to our new friend. This is Count Almano, newly arrived from Sardinia. We took the count’s acquaintance while attending Lady Joseph’s afternoon concert, when her ladyship hosted the string quartet, which will perform for the King and Queen and Prince George this very evening.
” She turned to the count, who Alexander had been eyeing throughout Lady Emma’s “busy” talk.
“Lord Almano,” Richard’s betrothed continued, “may I give you the acquaintance of one of Lady Theodora’s brothers and soon to be one of mine.
Alexander Dutton, the 12th Earl Marksman. ”
“My lord,” Alexander said respectfully with a nod of his head, “what brings you to London?”
“Naturally, the war,” the count responded as he bowed, “but I also possess British relations. My mother was English, you see.”
However, before Alexander could construct a response to the idea that Theodora was again on the arm of another man, one of whom Alexander would be asking questions, he spotted the woman who he had sought out since their one dance together.
“Miss Moreau!” he called, and beside him, he knew Theodora flinched.
He would not have purposely brought harm to Dora, but Lord Honfleur had not often permitted Miss Moreau out of the house, and Alexander must claim his chance to speak to her again.
To date, the masque had been the young woman’s only venture into society.
Ironically, Lady Caroline had obviously noticed him before he had called out for her cousin, which meant Honfleur’s daughter could not avoid them.
The woman made an attempt to turn their steps onto another path; however, Miss Moreau prevented their doing so with a slight hesitation that placed the pair momentarily off balance.
Before Lady Caroline could make her excuses, he said, “Miss Moreau, how pleasant to encounter you again. You have been sorely missed at the recent entertainments.”
“Thank you, my lord,” the girl said in apparent disbelief that she must respond to him.
“Might you provide me an introduction to whom I must assume is your relation, for I have viewed your companion recently on the arm of Lord Honfleur.”
“Assuredly, my lord,” Miss Moreau said, and Alexander again noted her hesitation. Was it fear again? He had previously noted Honfleur’s abuse upon the girl’s person. “Lord Marksman, permit me to give you the acquaintance of my cousin, Lady Caroline Moreau.”
Alexander bowed as Lady Caroline curtsied. “It is truly a pleasure, my lady.”
“Likewise, my lord,” the woman responded in crisp tones, but he pretended not to notice her purposeful snub. “Might I claim the acquaintance of the young ladies at your side?”
Alexander looked pleasantly on the women. “At first I assumed you might have become acquainted at the masque, but I realize now I was mistaken,” he said as if he had not noticed Lady Caroline’s absence on that evening.
“I was not so fortunate,” Theodora announced with a hint of bitterness. “I sought out the retiring room to repair a hem while you rescued Miss Moreau from Lord Bacggart’s advances.”
“I do recall now,” Alexander said, while noting the hint of disapproval in Theodora’s tones.
“Permit me to do the honor: Lady Caroline, Miss Moreau, permit me to present you with the acquaintance of Lady Theodora Duncan, Lady Emma Donoghue, and their new friend, Lord Almano.” They curtsied and bowed, while Alexander asked, “Might we all walk together as you cross the park? I have heard you have taken Lord Amgen’s house for the Season. Is that not correct?”
“It is,” Lady Caroline confirmed. “And we were on our way home from the booksellers.”
Thankfully, Theodora’s sense of reason had not left her.
She presented Alexander a slight nod before she left Lord Almano’s side to slide her arm through Lady Caroline’s.
“I am quite envious of others who have claimed your acquaintances over the last few evenings. I am excessively glad to have the opportunity finally to speak to you.” Theodora and the woman began strolling along together.
Duncan’s daughter would, like all of them, place Great Britain’s interests before her own, and, perhaps, she would learn something that would assist in their investigation.
“I wonder often how it must be for your family and others who have come to England from France. Are you, like many French citizens, in exile?” Lady Emma and Lord Almano followed Theodora’s lead, and so Alexander offered Miss Moreau his arm.
“Shall we join them?” he asked, as Theodora could be heard saying, “Do you plan to remain long in England?” while maneuvering Lady Caroline onto a nearby path.
Miss Moreau said softly, “Lady Theodora appears quite accustomed to being in your company. The two times I have encountered you, the lady has been nearby.”
“As I explained at the masque, Lady Theodora and I have known each other since I was quite young. Lord Duncan’s estate is the nearest one to my home seat.
His lordship once served as one of my guardians after, quite literally, scooping me and my father off the streets of London to install me as the heir apparent to the earldom, behind my father, who was never expected to inherit and was near death when Lord Duncan and the others came calling upon our tenement. ”
“You were not raised as a gentleman?” she asked, before quickly apologizing for her rudeness.
“I truly do not mind the question,” he assured.
“My rise to the earldom is common knowledge among the members of the beau monde . At least, by the time I reached my majority, Duncan had seen to my education and my manners. I still occasionally hear the whispers, but his lordship long ago cautioned me not to react. I am judged by my behavior not by my name.”
“I imagine such must be difficult,” she said, “I, too, was ‘rescued’ by Lord Honfleur after my mother passed unexpectedly.”