Page 11 of The Duke’s Reluctant Muse (The Untamed Nobles #3)

“Do you wish for any advice?”

Jonathan looked down to see Miss Jeffries smiling up at him, her eyes twinkling. “Advice?”

She nodded. “About this evening. I can see that you are already a little tense. Is it because there are so many guests?”

A scowl made to pull at his expression, something in him rebelling against how well she had been able to read him. “I...” It took him another moment to speak truthfully. “I have always been a little unsure and uncertain around society ever since I returned. In truth, I drew back from the beau monde before your brother arrived in London, merely because I felt under such a strain.”

“Might I ask what it is that makes you so?”

Jonathan frowned. He had not, as yet, told her the truth about his sister and all that had taken place and did not yet think that he wanted to do so.

“You do not have to tell me all.” Miss Jeffries’ smiled but flushed. “I have heard some of the rumours, as you know, but if you would ever like to tell me the truth, you can trust me. However, for the meantime, might I suggest something?”

A little relieved, Jonathan nodded. “Of course.” He thought back to the letter he had received from Lord Dennington, which had offered him a little advice already – advice which he was grateful for. He could not be hasty in his pursuit of any young lady, could not simply decide that one young lady appeared to be of interest and thus, go after her and her alone. The first thing, Lord Dennington had suggested, was to improve himself upon society as a whole, to hold back a little from any such pursuits of young ladies and to make himself seem as amiable as he could. Though quite how he was to do such a thing, Jonathan was not yet certain. Mayhap Miss Jeffries would be able to enlighten him.

Miss Jeffries licked her lips, then looked up at him. “Might I suggest that you attempt not to appear so very… displeased with it all?”

“I beg your pardon?”

Miss Jeffries winced, her face growing pinker by the second. “I do not mean to overstep but you do not appear to be in the least bit pleased to be here. You stand very tall, your shoulders back and a look of such displeasure on your face, it seems as though you are greatly unhappy to be amongst society.”

Jonathan blinked, trying to take the frown from his expression but finding it very difficult indeed. “I see.”

“I will not say that it is fair for society to think poorly of you in the way that they do, nor that the rumours and whispers are right but if you wish for society to think a little better of you, then you may have to appear a little more jovial. Is that something you think you might be able to do?”

“I… ” Jonathan rubbed one hand over his chin, feeling a little embarrassed that she had been able to point out something so obvious and yet something that had been entirely unapparent to him. “I can try, I suppose.”

“Good.” She put one hand on his arm for just a moment, sending a flash of heat racing up towards Jonathan’s heart. “I did not mean to upset you, truly.”

His expression softened. “You did not.”

She looked back up at him for another moment, her smile lingering, her gaze soft, only for another voice to interrupt the moment.

“Good evening, Miss Jeffries.”

Jonathan stayed where he was as Miss Jeffries moved towards an older lady and a younger, who he presumed were mother and daughter. He was still pondering what Miss Jeffries had remarked, which left him feeling somewhat perplexed, acutely aware that a deep frown lingered upon his face still. He had a responsibility to Miss Jeffries, of course, but that did not mean that he had to involve himself in all of her conversations.

After the previous day – first, a trip to Hyde Park for the fashionable hour and then a soiree in the evening – Lord Dennington had chosen to reside home and had asked Jonathan to chaperone Miss Jeffries at Lord Stafford’s ball. Their entry to the ballroom had been a good deal better than their entry to the soiree almost a fortnight before, for he had been able to converse with her, smile and laugh and felt himself quite contented in her presence and thus, stepping into the ballroom itself had also been a good deal better.

Now, however, he was presented with a somewhat difficult situation. At the prior occasions he had attended with Miss Jeffries, she had stuck very close to Lady Annette rather than seeking out new acquaintances, though he had also seen her in deep conversation with Lord Dalton. If there had been conversation with other guests, he had either already been acquainted with them or had stood back to let Lady Annette not only make the introductions but also lead the conversation thereafter so that he did not need to be a part of it. Now, however, she was being greeted by acquaintances that Jonathan did not know and there was no Lady Annette around to continue the conversation thereafter. But given all that Miss Jeffries had said to him, could he truly bring a little improvement to society’s view of him simply by altering his expression?

Miss Jeffries turned her head and smiled at him, her brown eyes warm and welcoming. “Your Grace, might I be permitted to introduce you?”

The choice made for him, Jonathan had no choice but to nod and move forward, catching the look that was shared between the two as yet unintroduced ladies. Clearly, they knew something of him already though neither of them were saying anything.

“Lady Winsford, Lady Pearl, might I introduce His Grace, the Duke of Nottingham?”

Jonathan held himself as tall as he could as the two ladies looked at him directly, their gazes questioning.

“And Your Grace, might I introduce the Countess of Winsford and her daughter, Lady Pearl?”

“A pleasure to be introduced to you both.” Bowing low, Jonathan lifted his head but kept his chin high, only to see Miss Jeffries frowning. Uncertain as to why that might be, he gave her a longer glance, only to see her widen her eyes and then incline her head just a little towards the two ladies.

Jonathan did not understand what she meant. It was only when he turned his gaze back to Lady Winsford and her daughter that he saw them both frowning, with Lady Pearl looking away without any sort of interest in her eyes.

Then, he realized. He was standing too tall, appearing to be perhaps either overly proud or unapproachable, just as Miss Jeffries had said. Dropping his shoulders, he forced a smile and instantly saw the way Lady Pearl looked back at him again.

“I have been long acquainted with Lord Dennington,” he said, not quite certain what else to say. “He has tasked me to chaperone Miss Jeffries on the occasions he is unable to attend.”

“Because he is recovering from a slight malady,” Miss Jeffries put in, her smile gentle. “Though I am glad to say that it is much improved of late. I am sure that spending time in society and away from his books and responsibilities has given him a great deal of relief.”

“But of course it will!” Lady Winsford replied, talking only to Miss Jeffries rather than to Jonathan. “I am sorry to hear he has been unwell, however. A malady that lingers can be a little trying.”

Jonathan nodded, looking away but struggling to know what else to say by way of conversation. He had managed to do so very easily with the first three ladies that he had pursued but since his failures, since his awareness that society still viewed him as a gentleman with a dark disposition, he now was finding it all very difficult indeed. Besides that, he also recalled just how ridiculous he had been to speak as he had done to Lady Matheson at the first soiree he had taken Miss Jeffries to. No doubt that too had wound its way through society by now, leaving him with an even more dreadful reputation.

“It is just as well that the Duke has such a generous spirit and kind heart,” he heard Miss Jeffries say, turning his gaze back towards her. “Without his willingness, I would be sitting at home this evening, wishing that I was here!”

Lady Winsford finally turned her attention to Jonathan, her eyes catching his for just a moment before pulling away. “How very good of you, Your Grace.”

“It is nothing,” Jonathan answered, seeing Lady Pearl look away again. His heart began to hammer, his mouth going dry and his hands became hot as he shifted from foot to foot. He felt as though he were already being torn apart by these two ladies, as though their eyes took every part of him, body and soul, and discarded it. Either they had heard about his actions some years ago – without truly understanding why he had done it – or they knew of his foolishness this Season. Either way, he had no hope whatsoever, despite what Miss Jeffries had suggested.

“Oh, I do not think that Lady Pearl heard your question, Your Grace.”

Jonathan’s eyes shot to Miss Jeffries’, just as Lady Pearl’s head twisted back towards them, her own eyes wide with a clear concern that she had behaved improperly.

“Question?” she asked, as Lady Winsford frowned heavily, obviously thinking that she herself had not heard anything from his mouth. “I am truly sorry, Your Grace. I was… I was distracted for a moment.”

“It does not matter.” Jonathan looked again to Miss Jeffries, all the more confused – and now a little panicked – as to what it was he was meant to say to Lady Pearl. “Please, do not concern yourself.”

“He was only asking if you had enjoyed the Season thus far.” Miss Jeffries set a hand to Jonathan’s arm for a moment, throwing him a smile though her eyes were sharp. “Such is his graciousness, he will not wish to trouble you.”

She is doing her best to assist me. Realizing what it was she was doing by saying such things, Jonathan breathed out slowly, letting his shoulders drop rather than hold them high with tension. “Indeed, Lady Pearl. Please do not trouble yourself, as I have said. But I do hope that you have been enjoying the Season?”

She nodded fervently, her eyes still wide. “Yes, of course. It has been most pleasant.”

“And do you enjoy the fashionable hour?” Jonathan asked, relieved that another question had come to his mind so quickly. “I was present yesterday afternoon in Hyde Park and confess to you that it was something of a crowd!”

Lady Pearl nodded again, glancing to her mother who was still frowning. “It can be so, indeed. There are often so many gentlemen and ladies present, I can find it rather difficult to find an acquaintance!”

Jonathan smiled as best he could, relieved when Lady Pearl returned it. “I am sure that cannot be true,” he said, as Miss Jeffries smiled up at him, perhaps by way of encouragement. “You must have a good many acquaintances, Lady Pearl and I am sure that each of them would have sought you out for conversation.”

This made Lady Pearl blink rapidly, only for a hint of color to touch her cheeks as she looked away, a smile beginning to tug at her lips. “You are very kind to say so, Your Grace.”

Jonathan said nothing, looking to Miss Jeffries who beamed at him, clearly delighted with all that had been said and how well the conversation was going. He took in a slow breath, licking his lips and then glancing back from Miss Jeffries to Lady Pearl and back again. “I – I was just wondering, Lady Pearl, if you would like to dance this evening?” It was the first time he had asked a young lady to dance in some time, his confidence wavering as Lady Pearl’s eyebrows lifted gently, only for her to nod.

“Yes, Your Grace, of course.”

Relief swelled in Jonathan’s chest but he did not permit it to push into his expression. He kept his smile in place when Lady Pearl handed him her dance card, quickly signing his name to the country dance as though he feared she would change her mind.

“I thank you, Your Grace.”

Jonathan nodded and watched as Lady Pearl was led away by her mother, ready to speak to some other acquaintances. A long, slow breath escaped him as he looked to see Miss Jeffries smiling up at him.

“I thank you,” he murmured, tilting his head just a little. “You guidance and assistance has been of a great help to me.”

“I am glad.” She slipped her arm through his, her eyes gentle. “It may only be a little step forward but it is a good one all the same.”

“It is.” His heart lifted, the relief in him growing steadily. “Might I ask if you would like to dance also?”

This made her eyebrows lift in surprise, her smile slipping just a little.

“It is only a thought,” Jonathan continued, his heart pounding suddenly as he feared her response to him was one of disinclination. The thought had come to him out of nowhere but the desire within his heart to step out with Miss Jeffries to the dance floor was severe. “You need not accept. It is only that we have never danced before and I...”

“What a generous thought.” Miss Jeffries tugged her dance card from her wrist and handed it to him, her fingers brushing his gently. “Thank you, Your Grace. I should like to dance with you, of course. It will make society think all the better of you if you are to dance with two of us… in fact, why do we not find Lady Annette? She will dance with you also, I am sure, once I have told her that both myself and Lady Pearl are to stand up with you?”

Such was her eagerness, Jonathan could not refuse and found himself following after her once he had returned the dance card. There was no longer a tension within his frame, no longer so great a fear that all of society was looking at him with sharp glances.

And it was all thanks to Miss Jeffries and her kind consideration of him.