Page 17 of The Duke’s Reluctant Muse (The Untamed Nobles #3)
“I must speak with you.”
“Oh?”
Jonathan swiped one hand over his forehead, surprised at how nervous he felt. The ball was in full swing and he had danced a good many dances thus far – but his one sole intention had been to find and to speak with Lord Dennington. After the conversation he had shared with both Miss Jeffries and himself the previous sightseeing, his feelings for Miss Jeffries had become so very prominent that Jonathan had been unable to pretend her felt nothing. Instead, he had to admit that there was nothing but affection in his heart when it came to the lady, though quite what he was to do with that, Jonathan had not been sure. His first thought had been to confess all to Miss Jeffries himself, only to go cold all over as he had thought of it. The second was that he should speak to Dennington, for if his friend had no contentment in the notion of Jonathan and Elizabeth making a successful match, then Jonathan would respect that and would resolve to say nothing.
It was now a matter of trying to find the right words, however, and those were proving rather difficult.
“Are you all right?” Lord Dennington frowned, leaning a little closer to Jonathan. “You look a little pale.”
“I… I am quite well.”
Lord Dennington’s eyebrows lifted. “Is it Lady Ludlow? Is she present this evening?”
Jonathan scowled. “Yes, she is. I have not seen her as yet but I have heard her presence being spoken of.” A slight lift of his scowl came as he recalled what Lady Annette had told him earlier that evening. “Though I have been informed by your particular interest – and by that I mean, Lady Annette – that she has been doing all she can to refute what Lady Ludlow has been saying of me. That is something I greatly appreciate.”
Lord Dennington, rather than saying anything against Jonathan’s suggestion that he was more than a little interested in Lady Annette, only grinned, his eyes twinkling.
“Your sister has been doing what she can also, I know,” Jonathan continued, his scowl dropping away now. “I am grateful for that, of course.”
“I know it must be difficult for you now to know that she is present in society.” Lord Dennington shrugged. “But I think that ignoring her entirely is what you ought to do. No-one in society has turned their back upon you as yet, have they?”
“No, they have not.” Seeing that the conversation was getting away from what Jonathan wanted to speak of, he tried to steer it back to the topic of Elizabeth. “Dennington, you recall that I, in my last letter, wrote to say that if there came a time when I found myself a little more interested in one particular young lady, I would seek out your advice again?”
It took Lord Dennington a moment to recall it, given the blank expression on his face though, thereafter, he nodded fervently. “Yes, I remember.”
“Well,” Jonathan continued, feeling as though his heart was beginning to tear out of his chest such was the frantic pounding it was now doing, “I believe that I need to speak with you about that.”
Lord Dennington’s eyebrow lifted. “Oh?”
“I could write to you, I know, but there is no need given that you are now back in society.” Jonathan cleared his throat, sweat breaking out across his forehead. “The truth is, Dennington, I have become aware of a young lady and I have found myself growing increasingly desirous of her company.”
A small smile lifted Lord Dennington’s expression. “I see. And what advice do you require of me?”
“It is not advice,” Jonathan answered, the words now tumbling over each other. “Dennington, I...”
“Your Grace.” A voice – a dreadfully familiar voice – met Jonathan’s ears and he closed his eyes for a moment, his whole body tensing. “I believe that you have been avoiding me.”
Jonathan forced his lips to remain in a thin line rather than pull into a scowl as he turned around. “Lady Ludlow. Good evening.”
“Good evening.” She smiled, her eyes sharp but to all who watched – for there were some watching already – she appeared quite amiable. “As I have said, are you avoiding me?”
“Yes.” Jonathan lifted his eyebrow, hearing a few murmurings coming from around him, though he did not care in the least bit about that. “I do not think that it would be wise for us to remain in company, Lady Ludlow. Therefore, I shall remain far from you and I would appreciate it if you would do the very same for me.”
Lady Ludlow blinked in supposed surprise, her eyes rounding. “Goodness, Your Grace, are you to be so… cold towards me?”
Jonathan scowled darkly, aware that she was, yet again, attempting to speak in a manner that would make him seem the ill-tempered, disagreeable gentleman and she the injured, upset lady who bore the brunt of his harsh words. “Lady Ludlow, as I have just said. I think it best that you and I do not renew any sort of acquaintance. I am sure that you understand.”
“Oh, but I do not!” Lady Ludlow put one hand to her heart, her eyelashes fluttering. “I have come to you with forgiveness in my heart and...”
“Forgiveness?” Jonathan interrupted, a flash of anger bursting through him. There was no need for her to forgive him, given that he had not done a single thing to her! All those years ago, she had been the one who had lied about him, who had worked with Lord Gateshead to make it appear as though he was the one in the wrong – and now she dared to speak in this way? Drawing in a breath, he jutted his jaw forward, ready to state exactly that to the lady, heedless to the others present, only for a figure to step in between Lady Ludlow and himself.
“Your Grace? I think it is our dance.”
The gentle smile on Miss Jeffries’ face and the glint in her eye stole away all of Jonathan’s anger in a breath, recognizing the warning she was giving him.
“I do not mean to interrupt your conversation but nor would I wish to miss our dance!”
“You are quite right, Miss Jeffries.” Forcing a smile, Jonathan gestured to Lady Ludlow, who had suddenly narrowed her eyes. “I was just saying good evening – and farewell, for we shall not speak again – to Lady Ludlow.”
Miss Jeffries inclined her head to the lady. “Forgive me for the interruption, Lady Ludlow.” Turning back – and giving Lady Ludlow no chance to respond – she smiled up at him. “Shall we?”
With a glance to Lord Dennington – who was scowling heavily at Lady Ludlow – Jonathan made his way from their company with Miss Jeffries on his arm, though his heart was still pounding furiously. It was not until they were some ways towards the dance floor that he finally spoke. “Thank you, Elizabeth.”
“You are not angry with me for interrupting, I hope?”
“Angry?” With a shake of his head, Jonathan offered her a small smile. “I was angry with Lady Ludlow, I am afraid, and it is that which almost stole my sense quite away. Had you not appeared, then I am sure I would have let an angry tirade out of my mouth and that would not have done me well, I know.” Frustrated with himself, he shook his head and let out a small sigh. “She made herself out to be a lady wronged, someone who had come to offer forgiveness to me rather than being truthful about who she really is and what she did.”
“Just as you suspected she might.”
“Indeed.” Jonathan offered her a small, wry smile. “I half hoped that she would stay back from me, that she would put as much distance between us both as I was doing but it appears that I was quite mistaken. Though now, mayhap, she will understand that my intentions are to ignore her.”
“Mayhap.” She stepped back from him, taking her place on the dance floor. “She does appear quite determined. I am sorry for that.”
Jonathan bowed just as the music began. “You are nothing but kind, Elizabeth. And without your arrival, without your interruption, I would, no doubt, have said something I would now be regretting.” Stepping forward to take her in his arms, Jonathan smiled down into her eyes, his whole being now light rather than heavy, his heart lifted instead of weighted. “Thank you, Elizabeth. I am truly grateful.”