Page 7 of The Duke’s Reluctant Muse (The Untamed Nobles #3)

Where is she?

Jonathan’s stomach lurched as he realized, much to his horror, that he had no knowledge as to where Miss Jeffries was. It had been something of a strange request from Lord Dennington as regarded his chaperonage of Miss Jeffries but he could understand why the request had been made. After all, the gentleman was clearly recovering from this lingering ailment and, at the same time, had a responsibility to his sister. Besides which, the trust that Lord Dennington had in him was not something that Jonathan wanted to ignore and thus, he had accepted the responsibility without being quite certain how the young lady herself would feel on the matter!

They had not taken the same carriage to Lord Templeton’s townhouse but had driven separately, meeting at the townhouse itself. Jonathan had given her a nod and greeted her with a ‘good evening’ but had not found himself eager to converse thereafter, surprised at the nervousness which ran through him.

And now, thanks to his focus upon his own feelings, he had seemingly lost the lady amongst the other guests! It was, Jonathan considered, not as bad as it might have been for if this had been a ball, then he would have struggled to find her anywhere but this was only a soiree! There were fewer guests – though a good many all the same – so she had to be easier to find.

And I shall remind her that she ought not to step away from me, Jonathan thought to himself, his jaw tightening as he made his way from the drawing room, wondering where the lady might have gone. Indeed, he had not given her a good deal of thought but that did not mean that she could do as she pleased! Had not her brother informed her of that particular requirement? Telling himself that it was the lady’s responsibility to stay near him in the hope of lessening the weight of guilt which quickly fell onto his shoulders, Jonathan marched through the hallway and into the music room, his eyes going from one face to the next.

“Your Grace, good evening! I must confess, I am a little surprised to see you here this evening. I was quite sure that you had retreated back to your estate!”

A shot of anger crashed through Jonathan’s heart as he inclined his head, forcing himself to speak calmly and slowly rather that fire harsh words back at the lady in question. “Good evening, Lady Matheson.” Lifting his head, he glanced at the other ladies beside her, choosing not to greet them. One proficient gossip was more than enough. “I thank you for your concern. As you might not have been aware, I was a little unwell recently, which is why I have not been present in society.” This was not entirely true, Jonathan knew, for he had been quite well in body though his mind had been troubled and heavy. It made for a good excuse all the same, however.

“Oh, I did not know such a thing, no.” Lady Matheson glanced to either friend before returning her attention to Jonathan. “That is troubling indeed. I do hope you are improved.”

“Indeed, I am. I thank you.”

“And are you still seeking a bride with as much vehemence as you were before?”

The seemingly innocent question – accompanied with slightly widened eyes and a delicate smile – was anything but that and Jonathan’s whole frame tightened furiously, his breathing growing a little quicker as he fought through the anger to find an answer that would not bring him either further mortification or lead to any more questions.

“Your Grace?” Lady Matheson’s eyebrow lifted gently. “Are you quite well?”

“Indeed.” Gritting his teeth for a moment, Jonathan drew in a long, steadying breath. “You have only reminded me of just how much difficulty I have had in finding a suitable young lady.”

Lady Matheson blinked, her smile falling away. “Suitable?”

“Oh indeed,” Jonathan continued, sensing a warning in his mind but ploughing on regardless. “It is a great pity that those I have considered have proven themselves all to be less than suitable when it comes to what I am seeking. The lady I am to wed will become a Duchess and I must be extraordinarily careful when it comes to whom I shall marry.” He sighed heavily, hoping that this performance might convince them that all was not as they believed when it came to his rejection by not one but three young ladies. “I shall continue my search once I have the strength to do so. I confess that I am, at present, quite disappointed.”

“Disappointed?” Another one of the ladies spoke up, though Jonathan did not even glance at her. Instead, he inclined his head and then looked again at Lady Matheson, whose face had gone a little pale, her eyes rounded.

“Thank you again for your concern, Lady Matheson. Good evening to you.”

Walking away, Jonathan let himself smile though inwardly, he questioned whether or not he had done the right thing in speaking as he had done. He had not wanted to add to the whispers about him and thus, had tried to portray what had happened to him in an entirely new light, making it appear as though he had found the young ladies unsuitable, rather than the other way around.

“I heard that.”

Jonathan started as a hand touched his shoulder, making him turn around. “Oh, Dalton. Good evening.”

“That was rather short sighted.”

Rolling his eyes, Jonathan let out a breath of frustration. “My friend, I am already troubled enough. I spoke as I did because I thought it the best course to take.”

“By shaming the three ladies that you pursued?” Lord Dalton shook his head. “My friend, Lady Matheson will now go to the young ladies in question and tell them about what you said and they shall either be angered or deeply offended!”

“I –” Jonathan opened his mouth to give back a short, sharp reply but none came to him. A weight began to sink into his heart, making his shoulders round and his whole body slump just a little.

“You wanted rumours and whispers to stop but I fear that you have only just added to them,” Lord Dalton continued, frowning. “I do not understand what you thought to do there.”

The explanation as to his thinking was not one that Jonathan wanted to express and, with a scowl, he ran one hand down his face. “I may have misstepped.”

“I believe that you have.”

And there is nothing I can do. Letting out a groan, Jonathan threw his head back and stared up at the ceiling. His eyes closed, his heart hammering wildly as he realized just how ridiculous he had been.

“Your Grace?”

Turning, Jonathan saw Miss Jeffries looking at him with curiosity in her expression, clearly wondering what it was he was doing. His upset at her absence, his anger towards his own actions and his deep sense of regret and shame all came together as he looked into her eyes.

“Might I ask, Miss Jeffries, what it is you think you are doing?” Grasping her hand, Jonathan pulled her towards a quieter part of the room, though Lord Dalton came to join them. His eyes sharp, he glared at her, his jaw set as she blinked back at him, the color fading from her face.

“I do not know what you mean.” A slight wobble in her voice ought to have held Jonathan back but all of his emotions began to meld together, and he threw them out towards her without having any real intention of doing so.

“Did not your brother – nay, your governess, for it is what every child knows – inform you that you ought to stay near your chaperone? I am greatly astonished to discover that the sister of my dear friend is so poor in her manner and in matters of propriety!”

The lady blinked furiously though she did not drop her gaze. Lord Dalton put one hand on Jonathan’s arm, pulling him back just a little but Jonathan shook it off, his frustration still lingering.

“I have been searching for you and –”

“Might I ask if that was before or after you strode across the room and left me standing alone at the door of the drawing room?” Miss Jeffries, tears now sparkling in her eyes, stood tall as she gazed back at him directly. “Or might it have been once you had fetched a drink only for yourself and began to sip it without showing me even the smallest interest as you stood to the side of the room? Thankfully, I have made a new acquaintance and it is she who has led me through this evening so I have not had to stand alone!”

Her words broke through Jonathan’s wall of frustration and anger and brought it tumbling down. Until this moment, he had not realized just how badly he had neglected her.

“If you would all like to come to the ballroom, I have the evening entertainment ready and waiting!”

Jonathan turned his head to see their host calling to them all to follow after him. Swallowing hard, he turned back to Miss Jeffries, but she was already stepping away.

“Might I accompany you, Miss Jeffries?” Lord Dalton intercepted Jonathan and offered Miss Jeffries his arm, his eyes throwing a hard look towards Jonathan as he did so. “Did I hear you say that you made a new acquaintance?”

“You did.” Turning her back on Jonathan, Miss Jeffries took Lord Dalton’s arm and then began to walk alongside him, her voice drifting away as they made their way from the room. Jonathan closed his eyes and hung his head, feeling more than a little ashamed. He had spoken rashly, had not thought for a moment of his own behavior and when it had been shown to him, he had been left with nothing to say.

And now I have ruined the entire evening.

In speaking first to Lady Matheson and saying what he had, he had made it almost entirely certain that yet more rumors would circulate about him. Thereafter, he had let his irritation and upset rush through him and into the harsh and unfair words he had thrown at Miss Jeffries which, clearly, had upset her a great deal.

With a groan, Jonathan dropped his head into his hands as the entire room around him emptied. Standing alone, he heaved out a long breath and tried to fight against the despair which instantly began to take root in his heart.

Perhaps, he considered, he was doomed to failure and being back in London would bring him nothing but torment and regret.