Page 10 of The Duke’s Scandal (Bluestocking Book Club #5)
Chapter Eight
A mos glanced around the room, taking in everyone present in the drawing room, at least. His lips twisted in frustration. As yet, he could not spy Lady Isobella, and he had been very much hoping she would be present.
“She is not here, then?”
Glancing at Lord Galbraith, Amos shrugged. “I thought she might be, so I could continue my study of her, but alas, I fear not.”
Lord Galbraith grinned at him, his eyes twinkling. “You are pursuing the lady with a great deal of intensity, my friend – and that even without courtship!”
Again, Amos shrugged. “I must. If I am to find an appropriate young lady, then I must do all I can to find out whether someone I am considering could be suitable – and that before I suggest courtship. As you yourself have said, I do not want to have the ton whisper about me or the lady in question before it is decided how one should proceed.”
“Indeed, you are very wise,” his friend agreed, albeit with a gleam still lingering in his eyes. “The ton still speak of you all the same, however.”
Amos grimaced. “I am sure they do, and I am all the more certain that they shall continue to do so regardless.”
“And you are still interested in Lady Isobella?”
He nodded. “Yes. We danced at Lord Murton’s ball some two days ago now, and we did manage to have a short conversation thereafter.
She introduced me to her brother who suggested I might like to come to call one afternoon – much to Lady Isobella’s embarrassment, I might add.
” Chuckling at the memory of Lady Isobella’s face beginning to turn a deep scarlet, he reached out to take a glass of brandy from the passing footman.
“I am determined to spend a little more time in her company before I decide whether to do such a thing or not. I do not want to add to her own embarrassment for I am sure that the ton ’s whispers have affected her also. ”
Lord Galbraith snorted. “I do not think she will be in the least bit concerned about that.”
“No?”
“Any young lady would be glad to have whispers spoken about herself and a Duke, I am sure!” With a sip of his brandy, Lord Galbraith spread out his other hand, gesturing to all the young ladies in the room.
“They all require a good match, do they not? What better match than a Duke! If society begins to push a young lady and a gentleman of high standing together by their gossip, then what trouble does that bring to her? It can only be a good thing.”
Hoping that Lord Galbraith was right, Amos set aside any concern he had over Lady Isobella. “Do you recall Lord Preston? He was also eager to dance with Lady Isobella.”
“Lord Preston?” Lord Galbraith frowned, only for his eyes to flare. “Yes, I do recall him. A little bookish, was he not?”
A dull thud kicked in Amos’ stomach. “Yes, he was.” A perfect match for a bluestocking. “He studied much more fervently at Eton than I did, I will admit.”
“And you say that he was interested in dancing with her also?” Lord Galbraith asked, as Amos nodded. “I see.” His smile lifted the edges of his lips again. “Then let us hope that you do not have any competition when it comes to the lady!”
Amos was about to open his mouth and state he was sure he had nothing to worry about – even when his mind was a little troubled over that very thing – only for Lady Deborah to come towards them both.
She was smiling lightly, perhaps contented with him now that he had danced with her as he had promised.
“Good evening, Lord Galbraith, Your Grace.” Bobbing a quick curtsy, she glanced behind her.
“I wanted to introduce you to another acquaintance of mine, Lady Victoria. She is the cousin of Lord Welton, you see. Alas, she is busy in conversation with another of our friends.” Turning back, she smiled at Amos. “I am sure she will join us very soon.”
Amos nodded. “I am always glad to make new acquaintances.” Lady Deborah was certainly someone he would be willing still to consider, he thought to himself, although she did not bring up the same interest as he had with Lady Isobella.
Lady Deborah was amiable with excellent conversation without being in the least bit demanding of him, but she did not have the same spark as Lady Isobella did.
Am I truly that drawn to Lady Isobella? Amos wondered to himself as Lord Galbraith and Lady Deborah began to speak on the most recent ball. So much so that I would consider her first above any other?
“You are going to dance again this evening, I hope?”
“This evening?” Amos repeated, pulled out of his thoughts as Lady Deborah nodded. “I did not know there was to be dancing.”
Lady Deborah smiled at him. “It seems our host has decided that it would be an excellent thing to end the soiree with,” she said, as another young lady – willowy, with piercing blue eyes and a gentle smile – came towards them.
“You will be much in demand, Your Grace. Mayhap I should have you promise one dance to me at this very moment so you are not overrun with demands before I can reach you!”
This was said with a small, somewhat coy smile, and Amos, rather than delighting in it, fought hard not to frown. Lady Deborah did not have any claim upon him, and he certainly did not want her to think that he was willing to consider her before any other.
“Forgive my tardiness, Lady Deborah.” The young lady, as yet unintroduced came to stand beside her friend. “Might you make the introductions?”
“But of course.”
Within a few minutes, Amos and Lord Galbraith became acquainted with Lady Victoria whose sharp eyes unsettled Amos somewhat.
No doubt she would be considered beautiful, but there was something about her expression that Amos did not quite like.
Perhaps it was the watchful way she fixed her gaze on him or the cool, quiet way she spoke.
Whatever it was, Amos was not in the least bit drawn to her.
“You were arranging to dance before I interrupted,” Lady Victoria said, once the introductions were made. “Forgive me for that. Please, do continue.”
Amos swallowed thickly, seeing the way Lady Deborah’ s eyes flashed with expectation. “Alas, I have chosen not to dance this evening,” he said, as Lady Deborah’s smile slid to the floor. “I do not think I should like to do so.”
“It is just as well there are so many other gentlemen for you to dance with, then,” Lady Victoria murmured, speaking directly to Lady Deborah rather than to Amos. “Come now, you need not look so disappointed.”
“I am not at all disappointed,” Lady Deborah remarked briskly, her tight, thin-lipped smile betraying her. “Are you often so unwilling to dance, Your Grace? I thought eligible gentlemen of the ton could hardly wait to dance with the young ladies of London!”
Casting a quick look towards Lord Galbraith, Amos lifted his shoulders and then let them fall.
“I am a little fatigued, that is all.” He did not give her any further explanation than that, thinking to himself that Lady Deborah did not require it from him.
“There are always so many opportunities for dancing, are there not? I am sure we will be able to stand up together very soon.”
“Indeed.” Lady Deborah sniffed, lifted her chin, and slid him a slightly subversive look. “Do excuse us, Your Grace, Lord Galbraith.”
Amos watched them leave, a heaviness settling on his shoulders, pushing him down into the floor. “It seems like no matter what I do or say, I am bound to offend someone in some way.”
“You refused to dance with her again,” Lord Galbraith said, with a chuckle. “I am afraid you have disappointed her, but there is nothing wrong with that, especially if you are not to pursue her.”
“I am not, not as yet,” Amos muttered, watching the ladies depart from him, their backs straight and shoulders pulled back. “I did not ever think that traversing society would be this difficult!”
“That is precisely why I am here, is it not?” Lord Galbraith grinned at him, making Amos smile despite his frustrations. “I am able to guide and direct… and to keep you encouraged.” His smile lingered. “And with that in mind, I should say that I think Lady Isobella a very good consideration.”
“What do you know of her?”
Lord Galbraith laughed at the question, perhaps seeing the sharpness in Amos’ eyes. “I have done a little investigating, I have to admit. It is my duty, is it not? If she is someone that you are to consider seriously, then I felt it right for me to learn what I could about her.”
Amos snorted. “You are my chaperone, then?”
“Something like that – though Lady Isobella has nothing displeasing about her, much to my relief.”
Amos blinked. “No?”
“No, not in the least. She is a little older than some of the debutantes and the other young ladies; she was absent from society last Season, but there is nothing about her character that I can see as being displeasing.” He shrugged.
“There was one whisper or two about a particular gentleman ending their engagement, but I learned that was because of his poor behavior and had nothing whatsoever to do with her.”
It was as if the room had filled with light, pushing away his frustration and upset over Lady Deborah’s behavior. It was as if it confirmed to him that yes, Lady Isobella was the one he ought to be considering. Taking a sip from his glass, he let out a small, contented sigh. “That is good news.”
“You have my blessing,” Lord Gainsworth told him, in a fatherly manner, laughter burning in his eyes at the roll of his eyes that Amos sent him. “Let us hope she will consider you else you will be quite without hope!”
Amos laughed ruefully. “That would be quite disconcerting, certainly.” He took in a breath, setting his shoulders back. “Let us hope it does not come to that.”
“Lady Isobella! Lady Rosalyn. Is this not a pleasant afternoon?” The smile that spread across Amos’ was genuine, thrilled to see both the ladies in question.