Page 6 of The Duke’s Scandal (Bluestocking Book Club #5)

“And are you to dance this evening, Your Grace?” Miss Shelton took a step closer to them all, her loud, high-pitched voice capturing the attention of everyone.

“We are all so very hopeful that you will be!” She giggled, but the sound grated, making Amos wince.

Quickly, he dropped his head and coughed lightly so as to hide the expression from her.

“I have chosen not to dance this evening,” he said, raising his eyes and seeing her smile crack in an instant. “It is the first ball of the Season for me, and therefore I have chosen to simply be present and converse with as many acquaintances and friends as possible.”

“An excellent notion,” Lady Deborah said, with a smile of understanding. “I am sure we can all understand that. It must be a little overwhelming to have so many of the ton eager for your company!”

This made a wide smile spread across Amos’ face.

Evidently, this young lady understood exactly what it was he was battling, which Amos had to admit, was very pleasing indeed.

“Thank you for your understanding, Lady Deborah,” he said, as Miss Shelton opened her mouth to say something more.

“I must – oh!” His attention was suddenly caught by a familiar face coming near to him, making his eyes flare and his breath hitch.

It was one of the young ladies from the park, when he had spoken a little foolishly and without a great deal of consideration. Someone that he had to apologize to.

“Do excuse me,” he said hastily, barely glancing at anyone else present before he stepped away.

“I have seen someone I must speak to.” Hurrying into the crowd, afraid that the young lady would go out of his sight before he had time to catch her, Amos weaved his way this way and that, never once taking his eyes from the dark copper curls that bounced gently as she walked.

Her hair was certainly an unusual color, making it easier for him to keep his gaze trained – and, after only a few more moments, he managed to catch her.

Realizing that he did not know her name, Amos reached out one hand, catching her shoulder for a brief second. “I beg your pardon, but might I have a moment of your time?”

The lady turned her head and looked back at him, her eyes rounding a little. “It would be most improper for me to speak with a gentleman I have not yet been introduced to.” One eyebrow arched. “I am also without company at present, for you have waylaid me in following after my brother.”

“Then pray, do go after him,” Amos said, hastily, “and I will find someone to introduce us. I should very much like to apologize, you understand.”

A hint of a smile brushed at her lips, her eyes widening just a fraction. “Is that so?”

He nodded. “It is.”

She did not move, did not hurry to rush off after her brother as he might have expected.

Instead, she turned to face him a little more, her hazel eyes searching his.

Amos said nothing, not certain what it was she was thinking, nor why she lingered as she did.

Ought she not to be pursuing her brother, as she had stated?

“I suppose, given the strangeness of our first meeting, we can set aside the formalities.” Her lips quirked at his look of surprise. “You did not expect me to say such a thing, I think.”

Amos cleared his throat gruffly. “I did not, I confess.”

“If you wish for us to find someone to introduce us both, then we can do so, but I fear that may prove a little difficult.”

Something about the light lift of her lips settled his heart. “Then I should like to avoid any great difficulty.” He bowed low. “I apologize for the awkward manner of our meeting, but I shall introduce myself to you all the same. The Duke of Exeter, my lady.”

When Amos lifted his head, the lady was dipping into a low curtsy.

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace,” she said, rising to her feet again. “Lady Isobella, daughter to the late Earl of Granville.”

The name was not recognizable to him, but Amos smiled all the same. “Thank you, Lady Isobella, for taking the time to speak with me.”

Her eyebrow lifted gently. “You were to apologize to me, I think.”

Heat rolled into Amos’ stomach. “Yes, indeed.” With another small inclination of his head, he held her gaze steadily.

“I should not have spoken to you and to your companion as I did. I had no knowledge as to what Lord Meadows had said to you and most certainly ought not to have come to his defense without considering first what it was that had caused such upset.” He stood tall.

“Furthermore, I did not follow the rules of propriety and have us all introduced correctly either. For that, I must apologize.”

“An excellent apology, Your Grace.”

The heat in Amos’ stomach rose into his chest. Was she being facetious or genuinely speaking to him ?

“I assume that Lord Meadows informed you about what he said to us?”

Amos shook his head. “He did not. He did, however, state that bluestockings ought to be ignored, that their ideas and notions should be ripped apart and cast aside, so I can imagine that what was said was not in any way complimentary.”

“Indeed, it was not.” She narrowed her eyes a fraction, studying him.

“Might I ask, Your Grace, if his remarks are something you agree with? You need not pretend for my sake, for I should much prefer honesty. It is always good for those of us who are bluestockings to know which members of the ton would prefer for us not to be in their company.”

About to state that he did not think there was anything overly concerning as regarded bluestockings, Amos caught sight of Lord Meadows himself approaching.

The gentleman’s eyes flared at the sight of Amos speaking with Lady Isobella, but Amos did not make a single move to turn away from her.

Having heard Lord Meadows' words on bluestockings, he found himself entirely disinclined towards the gentleman.

“I do not have any concerns when it comes to bluestockings,” he said, loudly enough for the gentleman to hear.

“I do not think they ought to be disregarded, nor do I think that their presence in society should be avoided. If I am to be entirely honest, Lady Isobella, I have not given it a great deal of thought, but, then again, I do not think I need to do so. Bluestockings are a part of society, and I have no intention of turning away from any young lady simply because she determines to be one.” Seeing the way Lord Meadows' jaw set, his eyes narrowing and fixing on Lady Isobella, Amos drew himself up, suddenly angry at the fellow for his dislike.

“I think that any gentleman who has himself set against bluestockings in such a way ought to be ashamed of himself. He is certainly not a gentleman that I should like to be acquainted with.”

Something broke from Lord Meadows' lips, some sort of exclamation but Amos did not return his gaze to the fellow.

Instead, he put one hand to his heart and inclined his head.

“I hope that will suffice as an explanation, Lady Isobella, and again, I offer you my most sincere apology for my previous mistakes. Please do share my words with your friend also. I will speak to her as well, if she so wishes. My apology is to you both.”

Lady Isobella blinked, looking somewhat surprised at his remarks. Then, she smiled, her whole expression softening. “Thank you, Your Grace. You have brought me a good deal of relief, I must admit.”

“Then should you like to dance?” Amos asked, completely forgetting about his refusal towards the other young ladies. “It would mean a great deal to me if you would be willing to.”

Without a word, Lady Isobella slipped off her dance card and handed it to him. “But of course.”

Amos took the dance card quickly, as if he feared it might be snatched back from him if he did not do so.

A thrill of delight ran up his spine as he signed his name for the country dance, smiling back at her as he returned the card.

“My first dance of the Season,” he said, as she slid the ribbon back over her wrist. “Thank you, Lady Isobella. I am looking forward to it.”

“As am I,” she answered, before bobbing a quick curtsy. “Good evening, Your Grace.”

“Good evening.” A little surprised at the anticipation that flooded him at the thought of going in search of her and taking her to the dance floor, Amos turned in the direction of Lord Galbraith, a broad smile on his face.

Speaking with Lady Isobella had lifted his spirits a good deal, bringing him the first touch of happiness he had found here this evening.

Perhaps being back in society will not be so dreadful after all.