Page 82 of The Lady and the Duke

“She is fortified by vast quantities of Dutch gin, I believe,” Ellen whispered. Lydia laughed and squeezed Ellen’s hand. She turned toEdwin.

“Good evening, Your Grace. The house lookssplendid.”

Edwin frowned briefly at the formal greeting, but carried on. “None of my doing, I am afraid. I just pay the bills.” He winked at her. “Enjoy your evening and save me adance.”

Lydia choked, butnodded.

Jenny came over and took Lydia’s hand. “Come, they are just starting thedancing.”

They headed into the ballroom. It looked as though half the guests had already arrived. There was a small orchestra at one end of the ballroom. They were playing a lively quadrille, and a number of the younger guests were dancing in energetic turns as the two lines of dancers formed and reformed according to the boisterous dancesteps.

Graham appeared in front of Lydia andbowed.

“Might I have the pleasure of the next dance, Miss Lydia?” heasked.

“Certainly,” sheanswered.

He offered his hand and they waited, as this dance finished, and new lines formed for the nextdance.

“I must say you did not strike me as a dancer,” Lydia said smiling as the music began and they turned in a circle—the first move of thedance.

“And why is that?” he asked. “Am I that much ofalout?”

Lydia laughed. “Not at all. But it struck me that you were more interested in outdooractivities.”

They changed partners for a moment and then came backtogether.

“But I have to say, you present yourself very well—all dressed up like a clergyman,” Lydiateased.

Graham laughed. “Ouch. That is my father’s doing. He dusted off an old suit from the last century, it seems. I have little finery to callmyown.”

“And you dance well. That must be your mother’sdoing.”

“Actually it was Jenny who whipped me into shape. And she is a toughtaskmaster.”

Lydia laughed. “ThatIknow.”

When the dance ended Graham offered to deliver champagne to Lydia andJenny.

“Thank you, Graham,” Lydia bid, as he went off in search ofrefreshment.

“Your brother is quite a decent chap,” Lydia said,casually.

“He is a bit of a lump—but serviceable,” sheteased.

Jenny nudged Lydia and inclined her head toward the other side oftheroom.

“There is yourdoctor.”

Lydia looked over and saw Reginald nod to her. She smiled to him and nodded back. Doctor Cooke was just starting toward her when Graham returned with three glasses of champagne. That stopped the Doctor’s progress and he took a stepbackward.

“Miss Lydia—Jenny,” Graham said, offering them each aglass.

Jenny was annoyed that Graham’s arrival had deterred the Doctor fromapproaching.

“Graham, thank you for the champagne, but you have just prevented Doctor Cooke from coming over to claim Lydia for a dance,” Jennygroused.

Graham looked around. “Hey, what about me? Am I not entitled to a seconddance?”