Page 12 of The Truth about the Duke (Whispers of the Ton #5)

Chapter Eleven

“ I am astonished, I must say.”

“And well you might be,” Henry agreed with a slight shrug. “I did not ever think that I would have the agreement – nor the assistance – of a bluestocking but it seems as though I am to have it!”

Lord Kendall chuckled. “I think it very good that you shall have it. Lady Lydia appears to be a most intelligent creature and I think what she has discovered so far is evidence of her skill and her understanding. Though,” he continued, with a wry smile, “I am surprised that she was so willing to offer you her aid, especially when you were so… discouraging to her efforts. Did you not state that all bluestocking ought to be spurned by society?”

Henry winced. “Yes, I did.”

“And would you still hold to that?”

Henry watched as the couples danced the cotillion, letting his thoughts run over what Lord Kendall had asked. Would he still believe that a bluestocking should be shunned by society? That she ought to be looked down upon for the simple reason of desiring to learn and read and understand more than society thought she ought? More than he thought she ought? “I am not certain.” It was the truth and though Lord Kendall snorted and said that what he had said was no true answer, Henry held to it all the same. His friend did not understand and for that, he could not blame him for he had not the same acquaintance with Lady Lydia and did not understand the influence she had upon him. He had wanted to say that yes, bluestockings were the sort of creature that should be pushed away from society so that other young ladies did not have the same notions and ideas as they but at the very same time, now admitted that one bluestocking, at least, had been of great aid to him personally – and that had come about solely because of her learning, her reading and her desire to further it all. Could he really state that such a thing ought to be seen as less than desirable, especially when she was willing to assist him in his search for the truth?

“You hesitate!” Lord Kendall chuckled, a grin spreading right across his face. “Then you must be reconsidering!”

“I am not certain of what I think,” Henry answered, truthfully. “I am not sure I can have the same position as I once did given that she has not only clear talent when it comes to writing those articles, and also because, despite my poor remarks, has suggested that she might be of aid to me.” He watched as Lord Kendall’s eyebrows lifted. “Indeed. She is remarkable in that way, I must say.”

“So it seems.” Lord Kendall’s eyebrows rose all the higher as he studied Henry’s face, though Henry did not know what it was his friend searched for. “Now, might I ask what your thinking is about Lady Judith?”

Letting out a snort, Henry rolled his eyes and went to sip his punch rather than answer.

“Oh?” Lord Kendall looked and sounded surprised. “I thought you considered her to be in excellent standing given your list of requirements.”

“Alas,” Henry answered, with a wry smile, “one of those requirements is that she cannot have a great interest in another gentleman. And in that regard, it is quite clear to me that Lady Judith has no desire to be in my company.”

A twinkle came into Lord Kendall’s eye, though he said nothing.

“I can see that you wish to laugh but I do appreciate your willingness to hold it back,” Henry continued, with a rueful chuckle of his own. “Yes, I did not imagine for a moment that a young lady might consider a gentleman with a lower title over myself, but it appears that Lord Telford holds Lady Judith’s interest more than I.”

“I see.” Lord Kendall schooled his face into a calm expression though the glint in his eye did not leave. “Mayhap you have not considered how finding and securing a young lady’s attentions might be a little more difficult than expected? That is a trial in itself!”

“So it would seem.”

“Though you cannot give up! Lady Ann might be a wise consideration, yes?”

Henry sighed. “I am not sure that I wish to pursue that particular lady at present. In fact, I am not certain I wish to pursue any young lady at this moment! My thoughts are centered solely on the heirlooms.”

“And that is to your detriment!” Lord Kendall exclaimed. “There are many young ladies who are ready and waiting for you to catch their eye! You can think and search on your heirlooms, of course, but you can also surely consider your future and any match you might make, can you not?”

“I – I am not sure.” Henry scowled, rubbing one hand over his eyes. “It is a heavy weight upon my heart – the heirlooms, I mean – and that seems to be taking up a good deal of my thinking and my time.” Ever since he had received the letter from his mother, Henry had to admit that he had done nothing but think on it and the names therein. “Yes, it would be a distraction, I suppose, but – ”

“Then pursue both!” Lord Kendall exclaimed. “You do yourself a disservice if you do not.”

With a slow nod, Henry told himself that his friend was quite correct. He could do both. In fact, it might be good for him to pursue both matters at once, for then he would not think about the heirlooms so much and could distract himself with the consideration of young ladies instead!

“Lady Ann is present this evening,” Lord Kendall continued, perhaps aware of Henry’s thoughts. “I am sure that if you asked her to dance, she would accept you.” He chuckled. “Any young lady would accept you, I am sure, but what I mean to say is that she would accept with delight.”

“I should go and find her,” Henry agreed, his eyes now searching the crowd. “You are right, Kendall. My thoughts have been heavy of late – to the point that I quite ruined my visit to Lady Judith which, no doubt made her think all the lesser of me!” He winced as his friend laughed, though a grin spread across his face all the same. “I shall take my leave of you.”

“Oh, I shall join you, I think!” Lord Kendall answered, with another laugh. “My friend, you do not seem to understand just how many young ladies are eager for your company! And if I am beside you, then I shall have the chance to take the dance cards from the most eligible, the most beautiful, and the genteel young ladies in all of London – and who knows? I might then end up falling quite in love with one of them.”

This made Henry chuckle and, setting his glass down, he made his way with his friend into the crowd. He could not help but notice the many glances that came his way, seeing how many of the young ladies began to whisper to one another, how some batted their eyelashes at him and smiled in delight at his brief consideration of them, though Henry did not take too much notice. There were many young debutantes in London, that he knew, but he was entirely uncertain as to whether any of them would be suitable. Thus far, he only knew that there were many who were bold enough to smile in such a way at him while others whispered to others though that he considered a little indelicate. Perhaps Lord Kendall was quite correct, perhaps this in itself was a difficulty enough! To secure one young lady’s attention – a young lady who matched all that he desired – might not be as easy as he had once considered.

“There, I can see her. She is standing alongside Lady Miriam whom, I might add, is not someone that I would appreciate you considering.”

“Oh?” Henry grinned at his friend. “Is she someone that you have in mind?”

Lord Kendall shrugged nonchalantly. “I have noticed her, that is all.”

Henry made to say more, wanting to rib his friend but they were now much too close to the ladies for him to do so. He bowed in greeting, only to notice, as his head lifted, that Lady Lydia was standing next to Lady Ann on the other side. Having been caught up in observing Lady Miriam – who was quite beautiful with her golden tresses and vivid blue eyes – he had not even glanced towards the other ladies present. His heart lurched in a most unexpected way though he made certain that his expression remained quite calm.

“Good evening, Lady Ann, Lady Lydia.” Glancing towards Lord Kendall who was doing nothing other than smiling at Lady Miriam, Henry nudged him lightly. “Might you perhaps make the introductions, my friend?”

Lord Kendall flushed and quickly obliged though Henry himself found himself quite caught by the smile on Lady Lydia’s face. It was warm and filled with delight as she observed Lord Kendall and Lady Miriam. Was she aware of Lord Kendall’s interest in the lady or was it just that he had made himself far too obvious in his manner and in the color of his face? Henry found himself smiling at Lady Lydia’s obvious pleasure, noticing the way that her green eyes seemed to dance with delight.

“We have come in the hope that you three ladies will not have had every dance taken thus far,” Lord Kendall continued, as Henry nodded quickly, drawing his attention away from Lady Lydia. “Alas, the Duke realized a little too late that he wished to dance and thus, we came in search of any willing ladies to stand up with us!”

“Then you will find us most obliging,” Lady Miriam answered though, Henry noticed, she was looking solely to Lord Kendall when she spoke. “I certainly have some dances remaining.”

“And you, Lady Ann?” Remembering that he was to direct his attention towards Lady Ann, Henry smiled at her warmly. “I do hope that you have some dances remaining?” He took the dance card from Lady Miriam as he spoke, scribbling his name down for the cotillion and then handing it back to her, looking still expectantly at Lady Ann.

“You are very kind to ask, Your Grace,” came her response, as Lord Kendall lingered over Lady Miriam’s dance card. “I would be very glad to give you my dance card, of course.”

She did so with seeming eagerness and Henry took it, looking to see what dances might still be available. The waltz was already taken and for that, he was grateful. It meant that he would not have to disappoint her by choosing not to take the dance, while at the same time, feeling no pressure to set his name to it in the first place. Settling for the country dance, he handed her back the dance card and took the lady in, seeing the gentle blush on her cheeks and smiling at the way her eyes darted to the card, only for her to smile. Clearly, he had chosen well.

“I do so love the country dance,” she told him, looking back into his face. “And thus far, no one had taken it! You cannot know of my delight, Your Grace.”

Silently thinking to himself that Lady Ann was more than pleasing in her manner, Henry inclined his head just a little, never taking his eyes from hers. “I am looking forward to the dance already, Lady Ann!” Finding himself quickly drawn into conversation, Henry spoke on all manner of topics, speaking about his estate, finding her eager to learn all that she could about him. Lady Miriam too spoke with them, telling Henry a little more about Lady Ann; her good nature, and her love of the garden. Henry smiled, nodded, and listened with eagerness, only for a sudden thought to strike him, hard.

Where is Lady Lydia?

A hand grasped at his heart, squeezing it hard as he realized that not only had he missed out on the opportunity to ask her for her dance card, but he had forgotten about her entirely! He had not meant to do such a thing, had not meant to leave her out of the conversation but somehow, he had been so caught up with Lady Ann and his thoughts towards her that he had managed to do that very thing. His heart racing, he looked this way and that, quickly forgetting the conversation with Lady Ann, Lady Miriam, and Lord Kendall and eager instead, now to find the lady and to apologize profusely.

“Is something the matter, Your Grace?”

Henry turned his head back towards Lady Ann, nodding as he did so. “Yes, there is. I appear to have quite forgotten about Lady Lydia! She was here only a few moments ago and I did mean to ask her for her dance card but now it seems, I have lost the opportunity.”

Lady Ann laughed and waved one hand as if to dismiss his concerns. “Oh, Your Grace, you need not think such thoughts about Lady Lydia! I am sure she will not mind in the least. She does not appear to be in the least bit concerned about dancing.”

Henry blinked, then let a frown settle over his expression. “All the same, I should like to make certain she does not feel as though she has been abandoned.”

At this, Lady Ann let out another trill of a laugh as though what he had said was rather ridiculous, and heat began to spiral in Henry’s chest. “Your Grace, you are much too concerned when you need not be! She will think nothing of it, for I am quite sure that she has no interest in any gentleman present – and very few gentlemen will be interested in her either!”

“What do you mean by that?” Henry asked quickly, catching the way that Lord Kendall frowned though, Henry thought, it was not because of what he had asked but rather from what Lady Ann had said. “Is not every debutante here to catch the attention of a gentleman?”

Lady Ann glanced at Lady Miriam, let out a giggle – one that Lady Miriam did not join in with – and then looked back to Henry. “Your Grace, I should not speak out of turn but I shall tell you this so that you do not concern yourself any longer.” She came a little closer to him, a hint of lavender swirling around him as her eyes lifted to his. “Lady Lydia is too much of a bluestocking for any of the gentlemen in London to consider, I am sure! She has tried to hide it but I know she cannot! Do you know, I heard her in deep conversation with Lord Wilcher over his plans for the improvement of his estate? It appears that she knows something about the architecture from the continent which, apparently, is being brought to England’s shores also!” She giggled again but Henry’s frown only sank deeper. “It seems to me that Lady Lydia knows a good deal more than a young lady ought, and no gentleman will want a bride who understands more than they!”

Henry swallowed hard, aware that his first instinct was to agree with Lady Ann but that, soon after that, came the desire to argue against it. Lady Lydia had shown herself to be a competent young lady and though he was still becoming accustomed to the idea of being in company with a bluestocking, Henry did not feel himself eager to mock Lady Lydia, as he might once have done. Indeed, the more he considered it, the more he found Lady Ann to be the one lacking instead of Lady Lydia herself.

“You will have to excuse me,” he said, a trifle brusquely as he stepped back from Lady Ann, choosing to say nothing about what she had said but instead, keep his thoughts entirely to himself. “Regardless of what you have said, Lady Ann, I do feel it my obligation to go in search of Lady Lydia to make certain all is well.”

“Oh.” Lady Ann began to blink quickly, her eyes searching his. “I quite understand.” Her smile began to fade, a paleness coming into her cheeks. “Forgive me, I did not mean to speak in any disparaging way, I only sought to assuage your conscience.”

“And you have done so,” Henry answered, bowing quickly. “Though I must do what I feel is my duty. Good evening, Lady Ann, Lady Miriam. I shall seek you out again at the time of our dance.”

Without another word, he made his way from them both, his heart pounding as worry began to gnaw at the edge of his mind. Lady Ann’s words haunted him, sounding a good deal more callous now even though he recognized that, only a few days ago, he would have agreed wholeheartedly!

She has changed me, he thought to himself, searching for Lady Lydia with every step he took. And I cannot think it a bad thing.