Page 14 of The Truth about the Duke (Whispers of the Ton #5)

Chapter Thirteen

“ D id you find your dance… pleasing?”

Henry rolled his eyes as Lord Kendall grinned at him. “You are not in the least bit vague, are you?”

“No, I am not. I find that being direct is usually the best course of action.” Lord Kendall chuckled as they waited by the carriage for Lady Lydia to arrive. “You have not danced the waltz before, have you? I have heard many in the ton say so and that was only last evening!”

“Yes, yes.” Henry rolled his eyes. “I danced the waltz with Lady Lydia and I am glad that I did so! She was clearly upset at my stepping away from her – ignoring her, frankly – and what she asked me did strike at my heart.” Seeing his friend’s questioning look, Henry smiled briefly. “It was evident that she believed I had chosen to forget about her deliberately, so that I would not have to dance with a bluestocking. I wanted to assure her that it was not so and thus, rather than choose the cotillion or some such thing, I chose the waltz.”

Lord Kendall’s expression brightened. “Then I think very well of you for doing so, my friend. I hope you made your point? She appeared to be quite delighted when she was dancing with you.”

Henry’s heart filled with a warmth that he had experienced only once before – when he had been dancing with Lady Lydia the previous evening. It had been both a strange and a wonderful experience, for he had not only found himself delighted at being able to have her as a dance partner, but he had also discovered a fresh sense of wonder in taking her into his arms. It was as if he had never danced the waltz before, as though he had never even stepped into a room with young ladies before. It filled every part of his being with happiness, making him feel as if he were practically glowing from within. They had barely said a word to one another as they had danced, but Henry had been entirely unable to look away from her. When, he had wondered, had he first realized just how beautiful the lady was? It had been something of a revelation for he saw then, for the very first time, that he was not regarding her with any sort of dislike or contempt, as he had done before. Yes, she was a bluestocking and yes, he had found that type of young lady most disagreeable in the past but now… now, there was something different.

“My friend?”

Realizing that he had been lost in his thoughts about the lady, Henry flushed and shrugged. “Yes. Lady Lydia was very pleased with our dance.”

“As were you, I think.”

Henry was spared from having to answer the question for, at that very moment, Lady Lydia stepped down from a carriage nearby, swiftly followed by her mother. Henry smiled at the first, only to see the beam of delight that had spread across Lady Hampshire’s expression. Clearly, she thought that this was a mark of interest upon her daughter, though Henry intended it to be nothing of the sort! His stomach twisted, suddenly concerned that Lady Hampshire would soon spread news of his walk with her daughter all through society… but then, he supposed, nothing could be done for that. If he wanted Lady Lydia’s company and her aid – which he did – then that would mean speaking with her at length. Which was precisely what he intended to do.

“Good afternoon.” Putting a smile on his face, Henry made his way towards Lady Lydia, greeting first her and then her mother. “Thank you for joining me, Lady Lydia. And for your attendance also, Lady Hampshire.”

“Oh, but of course!” Lady Hampshire put one hand on his arm for just a moment, her eyes dancing with clear hope and expectation. “I shall be a short distance away as you walk. I am sure you understand.”

“I do.” With a smile still on his face, Henry turned to Lady Lydia, a little surprised at how much his heart leaped when her eyes met his. They were like emeralds, glittering gently as she smiled at him. “How excellent to see you, Lady Lydia. Are you quite ready to walk with me?”

“I am.” She accepted his arm and they turned to walk together into the park, the sunshine beaming down around them. With a lightness in his step and a joy in his heart – a joy that he could not quite explain – Henry walked with her for a time in silence, simply enjoying being in her company. Lady Lydia too seemed quite contented, for every so often, she would glance up at him, smile, and then look away again.

“I did enjoy our dance last evening,” Henry began, as she looked up at him again. “I know there will have been some remarks made to you but I hope that there have been none that are at all distressing.”

Much to his surprise, she laughed softly at this, her expression lighting up with a fresh brightness. “Good gracious, no!” she exclaimed, as Henry found himself smiling. “I am not in the least bit concerned about anyone who might have something to say about me. Rather, the only thing that troubles me is whether or not anyone else discovers that I am a bluestocking and that is only because of the trouble that would fall on me because of my parents' dislike of such a thing!”

“Then I am contented,” Henry told her, aware that his sense of happiness in her company was growing each time they met. “Mayhap we shall have the opportunity to dance again soon?”

“I should like that.” Her smile was warm and genuine and Henry’s whole being seemed to fill with a fresh warmth that ran right through him. The sun was high, the breeze light and gentle and his company, quite perfect.

Though she is a bluestocking, came the gentle reminder as he looked away from her. And you cannot ever tie yourself to her.

Henry cleared his throat at this, a little concerned that, somehow, she had heard his thoughts. Why was he thinking such a thing? It was not as though he was overly drawn to the lady, not as if he were thinking of her as a potential bride… was it?

“What was it you wished to speak to me about, Your Grace?”

Blinking, Henry pushed away his present thoughts and tried to recall why he had asked her to walk with him. “Ah, yes.” With a glance in her direction, he thought about how to begin. “I wanted to share with you the four names that my father had told my mother about. The gentlemen that he considered might be responsible for the theft of his heirlooms.”

“Oh yes! I should be glad to know and, truth be told, honored that you would be willing to share them with me. I too have been thinking about how one might discover the perpetrator and I think I have a few suggestions for you, though it will depend on what you share with me, of course.”

Hearing the flicker of interest in her voice, Henry reminded himself, yet again, of just how fortunate he was to have such a person beside him. She had offered her support and was now giving it to him willingly, thinking through all that had been said to her previously and considering what she might do next to be of aid to him. That was a rare thing indeed and Henry was grateful for it – for even Lord Kendall had never offered such a thing! Though given the way he was caught up with Lady Miriam, Henry could not hold that against him.

“I thank you for your willingness to be of assistance to me,” he began, remembering the names with clarity. “One of them, as you suggested, was my uncle, Lord Chesterfield. There is also Lord Dunford, who was very close friends with my father, another by the name of Lord Northstone, though he has, sadly, passed away. Then the final name was one Lord Montrose. Again, he was closely connected to my father and I think also may be vaguely related to us.”

“I see.” Lady Lydia looked up at him. “I presume you are unable to find out anything from Lord Northstone’s family?”

Henry shook his head. “I do not think I can at present. They are all still in mourning, you understand. Besides which, they live very far from both London and from my estate, so any enquiries would have to be done over letter and that might prove difficult.”

“So,” she continued, with a nod, “we then have your uncle, Lord Dunford, who is a gentleman I am already acquainted with, and Lord Montrose.” She glanced up at him, a question in her eyes, and, seeing it, Henry felt he knew what it was she wanted to say.

“I have done nothing by way of enquiry,” he said, as she nodded slowly, her gaze darting away from his. “I have only been considering what it is I must do.”

“ And have you any thoughts? Any intentions or plan?”

Henry winced. “No, I have not. Not as yet. In truth, Lydia, my heart and mind have been so troubled with a great many thoughts that I have not known where to go.”

For whatever reason, Lady Lydia had slowed her steps and Henry frowned, glancing towards her, only to see surprise in her expression. It took him a few moments to realize that he had called her ‘Lydia’ instead of her formal title – something only reserved for close acquaintances. He opened his mouth to apologize, only to frown again. Their acquaintance had not been overly long but there was something about her that made him feel very close to her indeed. Whether it was that there was now an openness in their connection that he had come to appreciate or the fact that she had been nothing but clear with him about who she was, without any pretense or the like, Henry could not say but whatever it was, it made him feel as though he did not need to be as formal with her as before. With a soft smile, he lifted his shoulders. “If it is just to be you and I, you are more than welcome to refer to me as ‘Melrose’, should you wish it. After all, we have spoken of so much and you know a great deal about my family and the like! We have become rather close in a short space of time, have we not?”

It took her a few seconds to respond but when she did, it was with a most brilliant smile that made her eyes sparkle and her cheeks flush gently. Henry’s breath hitched, stunned by her sudden beauty. His mouth went dry as his stomach swirled, aware that this feeling, this desire to be closer to her, had nothing to do with her willingness to aid him. Instead, it came from a genuine interest in her, an attraction that was pulling him ever closer to her.

But she does not fulfill my requirements!

“You are most generous, Your Grace… I mean, Melrose.” Lady Lydia ducked her head as she spoke, her face red now. “Thank you. I will be glad to do so when we are just you and I.” She paused, then continued. “I have been thinking about what we might do and in truth, I think it may be fairly simple.”

“Oh?” Henry tried to dismiss his feelings, tried to push away his new awareness but felt it cling tight to him, despite his silent demands for it to release him. “What do you think we should do?”

Lady Lydia smiled up at him, a confidence in her eyes and in her expression. “In the articles I have been writing, I have been able to find out a good deal about every family that I chose to consider. Can I not then simply do the same as I have been doing for these gentlemen? I shall research their family, the area that they live in, and the like.”

A trifle confused, Henry frowned. “What will that achieve?”

A quiet laugh broke from her lips. “Forgive me for my lack of explanation. It will show us which, if any, were once impoverished. And if their fortunes suddenly improved.”

“Around the time – or after the time – that my father’s heirlooms were taken,” Henry breathed, a clarity coming over him in an instant and stealing his breath. He stopped walking, turned to look down at Lady Lydia, and found himself lost for words. In a single instant, she had offered him a solution for what he had been fighting to find out for so long. He had never even considered why the heirlooms would have been stolen but she, with her clear thinking and good sense, had understood that the main reason someone would do so would be to secure their own fortune. And in recognizing that, she had come to an understanding of what needed to happen to secure the perpetrator.

“Might I suggest that, once we have that information, you might approach whoever it is and mention the name of your father’s driver? I think their reaction would tell you whether the conclusion we have reached is correct.”

“Of course, of course ,” Henry answered, fervently as he reached out both hands to capture her two. “I shall also look for a scar.” Looking down into her eyes, Henry shook his head, overwhelmed by just how wonderful a lady he had found. “My dear Lydia, you are truly remarkable.”

This made her eyebrows lift just a little, though a small, gentle smile touched the corners of her mouth.

“I mean every word of it,” he continued, feeling as though all he had ever thought about bluestockings – even his lingering concerns that he had thought of only a few minutes ago – shattering completely. “Lydia, you have thought of the solution needed to find the person responsible!”

“That is only if it is one of the names that your father considered,” she answered, a slight warning in her voice. “It may not be.”

With a small shake of his head, Henry gripped her hands, harder. “No, I am certain that my father will have thought correctly. He will have given great consideration to it and that is why he wanted to keep it a secret from me.” Blowing out a long breath, he held her gaze. “Are you certain you are willing to do such a thing for me? To search through all of your books and papers to find out what you can about these three men?”

She nodded. “Of course. I know where to look and I know what sources to search for. I am sure that you will have some books and documents also, however?”

Henry nodded. “Indeed.”

“It will not take me more than a sennight, I think,” she continued, as Henry’s eyes widened, marveling at her ability and her determination. “I shall have the information for you within that time, Melrose.”

Speechless, it took Henry some time to think of what to say in response. All he did at that time was keep her hands in his and his eyes locked to hers. Had he the same thoughts as she? Had he had any real thoughts as to what it was he might do by way of discovering who it was that had taken his father’s heirlooms? No, he had not, and yet, here she was with this simple, easy consideration as to what he might do by way of discovering it. It was not only astonishing, it was more than a little remarkable and he found himself quite charmed by her.

“You are utterly astonishing.”

Those words did not make her smile though Henry quickly pressed her hands, wanting her to know that he meant those words to bring her nothing but good.

“You are astonishing, ” he said again, more emphatically this time. “I do not think that I know any gentleman of my acquaintance who would even think as quickly as you have done! You have made not only deliberations but brought an idea to me that will bring me the clarity I have longed for. A longing which I have held to my heart for many a year.”

She smiled then, a touch of pink on her cheeks. “I thank you for the compliment. It seems to me as though you appreciate bluestockings a little more than you have done before now?”

This made him chuckle, seeing the glint in her eye. “Yes, indeed. I think that my thoughts about bluestockings have been quite thrown about! I have no choice but to think well of them given that I have you as an example.” Reluctantly, he released her hands. “You have offered me more than I deserve, Lydia. Do not think that I am unaware of that.”

Her smile gentled as she held his gaze. “I think we have stumbled into something of a friendship, have we not?”

Or something more.

The thought was not an unpleasant one though Henry felt his stomach twist all the same. He had long had his list of requirements for the lady he was to marry and being a bluestocking was certainly not one of them! And yet, as he turned to continue walking alongside her, Henry recognized that the desire to stay in her company still lingered. It was not as though, after this conversation, he was finished with her and was eager now to step away. Instead, his heart wanted to be with her for just a little longer… and that was something that gave him pause. It had all come about rather unexpectedly and now, as they began to speak of other things, Henry knew he would have to give it a good deal of consideration.

It might change everything.