Page 16 of The Truth about the Duke (Whispers of the Ton #5)
Chapter Fifteen
H enry paid not even the smallest bit of attention to any of the ladies who were, he knew, trying to capture his attention. Lord Kinlaw’s ball was in full swing and yet there was only one person he was looking for.
And strangely, it was not because of the heirlooms or any wondering as to what she had discovered. Instead, it was because he wanted to see her and be in her company.
Henry rubbed one hand over his chin, considering. Thus far, he had been aware of his growing affection for Lady Lydia but ever since they had danced the waltz together, ever since he had realized just how much of a marvel she was, they had grown with a fierceness that now took his breath away whenever he even though about it.
“She is just over there.”
A familiar voice caught Henry’s attention and he turned to see Lord Kendall pointing to the left of the ballroom.
“With her mother.”
Henry nodded, choosing not to say anything but all too aware that his friend knew of his interest in the lady. “I thank you.”
“Have you made progress?”
With a smile, Henry nodded. “Not I but Lady Lydia. Indeed, my friend, I have found her so utterly remarkable that I realize now how foolish I was to ever state that bluestockings were worthy of being shunned by society!” His smile faded as the heat of embarrassment rose in his face instead. “She has done more for me than I ever imagined and even if I were not to find the truth about the heirlooms, I should find myself contented all the same.”
Lord Kendall’s eyebrows lifted. “Truly?”
Henry nodded. “Truly. The more I consider her, the more I see just how incredible a young lady she is – and how foolish I was to ever turn my head away from her.”
“Then I wish you well,” came the reply, as Lord Kendall slapped Henry on the shoulder. “Do excuse me. I must go and take my dance – my first dance of the evening, for I have taken two – with Lady Miriam.”
With a chuckle, Henry watched his friend stepped away before he too went in search of the particular young lady he desired to see. His heart quickened as he caught sight of her red curls dancing as she moved across the floor, safe in the arms of another gentleman.
That displeased him a great deal though Henry did not let the feeling settle. There was nothing wrong with Lady Lydia dancing, he reminded himself. It was what every eligible young lady ought to be doing… though could he help it if he desired to be the only one with her in his arms?
Goodness, these feelings have taken a swift hold of my heart! With a wry smile on his face, Henry contented himself with watching the remainder of the cotillion, determining to draw close to Lady Lydia the moment the dance finished.
He saw the very moment that she became aware of him watching her. Her eyes rounded just a little only for her to smile back at him, her green eyes warming and a gentle flush coming into her cheeks. Henry’s heart leaped up furiously, his own lips curving into a smile as the urge to rush forward and speak with her grew ever stronger.
Instead, he lingered where he was, watching as she bade the gentleman farewell and then, after a moment, came directly towards him. The closer she came, the more furiously his heart beat, the more desperate he became for her to be near to him. Waiting patiently still, he could not help the sigh of relief when she finally came to join him, inclining her head as she smiled.
“Your Grace. Good evening.”
“Good evening,” he said, taking her hand and bowing over it, resisting the urge to brush his lips over her skin. “I am delighted to see you this evening.”
“I am sure you are,” she answered, “for you must have been most impatient to hear what I have learned.”
Henry shook his head, a slight frown on his forehead. “No, that is not what I meant.” He watched surprise come into her face. “I mean only that I am very glad to see you, Lydia. It does not matter a great deal what it is you have or have not discovered, I shall have delight in your company regardless.”
This made her cheeks warm all the more and she looked away, perhaps uncertain as to what she ought to say.
“Should you like to dance this evening?” he asked, as she quickly glanced back towards him. “I must hope that you have some dances remaining!”
“I do, yes. Thank you.” She handed him her dance card and waited, though Henry found it a struggle to take his gaze away from hers. He was seeing her in a new way now, recognizing just how much he had in her and desiring now to claim her for his own. Watching her dance with another gentleman had brought about feelings of envy and jealousy though that had surprised him a little. What was it that he wanted from her? What was it that he wanted for himself? After the matter of the heirlooms was at an end, would he be contented to step away from her for good? Or did he want something more?
I want something more.
“Here.” He wrote his name down not only for the waltz but also for the polka, swallowing tightly as he did so before handing it back to her. Watching her response, he could not help but smile at the swift intake of breath he heard coming from her, seeing how her eyes widened all the more as she looked back at him. “If that is quite all right with you, Lydia?” he asked, gently. “I know what questions this might bring but I am not afraid of them.”
She blinked rapidly, her eyes seeming to glisten for just a moment though she quickly smiled and shook her head. “No, neither am I,” she answered, a softness about her voice that betrayed her deep emotion. “Thank you, Melrose. You are most considerate.”
He wanted to say more, wanted to tell her that his feelings and affections had exploded of late but instead, he merely smiled back at her and said nothing.
“You will want to know what I have learned, of course,” she said, changing their conversation in a moment and setting all feelings and emotions aside. “I have learned a great deal, for I have been permitted to study and read just as much as I have desired!”
“And how has that been possible?”
She giggled, a light, airy sound that made him grin. “I informed my mother that it was for you that I was doing such a thing, that you were delighted in our prior conversations and suddenly, all was quite well.”
Grinning, Henry offered her his arm. “Then she will not mind if we take a turn about the room, I hope? I can see her nearby and, no doubt, she will follow.”
Lady Lydia took his arm without hesitating. “She will be glad, I am sure.” They began to walk and it was as if the rest of the ballroom faded to nothing. All he cared about was Lady Lydia’s company, all he wanted and desired was to be beside her. With a contented sigh, he looked down at her and smiled, seeing the same happiness he felt reflected in her eyes.
“I do not think that it can be your uncle.”
Henry’s eyebrows lifted. “No?”
She shook her head. “No. He is a gentleman in good standing and what I have learned about his estate and the area he resides in is that there has been nothing of note as regards his finances. Indeed, he furthered his estate by purchasing land, though that came before the loss of your father’s heirlooms.”
“I see. Though,” Henry continued, “he does have a scar.”
Lady Lydia nodded. “He does, yes.”
“Then Lord Montrose?”
A slight wince crossed Lady Lydia’s expression. “I cannot say for certain. I have found it a little more difficult to find information as regards his estate and the like, given that it is in Scotland.”
Henry nodded, his brow furrowing. “He was well acquainted with my father and would have known about the heirlooms, I am sure. Yes, he resides in Scotland but I am sure that he came to London on occasion.”
“All the same,” Lady Lydia continued, gently, “it may have nothing to do with him.”
Hearing the hesitation in her voice, Henry turned to look at her, coming to a short pause in their walk around the ballroom. “Then you believe that Lord Dunford is the most likely culprit?”
Lady Lydia pressed her lips tight together. “I – I cannot say for certain,” she said, slowly, “for it would not be my place to suggest such a thing. However, what I learned in my study was that there were a good many repairs that were needed at the estate and he did not manage to do any, not for a long time.”
A jolt ran through Henry, realizing what she was saying before she had even said it. “And yet, he managed to complete his repairs only after my heirlooms were taken.”
Lady Lydia nodded slowly, her eyes searching his face.
“Though he has no scar on his face,” Henry continued, muttering now to himself, “though he does have that large beard which means that his face is, in many ways, hidden.”
“Did he always have it?”
Scrunching up his nose, Henry thought for a few moments and then shrugged. “I could not say.”
“Then what will you do?”
The polka was announced before Henry could say anything and taking a breath, he looked towards her. “I shall dance the polka with you and then enjoy the rest of the evening,” he declared, determinedly. “And once that is over, I shall permit myself to consider all that must be done.” Smiling, he turned and inclined his head, offering her his hand rather than his arm. “Shall we step out to dance together, Lydia?”
With a look of surprise etching into her expression, swiftly followed by a delighted smile, she accepted his hand. “Thank you, Your Grace. I should be very glad to do so indeed.”
“Lord Montrose, good evening.” Henry inclined his head, aware that time was short. The ball was now at an end and every gentleman and lady were making their way to their carriages, Given the crush, it was taking a very long time indeed for some of them to get to their carriage.
“Good evening, Your Grace.” Lord Montrose nodded, a weariness in his expression. “I hope you have enjoyed the ball? I did see you dancing twice this evening with the same young lady!”
Henry chuckled, refusing to let the remark take a hold. He had done such a thing deliberately and had known that the ton would take notice. That was not the reason for his conversation with this gentleman. “Indeed. I am, as you know, as yet unwed and I must consider taking a bride! You will understand, I am sure.”
Lord Montrose nodded. “Indeed.”
“Your son will have the same requirement,” Henry continued, with a smile as Lord Montrose chuckled. “I do hope he has success!”
“If he put a little more time into courting and a little less into cards, then I am sure he would do very well indeed!” came the laughing response. “Ah, here is another carriage.”
Henry nodded. “Yes, that is mine. My driver, Stanley, is an excellent sort.” As he spoke, he kept a keen eye upon Lord Montrose but the gentleman did not give any sort of reaction. There was no flinching, no sudden strain in his expression, and certainly no tension in his voice as he bid him good evening.
“It was very pleasant to speak with you again, Your Grace.” Lord Montrose smiled. “Good evening.”
“Good evening.” Henry nodded to himself as he made his way towards the carriage, feeling quite certain now that Lord Montrose had not taken the heirlooms. It had been the only area of uncertainty for him, though, to his knowledge, Lord Montrose bore no scar upon his face. The mention of his father’s driver – Stanley – had been a test to see whether or not Lord Montrose would show any sort of reaction but there had been none.
That left either his uncle, Lord Chesterfield, who, given what Lady Lydia had discovered, had purchased additional land before the heirlooms had been taken. That did not mean that he was not the one who had taken them though Henry could not think as to why he would have done so. Thus, the only person he was left to consider – aside from Lord Northstone, given that he was no longer with them – was Lord Dunford.
Henry climbed into his carriage, a sense of satisfaction growing in his heart.
Though what shall you do if you do not find the truth? What if Lord Dunford denies it? What if nothing occurs to show you where the heirlooms now reside?
A frown climbed into his expression as he considered, turning his head to look out at the dark streets as the carriage made its way through London. Would he continue on his pursuit to find out the truth? Or could it be that, with all that he now had in Lady Lydia, that he might, instead, realize where the true treasure lay?