Page 4 of The Truth about the Duke (Whispers of the Ton #5)

Chapter Three

“ Y ou look… displeased.”

Henry glowered at the host for the evening, a little irritated that he had come to break through the silence he had surrounded himself with, though inwardly he knew he had no right to do so. Lord Dunford had been a friend of Henry’s late father though Henry did not know him particularly well himself. “Not at all, Lord Dunford. I am not in the least bit displeased, though I was very much appreciating the quiet of the library.”

“And why is that?” Lord Dunford asked, his face wreathed in smiles and not in the least bit concerned about Henry’s melancholy mood. “You are at what I hope will be one of the most excellent soirees in the Season and you state that you are enjoying the quiet?” The smile faded as he ran his hand over his beard, a frown on his forehead. “Something must be wrong.”

Indeed it is.

Henry could not quite place a finger on what it was that troubled him but these last two weeks in London had made him a little… disappointed. He had not wanted to admit anything to Lord Kendall but part of him feared that, had his friend made the bet he had threatened, then he might now be well on his way to winning.

“It must be a little overwhelming for a gentleman in your position,” Lord Dunford continued, with a small smile. “A Duke, coming to London to seek a wife! I well recall your father doing the very same thing! Though he was quick to make his match, however.” His smile grew a little sympathetic. “I am sure that almost every young lady in London has been introduced to you by now.”

All but one.

In an instant, the young lady that had practically shunned him to go and dance with a mere Viscount flashed into Henry’s mind. It had been a little over a sennight since that had taken place but it had not left Henry’s mind, no matter how much he had attempted to fling it from himself. To be so ignored had been most displeasing and yet, the young lady had seemed almost glad to be free from her introduction to him! He had caught the way she had glanced back over her shoulder towards him, had seen the flickering smile that had followed soon afterward, and had felt his ire grow strong.

Though, it was quite foolish to be so irritated, he had reminded himself on more than one occasion. He had met many a young lady, so why should he care if only one of them was not in the least bit eager to be introduced?

“You are sober minded indeed!” Lord Dunford frowned. “If it would be helpful, I could permit cards to begin a little earlier than I had otherwise anticipated.” Lord Dunford spread out his hands, though Henry quickly shook his head. “I do want you to be quite at home here this evening, and if cards would assist you then I would be glad to have it all set up at this very moment!”

“Oh, I am quite comfortable, I assure you, there is no need to make any changes.” Seeing that Lord Dunford was clearly a little concerned for him and, in his own mind, a little worried that such concern might be spoken of to others, Henry quickly smiled. “You are quite correct to state that it can be, at times, a little overwhelming when all of society knows that one is looking for a suitable match! And not to mention that I have been written about in The London Chronicle on more than one occasion.”

Lord Dunford chuckled ruefully. “I have seen that, I will admit. It is, I confess, some gentleman’s dream to be written about in such golden terms as you have been!”

Henry smiled briefly. “It is perhaps something I ought to consider in a different light.” He took a breath. “But I should return to the soiree. There is to be some excellent entertainment this evening, is there not? I have heard that you have planned something excellent for us.”

“Yes, yes, indeed! I have hired some renowned actors to perform a magnificent play, though I shall not tell you what it is for fear that I shall spoil the performance!” Lord Dunford, seemingly quite pleased that he had managed to convince Henry to return to the soiree, rubbed his hands together. “If there is anything that you require, however, you must inform me of it. I will do whatever you wish.”

Henry shook his head but smiled with it. “Not at all, Lord Dunford. There is nothing that I require, though I thank you for your gracious consideration. You are an excellent host.”

This made Lord Dunford flush, and he quickly thanked Henry before leading him from the library, snapping his fingers so that the footman nearby came quickly to offer Henry a drink. Taking one, Henry nodded his thanks and, after a moment, quickly stepped away. Meandering through the crowd, he smiled briefly at one or two acquaintances as he made his way to the drawing room, aware of the delight that flashed through many an expression at his presence. He looked away from every young lady as quickly as he could, though he knew he could not avoid them forever.

“You have decided to rejoin us all, I see.” Lord Kendall stepped forward and, snagging Henry’s attention, offered a wry smile. “You found the many exclamations of delight at your arrival to be a little too much?”

“As you might have expected,” Henry muttered, taking a sip of his whisky before stepping back towards the wall of the drawing room. “You know very well that I have been a little… troubled of late.”

“Because you have not been able to find any young lady who can meet every single one of your expectations.”

Henry took another sip of his drink. “Indeed.”

“Then I – ”

“Good evening, Your Grace! How delightful to see you again.”

Henry let out a small, inward sigh before turning fully to greet a lady that he could not recall. “Good evening.” He inclined his head, just as Lord Kendall did the same. “I do hope you are enjoying the soiree? I hear that Lord Dunford has an excellent play for us this evening.” It was not the first time in these last two weeks that Henry had been unable to remember a lady’s face or title, but he had now become quite accustomed to being able to continue a conversation without requiring the need to do so. There were too many faces, too many names, and too many ‘how wonderful, Your Grace’, for him to be clear about who was who.

“Yes, it has been wonderful thus far. Now,” the lady continued, fluttering her fingers at him as though he were a bird she wished to catch, “I do hope that you will permit me to introduce you to my daughter? We did try to do so before but she was stolen away by another gentleman for one of the dances that evening. And when she returned, you had yourself stepped away to dance!”

A sudden tension flashed through Henry and he scowled, though quickly fought to take that out of his expression. He instantly recalled who it was that he was speaking with, remembered that it was none other than Lady Hampshire and her most disagreeable daughter – the one who had stepped away from him without permitting Lady Newton to make the formal introductions.

“Your Grace?” Lady Hampshire blinked, concern in her voice. “Is there something wrong? I do hope I have not said something wrong. I was only asking for an introduction to my daughter, though I am quite sure that you have had a good many introductions this evening alone!”

Lord Kendall chuckled, breaking the strain between Henry and Lady Hampshire. “You are quite right there, Lady Hampshire. Though I am sure another introduction will not do any harm?” He shot a sharp look towards Henry, pulling him out of his own irritation and forcing him to respond in as amiable manner as he could manage. Propriety demanded that he not only smile but nod, seeing the relief that swept into Lady Hampshire’s expression as he did so. “Yes, of course. I would be very glad to become acquainted with your daughter.”

“Oh, how wonderful. Thank you, Your Grace. Do excuse me for a moment, I shall return presently.”

Henry watched as Lady Hampshire scurried across the room, ignoring the sharp look that Lord Kendall was sending him, one that he could practically feel pressing into him. He knew very well that his irritation with the as yet unintroduced young lady was still very much present but he was also keenly aware that he could not permit such a thing to come out in either his expression or his manner.

“Thank you for waiting, Your Grace.” Lady Hampshire beamed at him, though the young lady in question did not appear to be in the least bit delighted in being present, given that she did not smile nor even raise her gaze to his. Instead, she was looking away, her lips a little flattened as she waited for her mother to make the introductions.

“Your Grace – and Lord Kendall also, of course – might I present my daughter? This is Lydia, my only daughter who has only just made her come out!” She gestured to Henry as slowly, the young lady turned her gaze towards him. “Lydia, this is the Duke of Melrose and his close friend, the Marquess of Kendall.”

To her credit, the young lady curtsied beautifully, speaking just she ought though there was no hint of happiness in her voice. “Good evening, Your Grace. Good evening, Lord Kendall. It is a delight to be introduced to you both.”

Henry inclined his head, though Lord Kendall swept into a proper bow, shaming him just a little given that he had not done such a thing. Catching the slight lift of the lady’s eyebrows, Henry cleared his throat and looked away from her, a little embarrassed and then, thereafter, frustrated at his embarrassment. “I hope that you find the soiree a pleasant one, Lady Lydia.” There was not any sort of desire within him to begin any sort of conversation, disliking that she showed no eagerness to be in his company. He turned his head to the left, wondering if he would be able to see someone else eager to catch his attention by which he might be able to make an excuse for stepping away.

“Might I ask if you are the only child?” Lord Kendall asked, making Henry scowl at him in irritation. “Your father is the Earl of Hampshire, is that not correct? I am sure that I am acquainted with your brother, though I might be mistaken?”

“You are quite correct, Lord Kendall.” The warmth in Lady Lydia’s voice made Henry’s scowl darken, noting how Lady Hampshire had stepped back just a little, now engaging herself in further conversation with another acquaintance, though her gaze glanced back towards her daughter now and again. Clearly, she was determined to permit her daughter as much conversation with Lord Kendall and Henry as she could.

“Then your brother is Lord Gillingham?”

The smile that spread across Lady Lydia’s face as she nodded in answer to Lord Kendall’s question made Henry’s heart lurch for just a moment. There was something about that smile – evidently genuine – that sent a flush of color into her cheeks, making her green eyes sparkle as her red curls danced. At that moment, Henry was struck by the beauty of the young lady in front of him, seeing now that there was a pleasantness to her though it was not, at this juncture, being directed towards him.

“I am well acquainted with Lord Gillingham!” Lord Kendall exclaimed, beaming back at Lady Lydia. “We were at Eton together! He is wed and settled now, is he not?”

“Yes, he is. Though I do miss him a great deal.” Lady Lydia’s smile softened. “He and I were very close as children, and he was always encouraging of my pursuits and desires.”

“How very pleasant for you,” Lord Kendall remarked, throwing a glance towards Henry; a glance which suggested that he try to involve himself in the conversation in some way. “And what sort of pursuits do you enjoy?”

Lady Lydia’s smile returned with a new strength. “Oh, I am afraid that it is not in the least bit anything that a young lady ought to do, Lord Kendall. In fact, my mother has forbade me to speak of my hobbies for fear that it shall startle and upset many a gentleman.”

Henry snorted at this, rolling his eyes at her. “My dear lady, I am sure that unless your pursuits involve hunting, shooting and other interests kept only for gentlemen, we shall not be in the least bit astonished.” He chuckled, imagining that her interests were something akin to pursuing an instrument other than the pianoforte or the harp, or mayhap enjoying taking a hold of the reins when she and her brother took a drive together. It could surely be nothing horrifying!

“Is that so?” Lady Lydia’s smile had crumpled, her eyes sharp as she turned her attention towards him. “Might I ask what it is that you would consider to be gentlemen’s pursuits, Your Grace? Things that young ladies ought not to do?”

For whatever reason, Henry felt as though he was about to walk into a trap – a trap set by his own words – but he certainly could not let himself refuse to answer. He had to defend his thoughts, had to state quite clearly what he believed for to refuse to do so would give her the impression that he had no answer and he could not permit that! He shrugged, aware of the warning look that Lord Kendall sent him but choosing to ignore it.

“Well, Lady Lydia, I do not think that a young lady ought to ride astride, for example.”

“Though you think they should still be able to ride, I presume?” Her eyebrow arched. “So that in itself is not a pursuit saved only for gentlemen.”

Henry hesitated, aware that his dislike of this particular young lady was returning in even greater strength than before. “Indeed.”

“Then what pursuits, might I ask, do you consider only to be for a gentleman?”

A burst of heat in his chest sent fire up into his neck and face. She was asking him pertinent questions, yes, but that in itself was a frustration for him. Should not a young lady seek only to listen to his thoughts and accept them instead of questioning them in this manner?

“Aha, I think you might have befuddled him, Lady Lydia!”

His irritation growing fiercely, Henry threw an angry look toward Lord Kendall, but his friend only grinned at him, clearly not in the least bit interested in Henry’s upset.

“Not in the least,” he answered, smartly. “Lady Lydia, I think that young ladies ought not to drink port, for there is plenty of other things that they might partake of, should they wish it.”

Much to his surprise, she giggled, her eyes twinkling, just as Lord Kendall let out a guffaw.

“But, Your Grace, I should hardly call drinking the occasional glass of port to be a pursuit or a hobby. You specifically spoke of pursuits and it is that which I have questioned.”

Henry drew himself up, the fire in his chest now engulfing him. “They should not do anything that a gentleman does, such as hunting or shooting. They should not play cards – ” He stopped short, rubbing one hand over his face, realizing that he had misspoken again. “That is to say, they should not gamble at cards, in my opinion, though I am aware that some do. Only in very small amounts, I am sure.” Seeing the smile beginning to curve up Lady Lydia’s face, he looked away from her, feeling as though every part of him was burning. “They ought not to drive a carriage, a curricle, a phaeton, or any other such thing. As I have said, Lady Lydia, ladies such as yourself ought not to pursue anything that is reserved for gentlemen, they should only consider those hobbies which have already been considered suitable for them.”

Her eyebrows fell a little heavier over her eyes. “Reading, then? Is that to be suitable?”

“Reading, of course. Though not to a great extent and exclusively to novels and the like.”

“So you do not think ladies of the ton should pursue any sort of learning?” She threw up her hands, her eyes a trifle narrowed now. “A governess must be considered a great waste of time and money, then!”

Seeing that she had bested him again, Henry ran one hand over his face, aware that he ought to step away from her but feeling as though, if he did, he would be seen as a fool in her eyes and mayhap even in the eyes of Lord Kendall. “A governess is not a waste of time, though a young lady need not be educated in any way beyond what a governess teaches.”

Lady Lydia sniffed, turning her gaze away. “You hold, then, that any further learning beyond what a lady is given during her upbringing is considered improper?”

“And entirely unnecessary,” he added, firmly. “A bluestocking is a shame to society and her family, Lady Lydia, and ought to be spurned. As would be a young lady seeking to go out hunting with the gentlemen of the ton or who chose to ride astride rather than sidesaddle!” He held her gaze, lifting his chin when her eyes grew cold.

“I would have thought that a Duke, with all his fine education, would have recognized the blessing that such a thing brought him.” Lady Lydia took a small step closer to him, her eyes holding his now with such an intensity, he could not seem to look away. “And I would have expected that a Duke would have lacked this sharp, determined judgment that appears to state that his opinion is the correct one. Does not your education teach you that there are differing viewpoints and different experiences to be considered?”

“I… ” Henry did not know what to say but nor could he pull his gaze away from her. Lady Lydia was pushing him into a conversation he did not want to have, into thoughts and considerations that made him feel very uncomfortable indeed.

“Come, Lydia. I think you have spoken with the Duke and Lord Kendall long enough.”

It was Lady Hampshire who interrupted their conversation, putting one hand on her daughter’s arm and forcing Lady Lydia’s attention to be pulled away from Henry. “Thank you for your time in speaking with my daughter, Your Grace. And to you also, Lord Kendall. I hear that you are already acquainted with my son?”

Lord Kendall nodded and smiled, though Henry continued to glower. “I am. Your son and I still write to each other on occasion and I shall remember to do so again very soon, so I might inform him that I have had the delightful pleasure of being introduced to his sister.” He inclined his head as Lady Hampshire smiled, though Henry was sure there was a tightness in her expression that had not been there before.

“You are very kind, Lord Kendall.”

“Not at all. I do hope that you and I might speak again, Lady Lydia? Mayhap we shall see one another at a ball one evening?”

This took some of the tension from Lady Hampshire’s expression as Lady Lydia nodded and smiled, though she had turned herself bodily away from Henry and instead, set her attention to Lord Kendall. “Yes, I should be glad to continue our conversation at another time, Lord Kendall. Good evening.” She offered Henry a cursory glance, though the corner of her mouth lifted slightly in a moue of distaste. “And to you also, Your Grace.”

“Lady Lydia.” Henry inclined his head, filled with both relief at her departure and a seeming lingering dislike of the young lady as she moved away from him. He saw how Lady Hampshire’s head tilted towards her daughter, clearly saying something though quite what it would be, he did not know.

“Well, you made a very firm impression upon her, I must say!” Lord Kendall chuckled as Henry scowled, his laugh made all the worse by the way he slapped Henry on the shoulder as he did so. “Goodness, are you truly so fervent about what a young lady ought not to pursue?”

“I most certainly am.” Henry drew himself up, his chin forward. “I think that to have a bluestocking in one’s family but be a very great shame indeed.”

Lord Kendall rolled his eyes. “It should not surprise me, I suppose. Given your list of requirements – a list which, I know, has not yet found even one young lady to fulfill it – it should not be as astonishing to me that you have such firm opinions.”

Henry turned to his friend sharply. “You cannot tell me that you would be contented with a wife who went out hunting or the like?”

Lord Kendall hesitated, then shrugged. “I think that if I fall in love with a young lady, I should find such a thing yet another part of her character to love,” he answered, as Henry snorted in ridicule. “A young lady does not need to fit all that I desire to make me a suitable wife, I do not think. Besides, think what fun it would be to go out riding with one’s wife, only to find that she is a better rider than you!”

Henry shook his head. “No. I will not even imagine such a dreadful thing. A young lady, the one who will be mistress of my home, will do all that is expected of her and that shall be the extent of it. I shall not have someone who has stepped outside of the realms of propriety for even a moment ! No, whoever I marry will be all that I require her to be and nothing more.” He shivered at the thought of what it might be like to wed a bluestocking, his lip curling as he realized, no doubt, that Lady Lydia herself was one such creature given her defense of the notion.

It does not matter, he told himself, turning around entirely so that he did not have to look in the same direction as Lady Lydia. I do not think that I shall be in company with Lady Lydia again this Season, and that shall suit me very well indeed.