Page 64 of Five Nights with a Rakish Duke
“The Dowager Duchess, my stepmother, Lady Kendall,” Asher said, smoothly introducing the two of them.
“Your Grace,” he said, bowing deeply to her. “Welcome to my home and the small soiree I am holding.”
“Small?” She laughed as she gestured at the ball that was taking place, with so many couples dancing to and fro that there was scarcely enough space between them to breathe. “Goodness knows what you call a busy ballroom!”
“Ha! Well, maybe it is a little busier than I had intended,” Dorian agreed with a laugh of his own. “Come, please. I’ll introduce you to some of my friends. I am very pleased you could accompany Asher this evening.”
As Dorian took the Dowager’s arm and led her into the room, Asher trailed in behind them, his gaze searching the heads as quickly as he could. He was looking for one person in particular.
Penny.Yet there were so many people dancing to and fro that it was almost impossible to discern faces in the candlelight. There were too many updos and feathers in hair swishing around.
“Where are you?” he murmured to himself. As they met another group of guests, Dorian introduced everyone, paying special care to ensuring the Dowager was well looked after.
“You are being a very good host this evening, Dorian,” Asher pointed out as Dorian passed him a glass of punch to drink.
“It’s what one has to do when we hold events such as this, is it not?” he asked. “Plus, I am glad of the distraction.” He sighed with the words.
“Whatever for?” Asher asked, looking up from the glass and noticing the strange tone that had been in his friend’s voice.
“I will tell you later.” As Dorian turned to engage others in conversation, Asher felt a hand slip through his arm. He looked down to see his stepmother tugging on his arm to try and get his attention.
“Well? Is she here?” she asked in a whisper.
“I cannot see her yet,” Asher replied, watching as his stepmother nodded and turned her head back to listen into the conversation between the other guests.
Asher was still reeling from his morning with his stepmother. To his amazement, he had found himself gushing about Penny to her, telling her easily how captivated he was by her, though he left out the details of their little five-night deal. He certainly didn’t want his stepmother knowing that.
There was one particular thing the Dowager had said though that was lingering with him.Love is a gamble.
He had always been a gambling man by nature; perhaps he was willing for the first time in his life to take a gamble on love with Penny. From the way she was with him, he had hope that it was possible she could care for him too. The way she had responded when he had given her the necklace was certainly an encouragement.
Perhaps I am willing to take this gamble after all.
“Find her, Asher,” the Dowager said, nudging him in his ribs.
“Now?” he asked.
“Now! Before your courtship with this other lady goes on for any longer. Or do you wish to end up married and miserable forever more? Goodness knows what your father will say to me when I climb the stairs to heaven if I allow such a thing to happen. He’ll be most upset. I’d rather see him there smiling waiting for me, pleased that you married a woman you loved rather than a woman you were indifferent to.” The Dowager coupled her words with another elbow to his rib. “Now, go.”
Asher nodded his head and made his excuses from the group, circling the room. He glanced back to his stepmother and Dorian more than once, checking on her, but she seemed very well indeed. Distracted by new people to meet, her grief did not hang so heavily about her shoulders, and she certainly did not have such a strong paleness to her skin anymore.
He had crossed the room once, moving beside the dancers and alongside the violinists when he eventually saw someone he recognized. Lord Larson was speaking to one of Dorian’s footmen before he placed something into his hands.
What is that?Asher thought, tracing the sign of a slip of paper between them.
“Your Grace! There you are.” Lady Margaret’s voice stopped Asher from thinking any more about Lord Larson. He flinched and looked around, finding Lady Margaret standing excitedly behind him, her smile so great he thought her cheeks would crack.
If she is here, then Penny must be here too.
“Lady Margaret,” he said and bowed to her formally, trying to be as proper to her as possible. He didn’t doubt that when he ended their courtship, it would be talked of and slighted by others, but his stepmother was right. Asher would infinitely prefer spending his wedding night with Penny rather than Lady Margaret.
There was more to it though. He could imagine spending his days and evenings with Penny too, enjoying their dinners together in their spirited debates, maybe going to the theatre, even travelling as companions. He couldn’t imagine doing any of that with Lady Margaret. She would probably prefer to stay home and practice her piano instead.
“Are you not pleased to see me, Your Grace?” Lady Margaret said, attempting to be playful, but the way she held out her hand toward him was insistent.
“Of course,” he said, taking her hand and kissing it with restraint. He all too eagerly dropped her hand again and looked around her head. “Is your cousin here this evening?” He could see his question made her recoil, snapping her head a little higher and pursing her lips together.
“She has decided to stay home. She is suffering with a headache.” The words made his shoulders slump slightly.
