Page 19 of When her Duke Returns
A stocky butler escorted them into the lobby and then a large, red drawing room where a collection of young men was standing in waiting. With a sweep of the room, Mary counted nearly fifteen heads though none she thought particularly remarkable.
She caught sight of the Dowagers, sitting in the back of the room trading jives as was their nature. It amused Mary to see that the women had not changed since they had met last, all those years ago, with the younger the image of mature beauty and grace, and the older, a wizened queen on her throne. Alexander was notably absent, and it worried her.
“Lady Mary!” the younger Dowager Duchess called out as she rushed toward Maryin a dizzying display of purple silk. “And Mr. Carlisle! How good it is to see both of you! I was quite delighted when Alexander told me of your chance meeting and even more delighted to hear that you would be joining us tonight.”
The Duchess was always kind to Mary and prone to great displays of emotion. They differed greatly in that way though Mary certainly did not dislike the woman for it.
“It’s our pleasure, Your Grace. Truly, it is. Naturally, our mother sends her regards and apologies. She is otherwise occupied,” Harry replied then with all the confidence he could muster. “It is so good to be back in London, is it not?”
“You are like me then,” the raven-haired woman said with a scrunch of her nose. “Not one for the country.”
“I should say,” Harry agreed through a smile. “I do so miss these large London gatherings!”
“Oh?” the Duchess queried and looked around. “We have only a dozen heads or so tonight, and most of them are here on Alexander’s account. Though you may be interested in the young Miss Brichesterand her father, Sir. I hear you are yet unwed.”
Harry looked away, carefully avoiding the gazes of the young red-haired lady and her chaperone. “I am though I fear I am not looking to make a match this evening.”
“Speak to her still,” the Duchess urged. “She is quite lovely, and it is so wonderful when we all get along! And Mary!” she exclaimed and took Mary in her arms. “I am so relieved to hear that you are well situated now after all that awful trouble with ourmisunderstanding.”
Mary let out a breath and pulled away once the hug had been concluded. “Thank you,” was all she could muster though she was not sure what or whom she was thanking in particular.
“Well, the dinner is almost upon us, my darlings. The two of you should mingle before we are seated.”
As the woman made to leave, Mary could not help herself. “Is His Grace not joining us, tonight?” she asked and then cursed her curiosity as Harry softly tapped the back of her leg with his own.Do not seem so eager, his action warned her.
The Duchess smiled, and it seemed genuine. “He’s tending to his correspondence before dinner though I fear it’s an excuse to avoid being seen before our guests are distracted with their dinners. He will be down soon, I’m sure.”With a soft nod, the Duchess departed.
Before long, the two Carlisles had made their rounds. Mary was glad that most of the invitees were men—both Misters of little standing and Lords alike—who were not likely to concern themselves with the business of rumors. Only two other young ladies were in attendance—one, the daughter of an Earl, and the other, a Marquess—who seemed most eager to speak with Harry and even more eager to speak with the Duke… when andifhe should decide to grace them with his presence, that was.
Mary had not considered that the Duke would be looking to make a match after his return though it was surely inevitable. Mary suspected that many would be themamaslooking to fill the spot she had left at the earliest opportunity, despite the Duke’s disfiguration and his otherwise rakish past—much could be shrouded by the breadth of one’s estate. The two ladies in attendance were merely first to the punch.
She continued to mull over the affair in silence, lulled by the gentle playing of the room’s pianoforte, Harry having left her to converse with the rest, when she felt a hand rest softly upon her shoulder.
“I am glad you decided to come,” she heard from behind her and quickly turned to see the Duke looming over her with a hesitant smile.
She gasped. “You started me,” she mumbled, for she could not think of anything else.
“I apologize. I thought you had heard me come down and speak with the others,” he said through a soft laugh.
Mary cleared her throat. “No, I fear I’ve been a bit distracted as of late.”Alexander looked around and then back at her. He seemed to be shepherding her away from their party, inches at a time, though Mary did not mind the idea.
“As have I,” he noted, and Mary felt anticipation rush through her. “It does not do to say it, I know, but I have missed you gravely.”
“It has only been a week.”
“Has it? Feels like years… Though perhaps we should not speak of this now.”
“No,” Mary agreed and turned to leave as she saw the butler approach to announce dinner. “Or ever, as was our promise.”
“Please,” the Duke pleaded before she could move any more. “Sit by me at dinner.”
Mary turned though she felt wholly unable to meet his gaze. “You are aware of the rumors,” she inquired.
“I am though I assure you that none of the gentlemen of my acquaintance have given them much credence. Besides, is it not better to make known our friendship before all than seek to hide it and add fuel to the fire?”
“I suppose,” Mary conceded though she knew it was not a decision she made out of any concern for their friendship. After all, theirs was not a dalliance of innocent hearts…
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