Page 13 of A Bride for the Forbidden Duke
Distress withered her voice, and she could only avoid the searching gazes of those around her. “Am I to conclude I shall simply be a spinster forever? I cannot fathom the thought.”
She pinched her brow, smoothing out the frown. Evelina patted her arm still linked through hers.
“Fear not, Veronica,” she said, ever optimistic. “I shall help you out!”
Just as I wish to help Mama out.
“Thank you,” Veronica answered, her head still held high.
But before she could hope for a second, a group of ladies stepped forward, false smiles already plastered on their faces.
“Lady Veronica,” greeted one of the young women, whom Veronica recognized as Miss Garland, a daughter of a Lord Garland, who lived about the square. “How brave of you to show your face tonight.”
“It is not bravery, Miss Garland, I assure you,” Veronica answered politely. “If you will excuse?—”
“I cannothelpbut notice you did not frequent many trips to the modiste ahead of the season,” the lady said, basking in the giggles of her two friends either side of her. “And I must be the one to tell you, Veronica, that it shows.”
She pouted condescendingly, looking at the blue-silver gown Veronica wore. “Honestly, itisrather simple, is it not? You would have been far better to show your face in an old dress than…this.” Her lip curled, her glass gesturing towards Veronica’s gown.
“If you cannot afford a new one that is of splendid quality, then I am sure we could help you out,” Miss Garland said. “Evelina, you have some old tattered gowns, do you not? Perhaps Lady Grantham could afford to buy those from you.”
“Miss Garland, I would ask you to be polite to my guest,” Evelina said, her eyes narrowing.
“I am merely stating facts, Miss Stapleton,” she sniffed. “Do you know how the rest of us feel when we must be among those who arepracticallycommoners? Do you not understand how dire your finances are, now that the Earl of Grantham has abandoned you?”
“He hasnot?—”
“Miss Garland, I shall have you removed from my mother’s ball if you do not respect my guests!” Evelina insisted firmly while Veronica seethed. Atallthe insults! Acommonerand abandonment? Miss Garland had some nerve.
“If Lady Veronica cannot handle a little light teasing at the season’s first ball, then how is she to endure the whispers on the square in public, Miss Stapleton?” Miss Garland asked sweetly, smiling ever so innocently. “The gossip sheets are abuzz, and the parks are teeming with rumors during people’s daily walks. Lady Veronica will not be safe anywhere. I am merely warning her.”
Veronica tried to tamper her rage down, trying to re-center her mind on her true purpose she was there: to find a husband. She would do herself no good by getting into petty arguments started by a woman who was clearly itching for a reaction from her. Well, she would not grant it.
“Thank you,” Veronica murmured to Evelina. “However, I find Miss Garland unworthy of a moment more of either of our time.”
Then, she turned to Miss Garland, “Enjoy the ball, Miss Garland. Idohope you do not use such a strong tongue on a gentlemantonight, lest you find yourself with no visitors tomorrow. Then again, can one really help one’s upbringing of vanity and nastiness?”
Miss Garland blinked, stifled by Veronica’s comment, as she and Evelina walked away.
But as they did, a voice was raised over the music, loudly announcing the newest guest to arrive.
“The Duke of Westley,” the usher called out, and Veronica’s heart stopped as all eyes turned to the stairwell where the Duke emerged.
He lifted a brow as he surveyed the ballroom below him.
Evelina gasped at her side, but Veronica’s eyes locked onto the Duke’s. His gaze pierced her for a moment, and the ballroom positively melted away. A fluttering in her chest began, and she could feel a flush of heat curl through her.
She tamped it down right as the Duke flicked his gaze away from her, disinterested. He tucked his hands behind his back as he descended the grand staircase in a fine dark jacket, his presence growing bigger and bigger as whispers started up.
Heaven help me, she thought.But at least I am not the only one enduring whispers tonight.
“I did not realize he had accepted my mother’s invitation,” Evelina whispered. “I am surprised. His Grace is not a sociable man. Whatever could he be here for?”
Veronica’s eyes could not leave the Duke as he walked onto the floor and was immediately accosted by two women she recognized as Lady Sheridan and Lady Lindbury. They had often been in similar social circles as her mother.
“No,” she agreed. “He certainly is not a sociable man at all.”
Chapter Five
