Page 15 of A Bride for the Forbidden Duke
“You will need more words than that if you wish to find a wife!” Lady Sheridan said excitedly. “Speaking of, what are your plans for marriage this season? It is time you took marriage seriously.”
He raised an eyebrow at her. “I do not intend?—”
“Mama, are you smothering His Grace with all your questions?” The female voice providing him a reprieve gave him deep relief.
His cousin, Nancy, showed up on the arm of a familiar man, her husband, Zachary. The Earl and Countess of Lindbury.
Lady Lindbury turned to her son while Lady Sheridan turned to her daughter.
“Well!” Lady Lindbury cried. “If it is not one of theton’s most notorious matches.”
“A love match indeed,” Lady Sheridan agreed. “It is a joy to see you both still so happy after all this time.”
“Especially after my son reformed from his rakish days,” Lady Lindbury tutted. “I do miss the gossip sheets at the time of your courtship. It was quite a spectacle, was it not, Lady Sheridan?”
“Indeed, it was.” She nodded, looking at the couple admiringly.
Nancy’s brown hair framed her pretty blue eyes as she smiled at him. “Your Grace, it is lovely to see you. I apologize for my mother’s eagerness. It has been some time since we got to properly speak with you.”
“You should not need to apologize for my aunt,” he said, his voice clipped. He had had quite enough. He nodded stiffly. “It is good to see you both.”“To what do we owe the pleasure of your presence, Your Grace?” Zachary asked, his voice curling around a teasing tone that Henry did not appreciate.
Henry’s eyes narrowed at his cousin’s husband, and the man cringed back, putting his hands up in surrender. “I jest only! Come on, now; we are family, are we not?”
“You are my cousin’s husband,” Henry answered matter-of-factly. “That does not make you my family.”
Lady Sheridan opened her mouth, likely to admonish him, but he kept talking.
“As to your question, Lord Lindbury, I am here on business.”
“Oh, Henry,” Lady Sheridan sighed. “For one night, will you not simply enjoy yourself?”
“To me, Lady Sheridan, businessisenjoyable,” he said tersely. “And if it is done correctly, then there is no reason for it tobe miserable.” His eyes flicked over Zachary. “I am looking to discuss matters with a certain Lord Samson.”
“You work too hard, nephew,” Lady Sheridan muttered. “You should enjoy yourself! Drink a little?—”
“Loosen up,” Lord Lindbury cut in.
“And dance with a lady.” At that, his aunt nudged his shoulder, irritating him.
Still, he regained composure as he kept scanning the room, pointedly avoiding Lady Veronica.
“Zachary, how about you help my cousin find Lord Samson? I am sure you know every gentleman here.”
Nancy’s eyes conveyed enough: she was saving him from the women’s pestering, and he was grateful indeed. Meeting his cousin’s gaze, Henry nodded his thanks, and she returned it with a nod of her own and a smile.
“Come on, Your Grace,” Zachary said. “Let’s find your newest business partner, shall we?”
He gestured for Henry to follow him deeper into the crowd that may as well have been a pit of snakes.
Henry lifted a brow at his cousin’s husband before striding after him.
When they had put enough safe distance between himself and the fussy women, Henry tried to relax slightly.
Already, he saw the young ladies around the room eyeing him up. They toyed with their dance cards in silent suggestion and hope, as if thinking he did not notice their ploy. They would all sorely be disappointed, for Henry had no intention of asking any woman to dance tonight.
“So, if you do not mind my asking,” Zachary spoke up as they picked up a glass of wine and moved away from the beverage stand that was positioned more by the open French doors that led into the Fernwell’s expansive gardens, “is this Lord Samson the real reason you are here? Or is there a lady who has caught your eye, per chance?”
Henry’s glare cut to the other man, silently warning him off asking further questions. “Lindbury, I do believe you are starting to sound like both your motherandyour mother-in-law.”
