Page 40 of To Resist a Scandalous Rogue
“My Lord Firthwell, I’ve come to make the introduction you requested.”
Lady Eddington’s excited yet predatory voice tempered the storm brewing in his blood as effectively as a winter downpour. “Of course.” He hoped his face wasn’t flushed. “I was just telling Lady Flora and Mrs. Taylor how you’d promised to introduce me to your daughter.”
The menacing look Lady Eddington directed at Lady Flora, and to a lesser extent Charlotte, dimmed somewhat in the wake of Finlay’s words. She grasped her daughter and all but thrust her into Finlay’s arms.“Lord Firthwell, allow me to introduce you to my daughter, Miss Marguerite Eddington. Her skills on the pianoforte will leave you speechless, I’m sure of it.” With an indulgent look, she gestured to Finlay and raised her brows at her daughter. “And this, my dear, is the charming Viscount Firthwell. I’m sure you recall that his father is the Earl of Rockhaven and his sister is the new Duchess of Darington.”
He sensed Charlotte shift on her feet, and, out of the corner of his eye, he took in her downturned head. Remembering his manners, he bowed. “Miss Eddington, I’m pleased to make your acquaintance. I’ve heard nothing but praise for you and your musical talents.”
Lady Flora coughed into her hand, a sound he suspected she had meant to be dainty but instead resembled a bark. Lady Eddington cut her a sharp look, but Flora merely tilted her head to the side and observed Miss Eddington and him. He didn’t want to know what thoughts were racing through her mind.
Charlotte had gone as still as a placid lake next to him, and he dared not risk a glance at her. He wasn’t certain he’d be able to tear his gaze from her face again.
Impervious to the tension thickening the air, Miss Eddington offered Finlay a tentative smile. “Thank you, my lord. I hope I do not disappoint your expectations.”
“I’m convinced that would be impossible,” he said, placing a hand on his chest.
Flora coughed once again, and Finlay bit back a laugh—or perhaps it was a groan—and extended a hand to her. “Are you acquainted with Miss Eddington, Lady Flora?” Dipping his head to the blonde, he said, “Her Ladyship is a good friend of my sister and is almost like a sister to me, as well.” He punctuated the last part with a fierce glare at the lady in question.
Unfazed, Flora clasped her hands in front of her waist and grinned. “I was lucky enough to meet Miss Eddington and hear her play at the Windemere soiree. It’s a marvel the way your fingers dance along the keys.”
A rosy blush crept along Miss Eddington’s face and disappeared into her hairline. Her mother smiled fondly at her, the woman’s stance practically oozing pride. “She practices three hours a day, whether I ask her to or not. And Marguerite’s dedication extends past just the pianoforte. She’s determined to cultivate all the skills needed in a titled wife and political hostess.”
His stomach rolled, although he nodded in approval.
“That’s very admirable.”
Looking at Charlotte askance, Finlay watched as her azure eyes went wide and her jaw grew slack, as if she couldn’t believe her audacity at speaking out of turn. In contrast, her reaction made his chest uncomfortably tight.
“I quite agree, Mrs. Taylor,” Flora said, tapping a finger against her chin. “It almost makes me regret all those lessons I skipped so I could spend more time in the stables.”
“Stables?” Lady Eddington said the word like it was an expletive. “I must admit to being a bit surprised that a lady of your station was allowed to spend so much of her time out of doors.”
“Yes, well, if I behaved as society dictates a duke’s daughter must, whatever would people have to gossip about behind my back?”
Lady Flora’s innocent delivery almost broke through the dam of Finlay’s self-control, and he turned his head away. When his gaze alighted on Charlotte, her eyes sparkling, he realized he’d jumped from the pot to the pan.
“I suspect a woman of your station would be gossiped about no matter what, my lady.” Charlotte pressed her lips together into a faux frown. “Your attire. Perhaps who you conversed with at the park. Or who you waltzed with at a ball.”
“And I suspect you’re correct.”Flora sighed.“It’s dreadful being out in Society sometimes.”
“That’s a shame.”Miss Eddington’s voice was conciliatory. “I find I adore the constant action. The whirlwind of events. The opera, the theatre, soirees, balls, dinner parties.” She paused, her chest rising and falling with excitement. “Do you enjoy the Season, Lord Firthwell?”
He had once. Not terribly long ago, he’d thrived on the non-stop social calendar and the darker activities that transpired after the chaperones and their innocent debutantes were tucked safely in their beds. Now, Finlay found he preferred quiet dinners with friends or reading letters from Alethea and Darington, or even the latest astronomy tomes, in the comfortable leather chair in his study.
Lud, was he twenty-five or fifty-five?
Finlay nodded. “I still very much enjoy seeing old friends and making new acquaintances, such as yourself.”
He risked a swift glance at Charlotte and found her with a small wrinkle between her brows, as if she knew he hadn’t been entirely truthful.
“Have we met?”Lady Eddington’s eyes narrowed as they swept over Charlotte in disdainful inspection, before swinging to Finlay. He suddenly felt a trickle of sweat slide down his spine. “I don’t recall seeing you before.”
Miss Eddington took a step back, no doubt sensing her mother’s displeasure. But Charlotte was not cowed and sank into a respectful curtsy. Lady Flora spoke before she could.
“Do forgive me for not introducing Mrs. Taylor, Your Ladyship.” Flora shook her head. “Lud, where are my manners?”
“Are you sure you didn’t leave them in the stables?” Charlotte asked, her expression serious.
“Oh, of course,” Flora deadpanned, lightly smacking her head. “Thank you for reminding me. I knew there was a reason I asked you to serve as my companion.”
