Page 96 of Nothing Compares to the Duke
“I wanted to make sure you were well.” The duchess stepped inside and cast a glance at the pages ofBella’s manuscript spread across a table. “That looks intriguing.”
“I’m working on a book. I hope to find a publisher.” Bella thought the duchess might appreciate her puzzles. Perhaps one day she could present her with a copy.
“We have a published author attending the luncheon.” The duchess wore a warm cajoling smile. “If you come down, I’ll introduce you.”
Bella grinned. “I was actually just on my way.”
“Excellent.” The duchess pressed her hands together and gave a little clap of victory. “We’ve yet to eat. Still mingling and conversing. I’ve saved your spot at the table across from your betrothed.”
“Wonderful.” Bella hoped her anxiousness didn’t show.
As the duchess led her downstairs, Bella spotted Meg, who waved at her and came to meet her at the bottom of the staircase.
“I’m so glad you’ve decided to join us, after all.” She cast a gaze toward the Tremaynes’ enormous drawing room. “There are very few people here I know and I have no idea where Rhys has disappeared to.”
“Has he disappeared?”
Meg sipped at a glass of what looked like punch. “He knows so many people in London. I think he drifted off to speak with a few.”
Bella stepped into the drawing room and Meg was right. Rhys was nowhere to be seen. “Has the party spread to other rooms?”
Meg shrugged.
“I’m going to look for him.” Bella cast the girl a look, half expecting her to offer to help in the search.
“Perhaps I’ll stay put. The duchess said I should mingle.”
Bella smiled. “Then you should.”
Tremayne House was a surprisingly cavernous town house and designed in an unusual style, with halls jutting off from the main one and doorways nestled in corners. Most doors were closed, but a few were cracked open and Bella wondered which rooms she should explore or avoid.
Voices and laughter emerged from a few. Two men seemed to be bickering over politics in one. A few ladies whispered and snickered as if sharing gossip in another. And at the far end of the hall, Bella heard a lady’s throaty chuckle and a name that set her nerves on edge.
“Claremont, how dare you?”
Bella hesitated with her palm on the half-open door. Her mind went straight to her worst fears. She had moved so far beyond that day that had haunted her for so long. She didn’t want to revisit that pain.
But she had to know.
“Rhys?” She stepped inside and the room was so dim she struggled to make out anything or anyone.
Then two shapes came into view, lit by a low-burning candle sconce on the far wall. Rhys stood with his back against a bookcase, and a woman in sapphire blue stood beside him.
He smiled as soon as he noticed her arrival. “Ithought you weren’t coming down.” He came forward and lifted a hand as if to reach for her.
“I changed my mind.” Bella didn’t take his offered hand. She wasn’t sure what she’d walked into.
His frown deepened. “I’m glad you did.”
“Are you?” Bella gazed past him at the woman still hovering near the bookcase.
She was staring back, watching her interactions with Rhys with interest. Then she stepped forward.
“This must be your fiancée. Won’t you introduce us, Claremont?”
“Miss Jane Harrington.” Rhys gestured at the young lady but kept his gaze fixed on Bella’s. “Miss Arabella Prescott. My betrothed.”
“I’ve heard of you, Miss Prescott.”
