Page 15 of The Truth about the Earl
The other lady murmured something Norah could not make out, straining to hear what was said.
“I am so very troubled.”
The second lady spoke with a little more firmness now. “If he asked for your hand, then you are engaged.”
A cold hand grasped Norah’s heart. Was it Lord Rutledge that they spoke of?
“He did that very thing only a sennight ago but since then, I have seen him in company with many and he has not announced it to either thetonor even to my father!”
“Has he asked you to keep it secret?”
Again, there came a murmur that Norah did not understand, only to catch the end of the first lady’s sentence. “I ought not to have told you but I could not help –”
“I am sure many gentlemen will be glad to make your acquaintance, Lady Essington. You will not lack for partners when it comes to the next ball!”
Being tugged back into the conversation, Norah forced a laugh, hoping that her response would make sense given that she had not been listening to what they had said. “I must hope I remember how to dance all the steps, Lord Rutledge!” Thankfully, he laughed in response and she let out a slow breath of relief.
“I would be glad to step out with you, Lady Essington.”
“Oh, that is most kind.” She smiled warmly. “So long as I do not pull you from anyone of importance, that is.”
For a moment, Lord Rutledge frowned, only for his expression to clear as he understood what she meant.
“Oh, indeed, you would not be doing so. I have no particular connections at present.”
From behind her, Norah heard a sudden gasp but she forced herself not to turn around, keeping her smile pinned. “Thank you, Lord Rutledge. I am looking forward to the next ball already.”
“Good evening, Lady Essington.”
Norah curtsied. “Good evening, Lord Yardley.” Glad she had remembered his name, she smiled at him and received a broad one in return.
“I do hope you are inclined toward dancing this evening, Lady Essington?”
“I am indeed.” Slipping off her dance card, she handed it to him, looking about at the crowd of people as she did so. “Your friend is not with you this evening, then?”
He glanced up at her. “Lord Huntsford? Yes, he should be arriving presently. Perhaps he is a little tardy.” His jaw worked for a moment as his gaze drifted back down to her dance card. “I believe he is a little upset after what was in the society papers yesterday.”
The smile began to fade from Norah’s face as she cleared her throat, wondering what it was that he meant. The article she had written some three days ago had only been in the newspaper this morning but why Lord Huntsford should be upset by it, she did not know.
“I am sorry to hear that.”
“You have, no doubt, read the piece?” His eyes shifted to hers once more as he returned her dance card. “I am not inclined to do so for I find such articles to be somewhat distasteful, but in this case, it is all the more so, since what is written is nothing more than a lie.”
A heavy weight dropped into Norah’s stomach and she froze, looking back at him with slightly widened eyes. “Are you quite certain, Lord Yardley?”
“Certain? I am more than certain. That gentleman wasnotengaged. Lord Huntsford is a very close friend and would have known if such a thing was true. All that has occurred is that a gentleman of good character has now had his reputation severely damaged by the lies of some cruel creature who, for his or her reasons, sought to injure Lord Rutledge.”
Norah blinked rapidly, not quite certain what to say in response to this. Her heart was beating madly, suddenly afraid she had made a grave mistake.
“But there is no need for me to linger on the subject, Lady Essington. Forgive me.” His smile was present but lacking any real warmth. “Will the country dance and cotillion suffice?”
She nodded, trying to match her smile with his. “But of course, Lord Yardley, I thank you. I do hope that Lord Huntsford is not kept too long.” Seeing a young lady turning her head to look toward both herself and Lord Yardley, Norah gave him a slightly wry smile. “It seems that you have an eager young lady searching for your attention, Lord Yardley.” Seeing the lady’s flickering glance again, Norah’s heart suddenly twisted as she realized it was none other than Lady Maude. “I should not keep you.”
Lord Yardley looked over his shoulder and then, much to Norah’s surprise, grimaced.
“I believe that Lady Maude already has more than enough company at present,” he told her, turning his back toward her a little more, and instead fixing his gaze directly on Norah. “I am more than contented to talk with you.”
A sudden swirl of warmth ran through Norah’s frame, her breath hitching as she looked into Lord Yardley’s eyes.Have they always been so very blue?Norah had only seen the sea once in her life but the storm in his eyes reminded her of that day. His dark hair was swept back to one side and he was impeccably dressed, but until this moment, Norah had only considered him to be just as any other gentlemen of theton. Now, however, something in her had shifted dramatically, to the point that her hands were a little clammy, her heart was beating a good deal more quickly and she was finding it very difficult indeed to know what was best now to say. After only one introduction to Lady Maude, Norah had known her to be a diamond of the first water and had fully expected almost every gentleman in London to pursue her. But now for Lord Yardley to seek outhercompany when Lady Maude was so clearly eager for his attention was quite remarkable and, if she were honest, made her rather gratified.
