Page 13 of The Truth about the Duke
“Yes, yes, very well acquainted.” Lord Kent gestured to his daughter. “You know Lady Judith, I think?”
Henry looked to the lady and inclined his head, seeing the color rise in her cheeks and feeling himself a little more satisfied that she was now consideringhimrather than Lord Kendall. “Yes, we were introduced at a ball, I think.”
The color began to fade from her face. “Forgive me for correcting you, Your Gracee, but it was Lord Harlow’s dinner.”
“Ah. Yes, of course.” Henry coughed quietly, a little embarrassed to have made such a mistake. “And tell me, Lady Judith, do you like those feathers in your bonnet?” It was not a question he had meant to ask but given his embarrassment at making a mistake, it had come to his lips without warning.
Lady Judith blinked.
“Ithink they are quite lovely,” Lord Kendall said hastily, shooting Henry a glance that was filled with both confusion and frustration. “Is it something that you had purposely made?”
“I – I chose the feathers, yes.” Lady Judith glanced from Henry to Lord Kendall and back again. “And the ribbon, of course. The pink is to complement them.”
Her eyes darted again from Lord Kendall to Henry but Henry, not sure what he ought to say only looked away.
“Which it does beautifully.” Again, Lord Kendall spoke, seeming to reassure Lady Judith though Henry did not quite understand as to why this was necessary. All he had been trying to do was understand if Lady Judith had picked these feathers herself and, if she had, what her thoughts had been in the process. That was all.
“Are you in London for the entire Season, Your Grace?” Lord Kent wanted to know, pulling Henry’s thoughts away from LadyJudith and her feathers. “I hope you have found it a pleasant experience so far.”
“On the whole, it has been enjoyable, yes.” Henry sniffed and looked back at Lady Judith, considering her. She was beautiful, with her blue eyes and fair hair, gently pouting lips and pale complexion but that did not mean that she would satisfy all that he desired in a wife. “I do hope that I will be permitted to come to take tea with you one day soon, Lady Judith?”
This seemed to astonish Lady Judith a great deal, for she stared at him with wide eyes for some moments, her mouth a little ajar – and that made Henry frown. He could not have a young lady by his side who would be so overwhelmed by whatever circumstances came to her!
“Judith?” Lord Kent set a hand on his daughter’s arm. “His Grace was asking you if he could come to take tea?”
Lady Judith blinked quickly. “I – I did not mean to hesitate, Your Grace. In all truth, you astonish me by your consideration and I feel honoured by your request. Yes, of course, you would be welcome to call at any time preferable to you.”
This buoyed Henry’s spirits a little, seeing that Lady Judith’s reaction to his request came from a clear surprise, perhaps recognizing his standing and considering herself in light of that. Such a thing pleased him, he had to admit, so with that in mind, he gave her a nod.
“Excellent. I hope to call later this week.” After a few more moments of conversation, Henry excused himself and stepped away, leaving Lord Kendall to the conversation. He made his way directly towards Lady Ann, though he then began to slow his steps, recognizing that he was not acquainted with her as yet.
He frowned. Should he wait for Lord Kendall? To do so would mean that he would be drawn into conversation with others and might then miss his opportunity to speak with Lady Ann, would it not?
“Your Grace, good afternoon!”
Henry sighed inwardly, recognizing that his hesitation had led him into the very situation he had not wanted to be in. “Good afternoon, Lady Hampshire. Lord Hampshire, I presume?” Being quickly introduced to the Earl, Henry let his gaze fall to Lady Lydia who, he noticed, was regarding him with a flicker of something – perhaps interest – in her eye. It was a rather strange feeling to be studied so, for she was not looking at him in the way that other young ladies did. There was no flush of heat in her cheeks, no sparkle in her eyes, no demure lowering of her lashes as she smiled gently. Rather, it was with consideration that she gazed at him, as though she were trying to make him out, trying to understand him without a word being exchanged between them.
He did not much like it.
“I hear that you are already acquainted with my daughter and that your friend is acquainted with my son!” Lord Hampshire beamed, pleased that there was a connection of sorts between them. “Is Lord Kendall here this afternoon?”
Henry nodded. “Yes, he is.” He caught the way Lord Hampshire threw a glance at his daughter and let his eyebrows lift in surprise. Did Lord Hampshire think that Lady Lydia might have a chance of catching Lord Kendall’s interest? That made his stomach twist at the thought, for if that were to occur, would it not damage his friendship with Lord Kendall? He could not very well pretend he liked Lady Lydia and Lord Kendall was already well aware of that.
“He will come to join me soon,” Henry told him, being careful to keep his gaze away from Lady Lydia, though the way she continued to watch him made his skin crawl with uncomfortable displeasure. “He is to introduce me to Lady Ann, daughter to Lord Gateshead.”
“Oh, but Lydia could do such a thing if you required it!” Lord Hampshire continued to smile broadly in Henry’s direction, gesturing to his daughter as he did so. “She and Lady Ann have only just finished in conversation and I know she would bedelightedto make an introduction. Would you not, Lydia?”
Was it just Henry’s imagination or did he hear a sigh escape from Lady Lydia’s mouth?
“If you should like me to introduce you, then I would be glad too, of course.” Lady Lydia spoke in a dull tone, without a single smile crossing her lips. “She is just a little way over here.”
“And she can take you to Lady Ann, of course.” Lady Hampshire slipped her arm through her husband’s. “It is only a few steps away so we need not join you.” She turned her attention to her daughter, a thin smile on her face. “On you go now, Lydia. Make sure the Duke is properly introduced to Lady Ann.”
Henry frowned, opening his mouth to say that there was no need for such a thing, only to see Lady Lydia turn on her heel and make to walk away from him. There was no chance for him to refuse now, no opportunity for him to say that no, he did not need her assistance. With another glance towards the Earl and Countess – Lady Hampshire with her small smile still present and Lord Hampshire with a wide smile on his round face – Henry nodded and, heaviness in every step, followed after Lady Lydia.
He came beside her, seeing her glance up at him only to then look away again. They walked in silence for a few minutes as frustration began to climb up Henry’s spine.
“I thought you said she was only a few steps away.”
