Page 3 of The Uncouth Duke of Longford
“I see.” Rachel smiled and looked at her. “Is he nearby?”
Miss Renfrew’s smile faded. “Unfortunately my father does not seem to believe that this promise to my mother requires him to be present with me when we are in a ballroom. He is, I think, in the games room, playing cards with various other gentlemen.”She let out a laugh which to Rachel's ears did not sound in the least bit joyful or even a little mirthful. “Thus I am entirely by myself, though perhaps with you by my side, I will not look so improper. In truth, I did not know what I was to do with myself this evening.”
“I am a little relieved to hear it for, in truth, I was feeling a little sorry for myself.” Rachel shrugged lightly. “Mayhap we can be each other’s chaperone – even though it is not exactly proper – but it is certainly better than standing alone.” Seeing Miss Renfrew's smile grow all the more, she laughed lightly despite the sadness of her words. “I do not think that my own mother will care for my presence here at this ball, or at any ball. In fact, not until perhaps she has made certain that Bettina is married. MayhapthenI will be considered, though in truth, now that I say it, I do not expect that to happen, not even when Bettina is wed. Mayhap I will be thrown to some cousin or an ancient bachelor.”
“Is that so?” Miss Renfrew looked back at Rachel, her eyes a little wide. “It seems that we are both in the very same situation, are we not? I fear that I too will be given an arrangement with anyone my father deems worthy.”
Rachel sighed. “Yes, we are in the same situation, though I am all the more glad that you were willing to remain in my company even when I clearly had forgotten your name,” she said, making Miss Renfrew laugh. “Now, you have been in London for one more Season than I. You must tell me which gentleman I am to avoid and which are quite suitable for me to stand up with, should I be asked.”
“Oh, I am certain youshallbe asked many times,” Miss Renfrew said cheerfully, her smile big and bright. “But you are quite right to be cautious. There are many gentlemen here in London and a good deal of them have an attachment to their names which is not at all favorable.”
“Then I certainly should be glad to know their names,” Rachel replied quickly. “On our travel over here, Bettina was quite vocal, determined that she would have her dance card filled this evening, given that it is her debut ball. I confess that I am a good deallessinclined towards hurrying to that. I would rather be aware of the gentlemen and their reputations also. Not that I expect to make any sort of match this season, however.” Her shoulders lifted and then fell. “But I can still dance.”
“I am sorry that you will not be offered the same as your sister,” Miss Renfrew replied softly, clearly seeing the pain on Rachel's face despite her attempts to hide it. “That is not at all fair, and my heart is filled with sympathy for you.”
Rachel tried to laugh, tried to wave her concern away but she could not. Instead, she simply let out a slow breath and then shrugged her shoulders. “What is it that I can do?” she questioned quietly, aware of the heaviness in her soul. “It is not something that I am at all pleased with, but the situation is as it stands. Bettina will always be given preferential treatment and I am expected to bow to her demands also as though I was one of her servants! As though I was her lady’s maid, ready to do all that is asked of me.” Seeing Miss Renfrew’s eyes flare wide with surprise, Rachel’s face grew hot as embarrassment flooded her. Why had she spoken so? Why had she not been able to hold herself back? Flushing, she shook her head and then looked away. “Forgive me, I ought not to be speaking of such things.”
“You carry a heavy burden. It is understandable that you would wish to have someone to speak with.” Miss Renfrew looped her arm through Rachel's, offering her a small dose of comfort which Rachel grasped at once. “I should like to tell you something. Given that you have spoken to me with such honesty, permit me to do the same, that way, you will feel quite secure in the knowledge you have shared with me.” There came a few quiet moments thereafter as Miss Renfrew’s eyes grew seriousand then shook her head. “I know what it is like to feel discarded. My mother does the very same to me, even though my sister is already married and, as I have said, given birth to her first child – a boy, of course – for which everyone is extremely delighted. My mother dotes upon my sister and is quite determined to spend as much time with her as she can. Even though this is my second season and there is a growing requirement for me to marry, my mother has no interest whatsoever in encouraging or helping me as I seek out a future husband. It is painful to be treated so. I can understand your pain, Miss Grifford, for I carry the same heaviness within my own soul.”
Rachel nodded slowly, her heart filled with the sudden sympathy as she understood exactly what it was that her friend was talking about. How blessed she had been to come upon Miss Renfrew so soon after stepping into the ballroom! There was already a balm there for her painful heart. “Then we are very similar indeed,” she said quietly. “I think that is a good thing, given that we will be able to understand one another and have the sympathy for each other’s situations.”
“I quite agree.” After a moment, Miss Renfrew let out a quiet laugh, her eyes sparkling once more. “Did you know that I was standing a short distance away for some minutes and had watched your mother take her leave of you? I did think I would be a little odd to come over and introduce myself, but in the end I decided to do so. I am glad that I did.”
“As am I.”
They continued to amble around the ballroom, talking to each other and having no urgency to return to where they had come from or speak to any of the other guests present. At one time, Rachel caught sight of her mother and father as they stood together, talking to a tall, broad-shouldered gentleman, the one she herself was not permitted to be introduced to, but her attention was quickly diverted by her friend pointing out agentleman Rachel oughtnotto meet. Everything was going very well indeed and, to her delight, Rachel found herself enjoying the ball a good deal, even though she was not dancing or conversing with anyone other than Miss Renfrew.
“Now, there is Lord Henderson.”
Rachel listened closely to all that her new friend was telling her, seeing the various gentlemen and some ladies that were being pointed out. Lord Henderson, it seemed, was a gentleman who showed a great deal of interest in many ladies but never settled on anyone. He was a flirt and, to Miss Renfrew’s mind, a bit of a rogue.
“I shall certainly make certain never to accept a dance from him, then,” Rachel said, confidently. “I thank you for your guidance in this, Miss Renfrew. It is very helpful indeed.”
Someone cleared their throat and Rachel started in surprise.
“Might you two ladies remove yourselves from my company? It is most displeasing to hear you speak badly about my friends and acquaintances.”
Turned quickly, a gasp of surprise lodged in Rachel’s throat as she stared into the face of a gentleman whom she did not know in the least. Quite why he had the audacity to speak so, Rachel could not understand for the gentleman ought not to be eavesdropping in the first place… though she would not dare to say so.
Thankfully, Miss Renfrew had no qualms whatsoever. “I beg your pardon?” Miss Renfrew's eyebrows arched, her voice rather loud. “I believe that I can say whatever it is I wish towithoutbeing interrupted by a gentleman who is not known to me.
“Is that so?”
Rachel took in the gentleman's face, seeing the way his lip curled and his dark eyes glittered with an obvious dislike as he sneered obviously at Miss Renfrew.
“You are speaking badly of those I call friends,” he said curtly. “Either desist or remove yourself from standing near me. I do not like to hear such words.”
Swallowing her friend, Rachel drew in a breath and spoke up. “Might I suggest that ifyoudo not like to hear such words, you take yourself away from us, rather than expecting us to remove ourselves from you?” Rachel's heart clattered in her chest as the gentleman turned his eyes towards her, his gaze narrowing. Continuing to look at him steadily and lifting her chin just a little as though to prove to him she had no intention of acting upon his words, Rachel struggled to hold her gaze steady. The gentleman was sitting in a chair, his legs straight out, and crossed at the ankle and one elbow propping up his chin. His jaw was sharp, his eyes unwavering and dark hair scattered across his forehead. There did not seem to be even the smallest amount of happiness in his expression and Rachel resisted the desire to shiver lightly.
“You are both very impolite young ladies.” The gentleman looked away, as though he could not bear to take another look at them. “It is just as well that you are standing near the back of the room. I am sure that no gentleman of my acquaintance would ever want to be in prolonged company with either of you.”
His words stung and Rachel snatched in a breath, feeling tears burning behind her eyes. Miss Renfrew, however, folded her arms across her chest and held the gentleman's gaze steadily, her voice now rising with clear anger.
“And I believe thatyouare quite impertinent,” she responded, though Rachel herself remain silent. “First of all, we see that you have been eavesdropping, and secondly, you place such a demand up on us that speaks of nothing more than arrogance. Indeed, I am quite astonished that a gentleman would demand such things of two ladies – two ladies whom hehas never been introduced to! Pray tell me, do you speak toallyoung ladies in such a manner?”
Rachel found herself smiling, the heat behind her eyes gone as the gentleman frowned heavily. Miss Renfrew had a great deal of courage, Rachel thought silently, delighted that her friend had been able to speak with such terse words, forcing the gentleman to consider his own actions. That courage filled her own spirits and she nodded half to herself and in clear support of her friend’s words.
Evidently, however, the gentleman did not take very kindly to Miss Renfrew’s question, for he rose out of his chair and, coming closer, glared down at them both. He was a full head taller than Rachel and a head and a half taller than Miss Renfrew, making his stature rather intimidating. He clearly knew what he was doing given the way his eyes glittered, a smile carving its way across his face though it filled his expression with nothing but coldness. Miss Renfrew took a small step back but did not falter in her gaze, making the gentleman chuckle darkly.
