Page 37 of The Uncouth Duke of Longford
He signed it without really looking at it, though he made sure to take the waltz. It would be expected for him to take the waltz and he had to admit to himself that he had enjoyed dancing that with her.
“It is so exciting to hear that you are courting Miss Grifford,” one of the ladies said, her eyes flickering with an emotion that Andrew could not quite make out. “What was it about her that caught your attention?”
“Especially when she has an older sister,” said another, tilting her head so that she could study him a little morecarefully. “Did Miss Bettina Grifford not come into your view at all?”
Andrew blinked, a little surprised at the question and finding himself rather embarrassed that the lady thought it was quite all right for her to speak in this way. “I – ”
“It is rather improper for you to suggest that the Duke ought to court someone else, Miss Kensington,” another lady said before Andrew could speak any further. “Especially when the lady herself is present!”
Realizing that the lady speaking was none other than Miss Renfrew, Andrew let out a slow breath and then offered her a small smile, which she returned.
“I chose Miss Grifford – MissRachelGrifford – because she is the one who piqued my interest,” he stated, noticing how Miss Kensington frowned and Miss Grifford herself flushed. “Now, Miss Grifford, might you like to take a walk around the ballroom? Miss Renfrew, would you like to join us as chaperone?”
Miss Renfrew grinned. “I should like it very much.”
Miss Grifford nodded but said nothing, coming to stand beside Andrew and then taking his arm, following along with him as they walked away together. Miss Renfrew fell into step beside her, though much to Andrew’s surprise, Lord Wrexham appeared also, perhaps having listened to the entire conversation.
“I thought I might walk with you, Miss Renfrew,” he said, throwing her a smile. “It may be that the Duke and Miss Grifford will have opportunity then to speak together without fear of being overheard by us!”
Miss Renfrew quickly agreed and though they walked beside them still, Andrew was now able to converse with Miss Grifford without interruption though, as he looked at her, he foundhimself struggling to know what to say, his thoughts beginning to whir one over the other.
“Miss Grifford,” he began, stammering a little, “I – I do hope that you were not too upset by all those questioning you. If they were anything akin to that last one, then that must have been very troubling.”
She glanced at him, then shook her head. “They were not too difficult to answer,” she replied, her voice a little quiet so that he had to strain to hear her. “I suppose it should be expected.”
“Mayhap.” A sense of protectiveness rose up over him and he frowned hard, wondering at the unsettling sensation. It was not something that he had expected to feel as regarded Miss Grifford and strangely, it had only grown within him as they had commenced their courtship.
“They were very fervent with their questions,” Miss Grifford continued, offering him a wry smile. “But I was able to answer them all.”
“Your father was very fervent also this afternoon,” Andrew told her, making her eyes alight with a sudden good humor. “Did I tell you that I did not even have to ask him to court you? He shook my hand and told me that I already had his permission to court you. I did not even need to speak a word!”
Miss Grifford laughed and as she did so, Andrew felt her relax. It was as though all the tension which she had carried with her since the barrage of questions had faded simply from being in his company.
“I do look forward to dancing with you this evening,” he said, quietly. “I think it will be a very pleasant evening in that regard, at least.”
“Though we must still consider who it is that is pursuing your harm,” came the reply, that smile fading. “I think – ”
Andrew shook his head, finding himself speaking before he even had a chance to think of what he wanted to say. “I think Ishould like it if we did what we could to enjoy this evening rather than worry about who is doing what behind my back. There is a great deal to think on at the moment, Miss Grifford but for this evening, might we consider only what we have told theton? It is a significant enough event for us to be courting and that, perhaps, is all we ought to be considering this evening. Mayhap we might find ourselves enjoying it for a short while rather than worrying about everything else.”
Her steps slowed and she turned her head to look at him a little more fully, making Andrew’s stomach twist. He had not intended to say such a thing but seeing what she had endured with the questions and now aware of the worry on her face, Andrew found himself eager to settle that within her just a little.
“That would be very pleasant,” she said, after a few moments, her smile sending a fresh lightness into his heart. “Thank you, Your Grace. Though you should still be careful.”
“Oh, I shall be,” he agreed with a half-smile. “I have decided I shall not eat a single thing this evening or, in fact, drink anything without pouring it myself. In that regard, I think I shall be quite all right.”
Miss Grifford’s smile grew all the brighter and with a nod, she continued walking with him again. “That sounds very sensible, Your Grace.”
“Andrew.”
Her head turned again sharply, blinking up at him.
“You should call me Andrew, though only when we are in private conversation,” he explained, seeing the way her eyes flared. “That is, only if you should like to.”
A touch of pink came into Miss Grifford’s cheeks and after a moment, she nodded though the smile she offered him was a little shy. “I should like to. But you may then call me Rachel, if you wish.”
“Rachel.” Her name on his lips made the warmth in her cheeks grow all the more and Andrew found himself smiling back at her. They had only agreed to commence their courtship this afternoon and yet, already, he felt a strengthening of their connection.
That brought to mind a troubling thought. Lord Wrexham had already suggested that even should the truth be discovered as to who was doing this to him, he should keep his courtship with Miss Grifford maintained. But if he did so, that would lead to engagement and, subsequently, to marriage.
