Page 8 of The Uncouth Duke of Longford
There came a flurry of welcome and Rachel forced a smile, though she did not look at the gentleman at all. Instead, she let her gaze rove lightly around the group, studiously avoiding him as she did so.
“Might I introduce you to my friend?” Miss Renfrew asked, before quickly making the introductions. Rachel smiled and curtsied, greeting first Miss Hawthorn and then Lord Bretford.
“And let me introduce you to my two new acquaintances,” Miss Hawthorn said thereafter, gesturing to the two gentlemen that were left – which included the beastly gentleman.
“But of course!” Miss Renfrew exclaimed, turning to face them both, though Rachel’s smile became a little fixed as she turned to look at them.
“This is the Earl of Wrexham,” Miss Hawthorn said, as Rachel took in a tall, wiry, blue-eyed and fair haired gentleman who had a very generous smile and a softness about his eyes which endeared him to her at once. “Lord Wrexham, Miss Renfrew and Miss Grifford.”
“A pleasure to be acquainted with you both.”
Rachel smiled and dropped into a curtsy, though when she lifted her head, she saw with interest how Lord Wrexham’s gaze now lingered upon Miss Renfrew.
“And the esteemed Duke of Longford,” Miss Hawthorn finished, forcing Rachel’s smile to disappear as she turned to the gentleman, barely able to look into his eyes. “Your Grace, Miss Renfrew and Miss Grifford.”
“How good to make your acquaintance.” The Duke’s voice was low and gravelly, making Rachel’s heart quicken as she dropped into a curtsy. Was he about to say something to them both? Tell the others gathered here exactly what it was he had overheard them saying about Lord Henderson? There was no truth in his voice, no obvious, expectant delight in his words. When he lifted his head from his bow, his expression was one pulled into a scowl, his eyebrows low over his dark brown eyes and his lips pressed into a sharp, flat line.
Rachel swallowed hard, struggling to look away despite the fact that only a few moments ago, she had to force her eyes to look into his. There was something about him that terrified her, she had to admit. Miss Renfrew’s courage had emboldened her the previous evening but now, in this group of gentlemen and ladies, Rachel found herself quite afraid of him. It was as though all that he thought of her was written in his expression, and Rachel had every expectation of just how little she appeared to be in his eyes.
“It is very good to make your acquaintance,” Miss Renfrew said, her voice filled with a warmth which surprised Rachel. “I do hope you enjoyed the ball last evening?”
“Oh!” Miss Hawthorn looked surprised. “I did not think you were acquainted already.”
“We were not,” Miss Renfrew replied, still smiling. “But we had occasion to talk, both Miss Grifford and myself, with His Grace, though we were not properly introduced.”
“You were at the ball last evening?” Lord Bretford looked directly at the Duke, changing the focus from Rachel and Miss Renfrew and instead, returning it to the Duke himself. “I did not think that you were present.”
Rachel finally dragged her gaze away, suddenly aware of just how clammy her hands had become. The Duke’s presence was rather overwhelming and she silently wished she had listened to her own concerns and had remained behind and let Miss Renfrew step forward, had she truly wished to.
“Rachel?”
Rachel turned quickly, only to see Bettina and her mother approaching. She had not walked too far away from them, having stayed in sight of her mother though, given the look on her mother’s face, it did not seem as though she was particularly pleased that Rachel had gone to speak with those that she was unacquainted with.
“Yes, Mama?” Rachel forced a smile as Bettina’s lips quirked into a smirk, perhaps already aware of what difficulty Rachel was about to find herself in.
“Who is this that you are speaking with?” Lady Carmichael asked, her tone a little superior which made Rachel flush hot. “We are not acquainted with them and –”
“I have just made some new acquaintances, Mama,” Rachel interrupted, speaking as loudly as she dared and ignoring Bettina’s roll of her eyes. “Might I present my mother and my sister to you all? Lady Carmichael and Miss Bettina Grifford. Mama, this is the Duke of Longford, the Earl of Wrexham and –”
“The Duke of Longford?” Lady Carmichael interrupted, her eyes widening as she stared at the gentleman, her hand grasping Rachel’s wrist in, perhaps, an attempt to silence her.
“As you see.” The Duke’s voice was hard, his eyes flicking from Rachel’s mother to Rachel and back again.
“Why, I am acquainted with your dear mother!” Lady Carmichael exclaimed, surprise exploding through Rachel’s chest. “I was truly sorry to hear of your late father’s passing though I believe it was some years ago now?”
The Duke gave a small nod, though his expression did not change. “Yes, that is so.”
“How very good it is to see you in London,” Lady Carmichael continued, as the entire group continued to watch the conversation play out. “Is your dear mother present with you? I should very much like to see her again.”
The Duke cleared his throat but shook his head. “No. She resides with my sister and her family at present.”
Lady Carmichael visibly slumped. “I see. I shall write to her, however, and express my joy in seeing you returned to London. How glad I am that you are now acquainted with my daughter!”
Rachel heard this and for a moment, thought that her mother was referring to her given that Bettina had only just been introduced. She quickly realized that Lady Carmichael had put her hand on Bettina’s shoulder and the two were now beaming at the Duke of Longford, leaving her behind them both just as they usually did. Her spirits sank and she closed her eyes briefly for a moment before turning her head away. Yet again, her mother had made it quite plain – both to her and now to those watching and listening – that Rachel was not worthy of the same attention as Bettina. Bettina was to be the one pressed forward, Bettina was the one who was to gain the attention first and foremost. Rachel was to get nothing.
“I believe I am acquainted withbothyour daughters now, Lady Carmichael.”
Rachel’s eyes flared in surprise as she turned her head to look at the Duke of Longford, though he was steadfastly not looking at her but held Lady Carmichael’s gaze instead.
