Page 11 of The Uncouth Duke of Longford
“I did not findthatparticularly pleasing, I must admit,” Bettina said, her voice turning into something of a whine. “He had no reason to correct you, Mama. I am sure that he was well able to understand your meaning.”
“There is a heaviness about his expression and his demeanour,” Lady Carmichael admitted, quietly. “I must confess that is something of a concern – though I should still like you to be in his company as often as you can this evening, Bettina. It may be that your presence will lift his heavy spirits.”
“I should like that,” Bettina sighed, sounding quite contented. “I am sure that I will be able to make him laugh andsmile and the like. All I require is an opportunity to be in his company.”
“Which you will be sure to have,” Lady Carmichael said, determinedly. “Ah, there is our carriage. Come now, Bettina.”
Rachel’s heart dropped as her mother gestured for Bettina to step forward, leaving Rachel herself to trail behind. Yet again, she was being forgotten about. Yet again, she was left entirely alone and if she had remained behind, if she had chosen to stay at home, Rachel was quite certain that her mother would not even have noticed her absence.
Sitting down in the carriage seat, Rachel folded her hands in her lap and looked out of the window. The streets were dark, the moon already high in the sky though the sky itself was not overly black thanks to the summer hours. She let out a slow breath of relief, her smile lifting gently as she took in the beauty of the evening. Even in this moment, even in the way that her mother forgot about her, she could still have a little happiness. There was still beauty here and, she had to hope that Miss Renfrew would be present as well this evening, so she might have a little company.
She did not have to wait for long to see that she had been right to hope. Miss Renfrew was waiting for her when she walked into the ballroom and immediately slung her arm through Rachel’s.
“How glad I am to see you! My father deposited me with a friend and thereafter, took himself to the games room so he might play cards with another gentleman.”
“I am sorry to hear it.” Rachel offered her friend a small smile. “I have not yet been introduced to your father.”
“I shall do so at the very next opportunity,” Miss Renfrew promised, “though I cannot say when that will be, I am afraid.”
Rachel smiled back at her and then, glancing to where her mother had begun to walk Bettina in one direction, turned themboth in the same direction also. “I should follow, though it seems as though my father has gone in the same direction as yours, given that he is now nowhere to be found!”
Miss Renfrew chuckled quietly. “Would wish that I was a gentleman! I would be able to go where I pleased and do whatever I wished without any concerns whatsoever. Though I am not certain I should enjoy gambling in the same way that my father appears to! It takes up almost all of his time and indeed, he does not do anything other than this with his companions. That and drink a good deal of port or French brandy!”
Rachel laughed at this, her spirits lifting all the more. Even though the circumstances were a little less than delightful, she found herself happy that her friend was present. “Now, do you think that you are going to dance this evening? It will mean that we will have to stop and speak to other gentlemen and ladies however, rather than keep our own counsel.”
Miss Renfrew chuckled. “I suppose that I should, for, truth be told, I am meant to be finding a match for myself this Season and I cannot do that unless I actually integrate myself with others present.”
“I suppose that is true,” Rachel laughed. “Now, tell me if there are any gentlemen present that you might be considering. There are so many of them! I am sure you could get your dance card entirely filled, should you desire it!”
“I am not certain that I do, for then I shall have no time whatsoever to speak with you!” came the reply. “Though look, there is Lord Wrexham approaching. I think I should be very glad to speak with him.”
Rachel glanced to her friend, interest lifting her eyebrow but there was no time for her to say what was in her thoughts for Lord Wrexham had already approached and was now bowing towards them both.
“Good evening, Miss Renfrew, Miss Grifford,” he said, his smile broad. “What a pleasant evening this is! What a jovial evening!”
“Indeed it is,” Miss Renfrew replied, throwing a quick look towards Rachel who only smiled. “I have heard that Lord Richardson’s balls are meant to be the most wonderful of all.”
“I think they are, yes,” Lord Wrexham replied, “though I think my evening would be all the more delightful if you would agree to dance with me, Miss Renfrew.” He smiled and then quickly turned his attention to Rachel, his eyes flaring for a moment as though he feared she thought she had been forgotten. “And you also, of course, Miss Grifford.”
“How very generous of you, Lord Wrexham.” Rachel waited until Miss Renfrew had slipped her dance card from her wrist and thereafter, did the same. She was quite certain that Lord Wrexham was interested in furthering his connection with Miss Renfrew, for she had seen the flicker of interest in his eyes when he had come to greet them both. And it was no coincidence that he had asked Miss Renfrew for her dance card first! Whether Miss Renfrew noticed that or not, Rachel was not certain, but she was sure that interest would grow all the more, should Miss Renfrew encourage it.
“The quadrille for you, Miss Grifford,” Lord Wrexham murmured, handing Rachel back her dance card, “and the waltz for you, Miss Renfrew. I… I presume that is quite all right? I was not certain if you have permission to dance the waltz as yet?”
Miss Renfrew laughed though Rachel noticed the flush of color which instantly came into her cheeks. “I have permission,” she said, softly. “I thank you for your consideration, Lord Wrexham. That is very kind of you. I do not think I have danced the waltz as yet this Season.”
“Then I am all the more honoured,” Lord Wrexham replied, quietly. “I thank you, Miss Grifford, Miss Renfrew. I lookforward to our dances. I – ah, good evening, Your Grace! I was not certain that you would be attending this evening.”
Rachel turned her head, a spike of energy rushing up her frame as she took in the Duke’s dark expression. He was not smiling. Rather, he was scowling as though what had been offered to him by way of greeting was most displeasing.
“You know very well that I was to be in attendance this evening,” he said, still scowling. “I told you so myself earlier today.”
“Ah, but that did not offer me any certainty,” came the reply as Miss Renfrew and Rachel shared a glance. “Though I am glad to see you here. I was just now speaking with Miss Renfrew and Miss Grifford, as you can see.”
“I can see that.” The Duke did not so much as smile, coming to stand by Lord Wrexham and letting his dark eyes flicker from Rachel to Miss Grifford and back again. “Good evening.”
“Good evening,” Miss Renfrew replied quickly, though Rachel only nodded. “Are you intending to dance this evening?”
Rachel snatched in a breath, a little astonished at how audacious Miss Renfrew was. It was not as though she herself wanted to dance with the Duke and she was sure that Miss Renfrew did not have any intention of doing so either.
