Page 18 of The Uncouth Duke of Longford
“I mean every word,” he swore, seeing a small smile tilt up one side of her mouth. “I am being entirely genuine, Miss Grifford.”
“And I believe you,” she said, simply. “If you recall, Your Grace, I was very well able to distinguish that your attitude previously was not as it ought to have been.”
He found himself smiling, a little relieved that she was so amenable to his apology. “Yes, I do recall that,” he agreed, quietly. “You were able to speak very frankly to me – not that I did not deserve that, however.”
She laughed then and Andrew took the opportunity to step forward and take her up in his arms as the music for the waltz began. The laughter lingered in her expression as they stepped about the floor together, softening into a gentle smile as the steps they took together seemed to merge into one. There was no tugging this way and that, no mistaking one step for another. Instead, there was a beautiful simplicity in their dance, as though they both knew exactly what the other was thinking and were able to anticipate the next step each person took. His arm tightened around her just a little, the other hand holding tight to hers as he looked down into her eyes.
His heart slammed hard against his ribs and Andrew sucked in air, his breathing rapidly quickening. Whatever was happening here? What was this strange warmth which now flooded his heart? It could not only be sympathy, could it? He had felt sympathy and sorrow before, had he not? This was certainly not at all what he had felt like at that time, so what was this new, strange sensation?
Fear reached up over his shoulder and wrapped cold fingers around his heart. The dance came to an end and when Miss Grifford sighed contentedly and stepped back from him, Andrew found himself frowning. He bowed, and he offered her his arm as he ought and then led her back to her mother, but he did not dare say a word – not when his mind was whirring through the various sensations which now poured through him.
This had been a dreadful idea, he told himself, forcing a smile as he bowed and then hurriedly stepped away. Dancing with Miss Grifford was something he could never dare do again for fear that whatever was going on in his heart at present would only increase until it became something that would never leave his heart again.
Chapter Nine
“We have to speak, Rachel.”
Rachel looked up from her embroidery. “Yes, Mama?”
“The Duke of Longford.”
Her mother came a little further into the room and then sat down, her hands clasped in her lap though her eyes were fixed to Rachel’s with a fervency which Rachel did not like in the least. There was no smile upon her mother’s face and indeed, the way she looked at her made Rachel feel as though she had done something wrong.
She chose to say nothing, waiting until her mother chose to speak again and praying that this conversation would not lead her into any sort of difficulty.
“The Duke of Longford danced twice with you last evening,” her mother said eventually, her tone grating. “Why?”
Rachel blinked in surprise. “I do not understand what you mean, Mama.”
“Why did he choose to dance with you?”
“I do not know.”
Lady Carmichael narrowed her gaze just a little. “He said something about Lord Chadwick – ”
“Lord Chiddick,” Rachel corrected quickly, seeing her mother’s face beginning to turn red. “He is the Duke’s cousin. Miss Renfrew and I were introduced to him when we took our walk in the park.”
Lady Carmichael drew herself up. “And you did not think to introduce this Marquess to your sister?”
Rachel blinked and then frowned. “I had no opportunity, Mama. You took Bettina to go in search of someone – I do not know who – and Miss Renfrew and I walked together around theballroom. Lord Chiddick then found us, signed our dance cards – as did Lord Wrexham – and when Miss Renfrew had to take her leave for the dance, I then spied both Bettina and you and returned to join you both.”
This did not appear to be a good enough explanation for Lady Carmichael, however, for she narrowed her eyes, tossed her head and then rose to her feet. “It is quite incomprehensible to me that the Duke of Longford would stand up with you but refuse to even consider Bettina.”
The harsh words crashed into Rachel’s heart and she looked away, aware of the feeling of tears clogging her throat.
“You have shown your sister very little consideration by not insisting at once that she come to be introduced to the Marquess of Chiddick,” Lady Carmichael continued. “Do you not understand how important it is for your sister to be well known amongst theton? Everyone must see her beauty and her finesse! That way, the gentlemen of London will be eager to pursue her and she will have her choice of suitors.”
Rachel swallowed her tears, took in a breath and looked up at her mother. “And what about me?”
It was the first time she had ever dared say something to that effect and the way her mother’s eyes narrowed told Rachel that she had set foot into dangerous territory. Evidently, her mother believed that what she was doing by showing favoritism towards Bettina was quite fair and Rachel, in questioning that, was doing a great wrong.
“What about you, Rachel?” Lady Carmichael put her hands to her hips. Her eyes spitting shards of glass. “You have attended every ball we have done together, have we not? You have been introduced to various gentlemen, you have danced with – ”
“No, Mama.” Aware of the shaking within her soul, Rachel forced the words out, telling herself to be brave. “I have not been introduced to various gentlemen. That has been Bettina. Youhave chosenherto go and greet various gentlemen whereas I have been left to stand in the shadows. Do you not recall, at our debut ball, how you were eager for me to wait for your return and then, during the course of the entire ball, you did not come back in search of me once?” She watched as her mother’s hands fell to her sides, though her eyes remained fixed and angry. Emboldened, Rachel continued on regardless, forcing the words from her mouth. “I have not been given the same opportunities as Bettina, Mama. Yes, I have danced a good many dances but that has only been because the gentlemen I have danced with are of my own acquaintance. Miss Renfrew has been my support in that before you think that there has been anything improper, but I can assure you that it is not because ofyourdoing that I have found myself dancing. I understand that Bettina takes a great deal of your attention and your time but that does not mean that I ought to be forgotten.”
Lady Carmichael paused, her eyes rounding as though she had never once realized what it was she was doing as regarded Rachel. “I – I do not think that I forget you,” she began, though there was no anger in her tone now but rather a confusion, a hesitation there instead. “Bettinaoughtto come first because she is the eldest, however.” She nodded, though half to herself as though to confirm that what she was thinking was quite correct. “Which means that you still ought to make sure that she is introduced to the very same gentlemen that you are acquainted with.Andyou must make certain that the Duke of Longford dances with her!”
“And how can I do that?” Rachel got to her feet, exasperated and upset that despite her boldness, her mother did not seem to understand in the least what it was that she was saying. “What is it that you expect me to say to the Duke of Longford to force him to dance with Bettina? Do not think for a moment that I have any sort of hold or influence upon the Duke, Mama! I wasas astonished as both Bettina and yourself at how he asked me to dance. I did not think for a moment that he would truly do so – and certainly not the waltz either!”
