Page 9 of An Arranged Betrothal with an Icy Duke
“Edith.” Lord Tidemore rubbed his hands together, as though he were putting a great scheme into place. “I should be delighted to introduce you to her.”
Henry nodded. “I shall see if the playing of her violin is just as you have said,” he stated, lifting his eyebrows just a little, though the gentleman nodded fervently, clearly determined to prove that this was, in fact, the case. “And if she is as good as you have said, then I shall be all the more inclined to believe the other things you have said of her.”
The way the Viscount stared at him made Henry’s lips quirk. Evidently, this gentleman had not expected there to be any sort of positive response to his invitation and suggestionof an introduction to his daughter and now, he was somewhat overwhelmed. “Lord Tidemore?”
“Yes, yes, of course, Your Grace!” Lord Tidemore exclaimed, enthusiasm filling his voice and his expression. “Thank you, that is wonderful. I look forward to being able to introduce you to Edith.” He bowed low and for a little too long. “Thank you again, Your Grace. Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon.” A little amused at the enthusiasm of the gentleman, Henry waited until the man had quit the room before he picked up the envelope again and then opened it. The invitation was beautifully written and told him exactly what was taking place and when it was to be and, as he read over the lines, Henry found his interest growing. It was to be his first foray into society since he had come back to London and, though there would be many a person looking at him, eager for his attention, there was only one person Henry would focus on that evening.
Edith.
Might it be that I have already found my bride?
There was no flicker of joy nor even of excitement as he considered what was to happen next. Yes, he would be introduced to the lady and yes, he would find himself considering her, watching her as she played and conversed and laughed with others, but none of that brought him any sort of happiness. This was all to be very practical indeed, a match which, if it came to fruition, would be nothing other than an arranged match borne from practicality. He had no desire to court the young lady, had no interest in pursuing her, in showering interest upon her but instead thought of it only in terms of suitability.
Hearing the door handle turn, Henry waited with a frown spreading across his features as he waited for his mother to poke her head in through the door.
“You need not hide yourself behind the door, Mother, Lord Tidemore has already quit the house.”
In an instant, the Duchess sailed through the door with one eyebrow lifted slightly as she gazed back at Henry. “You were entertaining? I thought you had no intention of doing such a thing as that.”
“It was an invitation to a musical soiree, Mother,” Henry told her, holding up the card though he did not hand it to her. “I will be attending.”
She looked back at him for a moment, her expression a little hidden from him as though she were considering everything he had said and found herself now a little concerned. “Lord Tidemore is a Viscount, Fairglen.”
“I am well aware of that.”
“Then you cannot be – ”
“There are to be many guests present, Mother,” Henry interrupted, unwilling to tell her that he was considering becoming acquainted with the Viscount’s daughter. He was too tired of the same argument and did not want to have to speak about such things again. “I thought that you would be pleased at my interest.”
“Of course I am.” She managed a small smile though there was still a shadow in her eyes which Henry could not quite make out the reason for. “You will have to inform me at once if there is any young lady there that you might consider. I will know of their family better than you, I think.”
Henry nodded but said nothing more, having no interest in anything further his mother had to say. In his heart, he believed that she was doing all she could to protect him, to make certain that he did not end up in the same situation as he had before, but that brought with it its own frustrations.
“Are you going to join me for dinner this evening?” she asked, making her way back to the door so she might leave himalone again in his sanctuary which, with her presence, was a good deal less a sanctuary than he had hoped.
“Yes, I shall. Though,” he said, sharply, making her turn to look at him, “only if we do not speak of any young ladies, my intentions as regards matrimony or the invitation I have just received. I will not engage in any sort of discussion as regards that.”
She sniffed but nodded, stepping out again and closing the door behind her. Henry let out a slow breath and then set the invitation to one side. His gaze went to the small stack of calling cards which he had received from the butler earlier that day. Did he want to go through them? To look at each and every one to see if he recognized the name? With a snort, Henry shook his head to himself and then, after a moment, picked up the invitation again and set it back down on top of the stack of cards. He might have already secured his bride and, if this Edith did not satisfy,thenhe would return to the stack of cards. Until then, he would give no more thought to it.
Chapter Five
“Edith?”
Edith turned quickly as her father’s hand settled on her shoulder. “Yes, Father?”
“There is something I must speak to you about. I know that the musical evening is to start within the hour and the house is a little in uproar but this is important.”
Seeing the gravity settle into her father’s hazel eyes, Edith nodded and clasped her hands in front of her, squeezing them hard as though she wanted to do nothing more than to push the worry from herself.
“It is about this evening,” he began. “Now, you must recall how important this evening is.”
“Iamprepared, Father,” Edith assured him, quickly. “I have done nothing but practise these last few days.”
He smiled. “I know and I am well aware that you do not particularly want to play in front of an audience and in that, I am delighted that you are doing so.”
Choosing not to remind her father that she had never had a choice in the matter, Edith kept a small smile pinned to her lips.
