Page 33 of The Duke's Gamble
Lord Finneston chuckled. “You have no need to fear, Lady Florentina, I am not about to do anything in the least bit improper.”
“No, no, I did not think that,” Florentina answered quickly, her chest tightening with embarrassment. “I am responsible for my sister this afternoon, though our mother is here also but with my youngest sister. I do not wish to appear irresponsible.”
“Ah, I quite understand.” Lord Finneston beamed at her as though she had said something truly remarkable. “Not only is your beauty quite remarkable but you are also a wonderful young lady! To have such consideration and responsibilityspeaks of a high moral character and that is something I value greatly.”
Florentina frowned, not accepting the compliment in any way. “I see. That is most considerate of you to say, Lord Finneston.”
“But of course! I shall always make my considerations known, Lady Florentina. To hide compliments and to keep them back from young ladies that I inwardly admire is foolish, I think and thus, I have decided to speak openly! I do hope that you do not find me too overwhelming.” He laughed at this but Florentina did nothing aside from simply looking at him for a long moment and then turning her head away, wishing that she might pull her arm from his. Lord Finneston was the most unsettling gentleman she had ever come across and she certainly was not enjoying his company. As soon as she could, Florentina intended to step away from him and, thereafter, studiously avoid his company.
A familiar face came towards them and Florentina’s spirits sank all the lower. The light, slightly twisted smile on Lady Dinah’s face did not speak of any real happiness at seeing her and Florentina, her stomach tightening, turned her gaze away in the hope that Lady Dinah might simply walk past them without attempting conversation.
It soon became clear that any such hopes were quite misplaced.
“Lady Florentina! It seems that wherever I go, you are conversing with yetanothergentleman of high society! Who is it this time?”
Florentina flushed hot, her skin prickling as she forced her gaze to Lady Dinah. “We have only just been introduced. This is the Earl of Finneston and, Lord Finneston, this is Lady Dinah.” It was not the most proper nor the most correct way to introduce them both but Florentina was already tired of both thegentleman’s company and now Lady Dinah’s also. She wanted to step away at once but to do so would, she knew, bring about Lady Dinah’s remarks about her conduct and, truth be told, Florentina was a little afraid that the lady might soon then begin to spread rumors about her. That was the last thing she needed, given the complexity of her present situation with the Duke.
“How delighted I am to make your acquaintance!” Lord Finneston, still as bright in his voice as ever, inclined his head and then smiled warmly at Lady Dinah. “I have only just been introduced to Lady Florentina, as she has said, though I was eager for an introduction last evening.”
“Is that so?” Lady Dinah’s lips puckered for a moment, her eyes now sharp as she looked at Florentina. “Goodness, Lady Florentina, it appears as though you are never contented with the gentlemen that are eager for your company! You seek out more and more and more!”
“I was not the one who sought out Lord Finneston, Lady Dinah,” Florentina answered quickly, aware of the needling that Lady Dinah’s words had brought. “Though perhaps I shall step away now and leave you both to conversation.” She made to pluck her hand from Lord Finneston’s arm but, for whatever reason, he tightened his so that she was unable to do so. Her heart began to beat a little faster, fright now charging through her. “My sister and I must soon return home and—”
“Lord Finneston?”
Another familiar voice sent a streak down Florentina’s spine, and she turned quickly, her hand still trapped, only to look into the face of the Duke of Dartmoor. He was frowning heavily, his gaze now going to where her hand sat on Lord Finneston’s arm and Florentina’s heart burned hot in her chest. She tried once more to pull her hand away, but Lord Finneston turned abruptly, causing her to stumble back and, unfortunately, clutch his arm all the more tightly.
“And Lady Florentina.” The Duke’s eyebrows lifted all the more as Florentina steadied herself, another streak of heat running down her spine. “With Lady Dinah present also.” He smiled but it brought no warmth to his eyes. “What an interesting meeting this is.”
“I have only just been introduced to Lord Finneston,” Florentina said quickly, finally managing to pull her hand back. “We came upon Lady Dinah also, and my sister and Lord Crawley are nearby.”
The Duke said nothing, his eyes darting to hers and then pulling away again as though he could not quite look her in the face for long.
“How good to see you, Your Grace!” Lady Dinah sent a bright, warm smile in the direction of the Duke, her eyebrows lifting gently. “Have you come to tell us about the ball you are soon to host? I have been waiting and hoping to hear such news!”
With a clearing of his throat, the Duke nodded. “Yes, of course. I have decided to throw a ball very soon. The invitations are being sent out as we speak.”
Lady Dinah let out a squeal of excitement and clapped her hands in delight, while Florentina searched the Duke’s face, wondering at this announcement. As yet, she had not been informed of the Duke’s intentions of throwing a ball or soiree but somehow, Lady Dinah had known of it. Why had she heard of it before Florentina? From the way the Duke looked and spoke to Lady Dinah, it did not appear as though he was in any way enamored by her but what, Florentina considered, if that was simply a part being played and there was a greater intimacy there between them?
Just as he might now suspect between myself and Lord Finneston.Closing her eyes for a moment, Florentina took in a deep breath and then turned bodily towards the Duke. “YourGrace, I can see that my sister and Lord Crawley are gone a little way down the path already. Might you wish to accompany me as I go towards them? I do not want Christina to be out of my sight, you understand.”
The Duke did not say a word but with a nod, offered her his arm which, within a moment, Florentina took, catching the immediate scowl which settled itself upon Lady Dinah’s face.
“Thank you, Lord Finneston. It was a pleasure to meet you.” She did not mean such a sentiment, of course, but speaking it was right and proper and appeared to mean a great deal to the gentleman, given the way he bowed low.
“But of course. And I do hope that we shall dance together very soon, Lady Florentina.”
With a nod, Florentina turned her head away and, with relief, began to walk alongside the Duke though his stony silence made her heart twist with concern. She suddenly did not know what to say, realising that the thought of the Duke having a stronger connection with Lady Dinah was making her deeply upset and, likewise, fearful that he might think the same of her.
Her breath hitched and, with a suddenness that surprised even her, she turned, pulling the Duke from the path and towards some large bushes. To her relief, he did not pull her back nor hesitate, walking within her until they stood, entirely hidden by shrubbery, and she was staring up into his eyes, her hands now tightly in his.
“I am sorry.” Her breath was coming in short gasps, an urgency to speak quickly, to tell him that what he had seen was nothing that he needed to be suspicious of. “I know that you must have been greatly surprised to see me arm in arm with Lord Finneston but I can promise you, I was only just now introduced to him.” She squeezed her eyes closed again, her lips pressing flat for a moment in frustration. “In truth, he quite astonished me in his fervour. He took my hand withoutmy consent and walked along with me as though I was to be paraded on his arm. And when I tried to step away, his strength prevented it.”
“Florentina, I—”
“I did not like to see you so displeased,” Florentina continued, quickly as she squeezed his fingers lightly as though that might prove her determination. “I was greatly frustrated with what had happened and the circumstances I found myself in and I want you to know that I wouldneverbehave in any way inappropriately with any other gentleman. I know that you have decided to keep our engagement a secret for the time being, but that does not mean that I have any intention of behaving improperly.”
The Duke let out a hiss of breath and dropped his head, his chin going to his chest as Florentina’s heart leapt up, frightened by his reaction. What did he think of her? Was this an outward expression of his own frustration or could it be that he was struggling to believe her words?
