Page 22 of The Duke's Gamble
Samuel cleared his throat. “I cannot be seen with you,” he reminded the gentleman, who quickly nodded, his expression clearing. “I do hope that all goes well.”
“Oh, it shall goverywell,” Lord Allington replied, with a quirk to his lips. “Good afternoon, Your Grace. I shall inform you about the success of my picnic as soon as I am able.”
With a nod, Samuel watched as Lord Allington made his way directly towards the ladies and Lord Barlow, only for his eyes to catch sight of a most familiar figure. His eyebrows lifted, his heart suddenly slamming hard into his chest as he took in the presence of Lord Crawley. Taking a step back for fear that someone would see him, he narrowed his gaze as Lord Crawley not only made his way towards the small, gathered group but soon sat down on the picnic blankets spread out across the grass.
Whatever is he doing?
His jaw set tight as anger flashed through him. Yes, Lord Crawley had expressed his displeasure with all Samuel was doing, but Samuel had never expected his friend would continue his acquaintance with the Haddington family! Surely it could not be that Lord Crawley would inform Lady Florentina of Samuel’s intentions as regarded Lord Allington? There had to be more loyalty in their friendship than that!
“Your Grace?”
Samuel turned, his lips still set in an angry line. He looked into the faces of two young ladies who were both smiling at him for some extraordinary reason, though Samuel himself made very little effort to smile back in return.
“Your Grace, it is very good to see you in the park today.” The first young lady continued to smile brightly as she spoke, even though Samuel's frown lingered also. She did not appear tobe in the least bit perturbed by his heavy-set expression, though her friend did seem to be a little more concerned given the way she bit her lip and then looked away.
“It is a very fine day for walking in the park, is it not?” The young lady beamed up at him, though Samuel did not reply. “Are you to take a turn around the grounds, Your Grace? If you are, then we can offer you our excellent company.”
Clearing his throat, Samuel gestured to the park vaguely. “I had thought to walk alone for a time.” He knew that he was being a little rude and making it quite clear that he had no interest in these young ladies, though this did not concern him in the least. “It is, as you have said, a fine day but I am in the mood for my own company.”
Much to Samuel's frustration, this did not seem to turn the lady away from her clear intention of being with him for a little longer. Her smile remained, her eyes bright as she gazed up at him.
“You say that you are inclined to your own company, Your Grace, but I am sure that once you have spoken with myself and my friend for even a few minutes, you will be glad you have joined us.”
Samuel groaned inwardly, wondering if he ought to groan aloud in the hope that it might persuade her to leave him alone. All he wanted to do was cautiously watch Lord Allington and Lady Florentina, hoping to see just how well his plan was working.
“I think you are disturbing the Duke, Dinah.”
Finally, the second young lady spoke up. She did not look at Samuel, but turned bodily towards her friend, clearly determined to remove them from his company just as soon as she could. “It is clear that he is a gentleman who prefers his own company toanyother company that he might be offered… rude as though it may be.” These last few words were spoken quietly,perhaps in the hope of not being overheard, but hear them he did.
Samuel stiffened. He had a reputation to maintain within society. His acquisition of the Haddington House had reminded him that all he wanted from others in society was that they not only think well of him, but that they thought him the very best of gentlemen—the wealthiest, the most extravagant, the most admired in all of England. Having even the smallest stain on his reputation would be bad indeed! His preoccupation with Lady Florentina and their betrothal had made him forget about his requirement to society, he realised, a flush heating his chest. Yes, he wanted to be free of her, and that had become his primary concern, his sole focus. But was not histruedesire for all of society to look up to him? To shed the lingering shadows of the past and present himself as the greatest of all gentlemen, second only to the king?
Quickly, he changed his expression to one of amiability. “You must forgive me. I am being very cautious indeed, because I do not recall whether or not we have been acquainted before, and I am sure you recognise that a gentleman must do all he can to protect the lady's reputation.” Putting his hands behind his back, he inclined his head and put a smile to his face that he did not really feel. “I must assume that we are already acquainted, for I am sure that such a fine lady as yourself would not havedreamedof coming to speak to a Duke had we not had a previous acquaintance.”
The first lady nodded enthusiastically, though the second remained a little austere, as though she were uncertain of his motivations and sought to preserve a little more distance.
“Of course, Your Grace, I quite understand, for you are a Duke after all. It is of no surprise to me that you cannot recall how many people you have been acquainted with, given that there must be so many coming to shake your hand.” She bobbeda quick curtsy, her blonde ringlets bouncing around as she did so. “Lady Dinah. My father is the Marquess of Wrexham. I am sure that you recall him even if you do not recall me.”
“Lady Dinah, of course. Yes, I do recall now.” If he were to be entirely truthful, Samuel could not remember this young lady at all, but refusing to acknowledge this to either lady, he bowed and then turned to the second. “Might I beg your patience with me also?”
The second young lady tilted her head, observing him. “Lady Sarah, Your Grace. Wewereintroduced last season, though our conversation was only brief.” She cast a quick glance towards her friend. “We were certainly not well enough acquainted for us to come directly to speak with you. You must forgive my friend’s enthusiasm.”
“Your Grace, how very… interesting it is to see you in the park this afternoon.”
Just as Samuel had been about to reply to Lady Sarah, another voice, a more familiar voice, spoke to his left. He turned sharply, a slight stutter catching his lips as he looked into the sharp eyes of Lady Florentina. “Lady Florentina, good afternoon.” Uncertain as to why she had come to speak with him, Samuel did his best to hide his surprise, lifting one eyebrow. “I am sure you cannot think it surprising for a Duke to be taking a turn around the park, especially when the fashionable hour is upon us very soon.”
“Oh, it is not that which has me a little surprised.” Lady Florentina tilted her head. “I am quite certain that you informed me you would not be much seen in society this Season and that I would not often be in your company. It now appears that you aremorethan interested to be involved in society, given that I have not only seen you at a ball but now also out during the fashionable hour.”
Before Samuel could speak, Lady Dinah spoke up. “I am greatly surprised to hear that the Duke has informed you of his plans this Season, Lady Florentina.”
Was that a note of jealousy Samuel heard in her voice? He could not be sure, but rather than pleasing him, it unsettled him.
“Why should he speak to you in such detail? I did not think that you were closely acquainted.”
“Then you are mistaken” Lady Florentina did not say anything more to Lady Dinah, but instead turned her attention again to Samuel. “Is there some reason that you have decided to push yourself into society again?” There was concern flickering in her eyes, and Samuel's stomach twisted. Had Lord Crawley said something to her? Yes, he had every intention of spying on Lady Florentina in the hope that Lord Allington would do what he had intended, but if Lord Crawley had remained silent, then he now feared his presence was causing Lady Florentina to become suspicious of him, and that was not at all what he wanted.
He shrugged. “I have changed my mind. That is all”
Lady Dinah put a hand on his arm, making Lady Florentina’s eyebrows lift.
