Page 21 of The Duke's Reluctant Muse
“Because he is recovering from a slight malady,” Miss Jeffries put in, her smile gentle. “Though I am glad to say that it is much improved of late. I am sure that spending time in society and away from his books and responsibilities has given him a great deal of relief.”
“But of course it will!” Lady Winsford replied, talking only to Miss Jeffries rather than to Jonathan. “I am sorry to hear he has been unwell, however. A malady that lingers can be a little trying.”
Jonathan nodded, looking away but struggling to know what else to say by way of conversation. He had managed to do so very easily with the first three ladies that he had pursued but since his failures, since his awareness that society still viewed him as a gentleman with a dark disposition, he now was finding it all very difficult indeed. Besides that, he also recalled just how ridiculous he had been to speak as he had done to Lady Matheson at the first soiree he had taken Miss Jeffries to. No doubt that too had wound its way through society by now, leaving him with an even more dreadful reputation.
“It is just as well that the Duke has such a generous spirit and kind heart,” he heard Miss Jeffries say, turning his gaze back towards her. “Without his willingness, I would be sitting at home this evening, wishing that I was here!”
Lady Winsford finally turned her attention to Jonathan, her eyes catching his for just a moment before pulling away. “How very good of you, Your Grace.”
“It is nothing,” Jonathan answered, seeing Lady Pearl look away again. His heart began to hammer, his mouth going dry and his hands became hot as he shifted from foot to foot. He felt as though he were already being torn apart by these two ladies, as though their eyes took every part of him, body and soul, and discarded it. Either they had heard about his actions some years ago – without truly understanding why he had done it – or they knew of his foolishnessthisSeason. Either way, he had no hope whatsoever, despite what Miss Jeffries had suggested.
“Oh, I do not think that Lady Pearl heard your question, Your Grace.”
Jonathan’s eyes shot to Miss Jeffries’, just as Lady Pearl’s head twisted back towards them, her own eyes wide with a clear concern that she had behaved improperly.
“Question?” she asked, as Lady Winsford frowned heavily, obviously thinking that she herself had not heard anything fromhis mouth. “I am truly sorry, Your Grace. I was… I was distracted for a moment.”
“It does not matter.” Jonathan looked again to Miss Jeffries, all the more confused – and now a little panicked – as to what it was he was meant to say to Lady Pearl. “Please, do not concern yourself.”
“He was only asking if you had enjoyed the Season thus far.” Miss Jeffries set a hand to Jonathan’s arm for a moment, throwing him a smile though her eyes were sharp. “Such is his graciousness, he will not wish to trouble you.”
She is doing her best to assist me.Realizing what it was she was doing by saying such things, Jonathan breathed out slowly, letting his shoulders drop rather than hold them high with tension. “Indeed, Lady Pearl. Please do not trouble yourself, as I have said. But I do hope that youhavebeen enjoying the Season?”
She nodded fervently, her eyes still wide. “Yes, of course. It has been most pleasant.”
“And do you enjoy the fashionable hour?” Jonathan asked, relieved that another question had come to his mind so quickly. “I was present yesterday afternoon in Hyde Park and confess to you that it was something of a crowd!”
Lady Pearl nodded again, glancing to her mother who was still frowning. “It can be so, indeed. There are often so many gentlemen and ladies present, I can find it rather difficult to find an acquaintance!”
Jonathan smiled as best he could, relieved when Lady Pearl returned it. “I am sure that cannot be true,” he said, as Miss Jeffries smiled up at him, perhaps by way of encouragement. “You must have a good many acquaintances, Lady Pearl and I am sure that each of them would have sought you out for conversation.”
This made Lady Pearl blink rapidly, only for a hint of color to touch her cheeks as she looked away, a smile beginning to tug at her lips. “You are very kind to say so, Your Grace.”
Jonathan said nothing, looking to Miss Jeffries who beamed at him, clearly delighted with all that had been said and how well the conversation was going. He took in a slow breath, licking his lips and then glancing back from Miss Jeffries to Lady Pearl and back again. “I – I was just wondering, Lady Pearl, if you would like to dance this evening?” It was the first time he had asked a young lady to dance in some time, his confidence wavering as Lady Pearl’s eyebrows lifted gently, only for her to nod.
“Yes, Your Grace, of course.”
Relief swelled in Jonathan’s chest but he did not permit it to push into his expression. He kept his smile in place when Lady Pearl handed him her dance card, quickly signing his name to the country dance as though he feared she would change her mind.
“I thank you, Your Grace.”
Jonathan nodded and watched as Lady Pearl was led away by her mother, ready to speak to some other acquaintances. A long, slow breath escaped him as he looked to see Miss Jeffries smiling up at him.
“I thank you,” he murmured, tilting his head just a little. “You guidance and assistance has been of a great help to me.”
“I am glad.” She slipped her arm through his, her eyes gentle. “It may only be a little step forward but it is a good one all the same.”
“It is.” His heart lifted, the relief in him growing steadily. “Might I ask if you would like to dance also?”
This made her eyebrows lift in surprise, her smile slipping just a little.
“It is only a thought,” Jonathan continued, his heart pounding suddenly as he feared her response to him was one ofdisinclination. The thought had come to him out of nowhere but the desire within his heart to step out with Miss Jeffries to the dance floor was severe. “You need not accept. It is only that we have never danced before and I...”
“What a generous thought.” Miss Jeffries tugged her dance card from her wrist and handed it to him, her fingers brushing his gently. “Thank you, Your Grace. I should like to dance with you, of course. It will make society think all the better of you if you are to dance withtwoof us… in fact, why do we not find Lady Annette? She will dance with you also, I am sure, once I have told her that both myself and Lady Pearl are to stand up with you?”
Such was her eagerness, Jonathan could not refuse and found himself following after her once he had returned the dance card. There was no longer a tension within his frame, no longer so great a fear that all of society was looking at him with sharp glances.
And it was all thanks to Miss Jeffries and her kind consideration of him.
