Page 24 of The Duke's Reluctant Muse
Pulled from his thoughts, Jonathan turned to see Lord Dennington grinning broadly at him. “Dennington! How excellent to see you.” Coming closer, he took a glass of brandy from the tray of a footman, just as Lord Dennington did the same. “You are well enough to step out, then?”
Lord Dennington nodded. “The truth is, my friend, I have not been unwell this last sennight.”
“No?” A trifle surprised, Jonathan’s stomach knotted quickly. Could it be that Lord Dennington had asked Jonathan to chaperone Miss Jeffries for reasons of his own? And if he had done so, then what might those reasons have been?
There came a slight pause as Lord Dennington took a sip of his brandy. “No.” He smacked his lips together. “The truth is, my friend, I have been quite caught up with my thoughts. They made my mind very clouded and a little heavy and thus, with theweight of them sitting upon me, I chose to step back from society until I could find a little more clarity.”
“And did you?”
With a smile, Lord Dennington gestured ahead of him. “Indeed, I did, thanks to my sister. Her advice was quite excellent and pulled me out of my dark thoughts.”
Jonathan turned his eyes to where Lord Dennington had pointed, his heart lurching unexpectedly at the sight of Miss Jeffries. She was not wearing a pale colored gown as he might have expected from a young lady stepping out into society, but rather a deep green gown which, Jonathan noted, sat quite perfectly upon her. Her eyes alighted once she saw him, her lips curving instantly – and most confusingly – Jonathan’s heart slammed hard in his chest.
“I was just speaking of you, my dear.” Lord Dennington smiled warmly at his sister. “I was telling the Duke of your excellent advice as regarded my present thoughts on certain particular matters.”
“I see.” Miss Jeffries glanced away from Jonathan to her brother and then back again. “I do hope he had not been speaking nonsense, Your Grace. I am quite sure that, in time, he would have come to the very same conclusions as I.”
Given that he was not entirely sure as to what was being said, Jonathan could only shrug.
“You must ignore him,” she continued, as Lord Dennington chuckled. “Though I am glad that he is back in society again.”
“As am I.” Jonathan nodded his agreement. “You do appear to be a good deal more robust than when you first arrived, my friend.”
Lord Dennington took another sip of his brandy. “I am, I think. I certainly feel a good deal better and have not had fatigue nor an ache in my head in some time.” He threw a look to Jonathan, the smile back on his face. “In fact, I have felt so veryimproved that I have been dancing this evening for what is the first time in a very long time!”
“And are you to dance the waltz?” Miss Jeffries tilted her head just a little towards her brother. “I did wonder if ...”
“Yes, I am.” Her brother cut Miss Jeffries off, though Miss Jeffries instantly giggled, making Jonathan wonder what it was that had passed between the two of them – something he clearly did not understand. “And you?”
Miss Jeffries shook her head. “I have not had anyone ask me but I do not mind, truly. It is quite all right.”
“I – I could dance with you?”
The suggestion was out of Jonathan’s mouth before he had opportunity even tothinkabout what he was saying. He found himself staring at the lady, seeing how her own eyebrows lifted, how her eyes rounded slightly… and then for the edges of her mouth to begin to lift.
“How very kind of you, Your Grace. But you do not need to, not if you have no real desire to dance.”
Jonathan cleared his throat gruffly, a slight tremor running through him. “Miss Jeffries, it is not in the least bit that I have no desire to dance. I have almost danced every dance this evening but as yet, I have no-one to step out with for the waltz. I would very much like to dance it with you, given that it is the supper dance also and I am sure you would prefer to talk with someone other than your brother?” He made the last few words lighthearted and jovial, managing to smile as Lord Dennington let out a bark of laughter, all the while struggling with the sense of true desire which had shot straight through him.
Hedidwant to dance with Miss Jeffries. They had already stepped out once before but it had not been for something as significant as the waltz! The supper thereafter would mean that they could sit together, that they could speak at length and be near to one another for a prolonged time… and for whateverreason – a reason that Jonathan could not yet fully understand – he truly desired that.
“I suppose you are quite right, Your Grace.” Miss Jeffries grinned at her brother, her eyes bright. “I should prefer to sit with someoneotherthan Dennington. So yes, I shall accept your request to dance.”
“Excellent.” A warm glow enveloped him as he thought about holding Miss Jeffries close, thought of leading to sit and dine with him.
And then, he saw Lord Dennington frowning at him.
Cold washed over his skin. “Is something amiss?”
“I was just thinking about your most recent letter,” Lord Dennington replied, as Miss Jeffries’ attention was caught by none other than Lady Annette, making Jonathan wonder ifshewas the one to be dancing with Lord Dennington. “You said that your interest had already been piqued by one or two ladies, mayhap?” He leaned closer as Lady Annette and Miss Jeffries giggled together at something Lady Annette had said. “Might I ask if there is anyone in particular that you have taken note of?”
“A few.” Jonathan shrugged his shoulders, trying to ignore the nervous stirring within him as he fought to keep his gaze away from Miss Jeffries. This new sensation of desire for her company was a little overwhelming, and he certainly had no intention of expressing something he did not even fully understand to Lord Dennington! “I have just finished dancing with Miss Glendale and thought her quite delightful, though Lord Dalton also appears to think so given that he came to dance with her next!” He chuckled at this, relieved when his friend grinned and did not ask him any further questions.
“The waltz!”
Lady Annette was the one who exclaimed first, looking to Lord Dennington with sparkling eyes. “It has just now been announced.”
“Then we shall be the first to step out,” Lord Dennington answered, stepping forward and offering the lady his arm. “Come, Lady Annette.” He gave Jonathan a nod and then turned to his sister. “I hope you enjoy the dance and the supper, Elizabeth.”
