Page 12 of The Duke's Reluctant Muse
Lady Annette’s eyebrows lifted. “Then who are you here with this evening?”
Glancing behind her, Elizabeth gestured briefly to the Duke of Nottingham. “The Duke of Nottingham is my chaperone this evening, for he is very close friends with my brother and has promised to take on charge of me. Though,” she continued, choosing to be as open with Lady Annette as she herself had been, “I think that His Grace and your brother might have a good deal in common when it comes to realising just how much of a responsibility they have towards us!”
Lady Annette laughed at this, her relief palpable. “Then I am glad I was bold enough to come and introduce myself to you,” she said, as Elizabeth smiled back at her. “I have heard of the Duke of Nottingham but I will not question you about him… not yet, at least!” With another laugh, she gestured to the painting. “Now tell me, do you truly delight in this sort of artwork?”
“Not in the least!” Elizabeth exclaimed, making Lady Annette laugh. “I was looking solely for the purpose of appearing busy, given that I have no-one to speak with.”
“Well, now you do.” Lady Annette pointed to the tray of drinks that a footman was holding. “Should you like to take a turn around the room?”
“Yes.” Feeling a good deal more settled and contented, Elizabeth walked alongside Lady Annette as they went to fetch a drink and then, without so much as a backwards glance towards the Duke, began to walk around the room with her new friend.
Chapter Six
Where is she?
Jonathan’s stomach lurched as he realized, much to his horror, that he had no knowledge as to where Miss Jeffries was. It had been something of a strange request from Lord Dennington as regarded his chaperonage of Miss Jeffries but he could understand why the request had been made. After all, the gentleman was clearly recovering from this lingering ailment and, at the same time, had a responsibility to his sister. Besides which, the trust that Lord Dennington had in him was not something that Jonathan wanted to ignore and thus, he had accepted the responsibility without being quite certain how the young lady herself would feel on the matter!
They had not taken the same carriage to Lord Templeton’s townhouse but had driven separately, meeting at the townhouse itself. Jonathan had given her a nod and greeted her with a ‘good evening’ but had not found himself eager to converse thereafter, surprised at the nervousness which ran through him.
And now, thanks to his focus upon his own feelings, he had seemingly lost the lady amongst the other guests! It was, Jonathan considered, not as bad as it might have been for if this had been a ball, then he would have struggled to find her anywhere but this was only a soiree! There were fewer guests – though a good many all the same – so she had to be easier to find.
And I shall remind her that she ought not to step away from me,Jonathan thought to himself, his jaw tightening as he made his way from the drawing room, wondering where the lady might have gone. Indeed, he had not given her a good deal of thought but that did not mean that she could do as she pleased! Had not her brother informed her of that particular requirement? Tellinghimself that it was the lady’s responsibility to stay near him in the hope of lessening the weight of guilt which quickly fell onto his shoulders, Jonathan marched through the hallway and into the music room, his eyes going from one face to the next.
“Your Grace, good evening! I must confess, I am a little surprised to see you here this evening. I was quite sure that you had retreated back to your estate!”
A shot of anger crashed through Jonathan’s heart as he inclined his head, forcing himself to speak calmly and slowly rather that fire harsh words back at the lady in question. “Good evening, Lady Matheson.” Lifting his head, he glanced at the other ladies beside her, choosing not to greet them. One proficient gossip was more than enough. “I thank you for your concern. As you might not have been aware, I was a little unwell recently, which is why I have not been present in society.” This was not entirely true, Jonathan knew, for he had been quite well in body though his mind had been troubled and heavy. It made for a good excuse all the same, however.
“Oh, I did not know such a thing, no.” Lady Matheson glanced to either friend before returning her attention to Jonathan. “That is troubling indeed. I do hope you are improved.”
“Indeed, I am. I thank you.”
“And are you still seeking a bride with as muchvehemenceas you were before?”
The seemingly innocent question – accompanied with slightly widened eyes and a delicate smile – was anything but that and Jonathan’s whole frame tightened furiously, his breathing growing a little quicker as he fought through the anger to find an answer that would not bring him either further mortification or lead to any more questions.
“Your Grace?” Lady Matheson’s eyebrow lifted gently. “Are you quite well?”
“Indeed.” Gritting his teeth for a moment, Jonathan drew in a long, steadying breath. “You have only reminded me of just how much difficulty I have had in finding asuitableyoung lady.”
Lady Matheson blinked, her smile falling away. “Suitable?”
“Oh indeed,” Jonathan continued, sensing a warning in his mind but ploughing on regardless. “It is a great pity that those I have considered have proven themselves all to belessthan suitable when it comes to what I am seeking. The lady I am to wed will become a Duchess and I must beextraordinarilycareful when it comes to whom I shall marry.” He sighed heavily, hoping that this performance might convince them that all was not as they believed when it came to his rejection by not one but three young ladies. “I shall continue my search once I have the strength to do so. I confess that I am, at present, quite disappointed.”
“Disappointed?” Another one of the ladies spoke up, though Jonathan did not even glance at her. Instead, he inclined his head and then looked again at Lady Matheson, whose face had gone a little pale, her eyes rounded.
“Thank you again for your concern, Lady Matheson. Good evening to you.”
Walking away, Jonathan let himself smile though inwardly, he questioned whether or not he had done the right thing in speaking as he had done. He had not wanted to add to the whispers about him and thus, had tried to portray what had happened to him in an entirely new light, making it appear as thoughhehad found the young ladies unsuitable, rather than the other way around.
“I heard that.”
Jonathan started as a hand touched his shoulder, making him turn around. “Oh, Dalton. Good evening.”
“That was rather short sighted.”
Rolling his eyes, Jonathan let out a breath of frustration. “My friend, I am already troubled enough. I spoke as I did because I thought it the best course to take.”
“By shaming the three ladies that you pursued?” Lord Dalton shook his head. “My friend, Lady Matheson will now go to the young ladies in question and tell them about what you said and they shall either be angered or deeply offended!”
