Page 20 of The Duke's Reluctant Muse
“Do you wish for any advice?”
Jonathan looked down to see Miss Jeffries smiling up at him, her eyes twinkling. “Advice?”
She nodded. “About this evening. I can see that you are already a little tense. Is it because there are so many guests?”
A scowl made to pull at his expression, something in him rebelling against how well she had been able to read him. “I...” It took him another moment to speak truthfully. “I have always been a little unsure and uncertain around society ever since I returned. In truth, I drew back from thebeau mondebefore your brother arrived in London, merely because I felt under such a strain.”
“Might I ask what it is that makes you so?”
Jonathan frowned. He had not, as yet, told her the truth about his sister and all that had taken place and did not yet think that he wanted to do so.
“You do not have to tell me all.” Miss Jeffries’ smiled but flushed. “I have heard some of the rumours, as you know, but if you would ever like to tell me the truth, you can trust me. However, for the meantime, might I suggest something?”
A little relieved, Jonathan nodded. “Of course.” He thought back to the letter he had received from Lord Dennington, which had offered him a little advice already – advice which he was grateful for. He could not be hasty in his pursuit of any young lady, could not simply decide that one young lady appeared to be of interest and thus, go after her and her alone. The first thing, Lord Dennington had suggested, was to improve himself upon society as a whole, to hold back a little from any such pursuits of young ladies and to make himself seem as amiable as he could. Though quite how he was to do such a thing, Jonathan was notyet certain. Mayhap Miss Jeffries would be able to enlighten him.
Miss Jeffries licked her lips, then looked up at him. “Might I suggest that you attempt not to appear so very… displeased with it all?”
“I beg your pardon?”
Miss Jeffries winced, her face growing pinker by the second. “I do not mean to overstep but you do not appear to be in the least bit pleased to be here. You stand very tall, your shoulders back and a look of such displeasure on your face, it seems as though you are greatly unhappy to be amongst society.”
Jonathan blinked, trying to take the frown from his expression but finding it very difficult indeed. “I see.”
“I will not say that it is fair for society to think poorly of you in the way that they do, nor that the rumours and whispers are right but if you wish for society to think a little better of you, then you may have to appear a little more jovial. Is that something you think you might be able to do?”
“I… ” Jonathan rubbed one hand over his chin, feeling a little embarrassed that she had been able to point out something so obvious and yet something that had been entirely unapparent to him. “I can try, I suppose.”
“Good.” She put one hand on his arm for just a moment, sending a flash of heat racing up towards Jonathan’s heart. “I did not mean to upset you, truly.”
His expression softened. “You did not.”
She looked back up at him for another moment, her smile lingering, her gaze soft, only for another voice to interrupt the moment.
“Good evening, Miss Jeffries.”
Jonathan stayed where he was as Miss Jeffries moved towards an older lady and a younger, who he presumed were mother and daughter. He was still pondering what Miss Jeffrieshad remarked, which left him feeling somewhat perplexed, acutely aware that a deep frown lingered upon his face still. He had a responsibility to Miss Jeffries, of course, but that did not mean that he had to involve himself in all of her conversations.
After the previous day – first, a trip to Hyde Park for the fashionable hour and then a soiree in the evening – Lord Dennington had chosen to reside home and had asked Jonathan to chaperone Miss Jeffries at Lord Stafford’s ball. Their entry to the ballroom had been a good deal better than their entry to the soiree almost a fortnight before, for he had been able to converse with her, smile and laugh and felt himself quite contented in her presence and thus, stepping into the ballroom itself had also been a good deal better.
Now, however, he was presented with a somewhat difficult situation. At the prior occasions he had attended with Miss Jeffries, she had stuck very close to Lady Annette rather than seeking out new acquaintances, though he had also seen her in deep conversation with Lord Dalton. If there had been conversation with other guests, he had either already been acquainted with them or had stood back to let Lady Annette not only make the introductions but also lead the conversation thereafter so that he did not need to be a part of it. Now, however, she was being greeted by acquaintances that Jonathan did not know and there was no Lady Annette around to continue the conversation thereafter. But given all that Miss Jeffries had said to him, could he truly bring a little improvement to society’s view of him simply by altering his expression?
Miss Jeffries turned her head and smiled at him, her brown eyes warm and welcoming. “Your Grace, might I be permitted to introduce you?”
The choice made for him, Jonathan had no choice but to nod and move forward, catching the look that was shared between the two as yet unintroduced ladies. Clearly, they knewsomething of him already though neither of them were saying anything.
“Lady Winsford, Lady Pearl, might I introduce His Grace, the Duke of Nottingham?”
Jonathan held himself as tall as he could as the two ladies looked at him directly, their gazes questioning.
“And Your Grace, might I introduce the Countess of Winsford and her daughter, Lady Pearl?”
“A pleasure to be introduced to you both.” Bowing low, Jonathan lifted his head but kept his chin high, only to see Miss Jeffries frowning. Uncertain as to why that might be, he gave her a longer glance, only to see her widen her eyes and then incline her head just a little towards the two ladies.
Jonathan did not understand what she meant. It was only when he turned his gaze back to Lady Winsford and her daughter that he saw them both frowning, with Lady Pearl looking away without any sort of interest in her eyes.
Then, he realized. He was standing too tall, appearing to be perhaps either overly proud or unapproachable, just as Miss Jeffries had said. Dropping his shoulders, he forced a smile and instantly saw the way Lady Pearl looked back at him again.
“I have been long acquainted with Lord Dennington,” he said, not quite certain what else to say. “He has tasked me to chaperone Miss Jeffries on the occasions he is unable to attend.”
