Page 39 of The Duke's Reluctant Muse
“I knew those rumours must be quite wrong,” said another. “It was Lady Ludlow who told me, you know, and when I heard it from her lips, I was quite certain that she was either lying or confused. I will say it was the latter though I secretly believe that it was the former!” The lady giggled, one hand going to her mouth as Elizabeth, her breathing now quick and a little ragged, tried to make sense of all that was being said.
“It is all quite wonderful,” said another, as Lady Annette put one arm through Elizabeth’s, standing staunchly by her side. “I am sure you will be very happy indeed.”
“Of course she shall.” Mercifully, Lord Dennington came to rescue her, taking Elizabeth’s other arm and turning on his heel, leading her away. “If you would excuse me, ladies, I must take my sister for a short turn about the room so that many otherscan offer their congratulations. It is a momentous occasion, as I am sure you can all understand!”
“Of course, of course!” said a third, as Elizabeth was led away by her brother, feeling her legs shaking and her stomach twisting hard. “A wonderful match indeed!”
“What are they talking about?” she managed to say, as Lord Dennington led her out of the ballroom, Lady Annette still on her other side. “I do not understand.”
Lord Dennington grimaced, his jaw tight. “I cannot answer you fully, not until we find the Duke of Nottingham,” he said, darkly. “Either another rumour has been spread – a rather difficult one at that – or the Duke has decided that you are now betrothed. Either way, we must discover the truth – and quickly, before any more can be said.”
Feeling a little dizzy now, Elizabeth let herself be seated in a quiet parlor which had been set aside for those wishing a little respite from the noise of the ball. Lady Annette promised to sit with her as Lord Dennington went in search of the Duke – though Elizabeth could barely breathe, such was her astonishment.
Betrothed? Betrothed to the Duke of Nottingham? She lowered her head into her hands, feeling an ache beginning to form between her eyebrows. Everything had been difficult enough but now, in the space of only a few minutes, everything appeared to have become ten times worse.
Chapter Twenty
Jonathan stepped into the ballroom, his brow heavy. This was not a place he wanted to be but he had no choice but to attend, given that this was where Miss Jeffries was. He had come to call too late, having been caught up with a sudden, desperate urge to see her, only to be informed that she and her brother were now attending Lord Allington’s ball.
I was foolish to stay back from her for so long.
Sighing, he stepped a little further into the room, aware that whenever he caught someone’s eye, they quickly looked away from him. Surely it was not going to be as it had been before! He had done nothing to upset society, had he? Indeed, he had quit the soiree rather quickly and had returned home in order to think upon all that Miss Jeffries had told him but that had not been an insult to anyone.
I should have come back to her sooner than this.
The scowl on his face deepened though the moment one young lady’s eyes widened upon seeing it, Jonathan quickly fought to push it out of his expression. He did not need to give thetonany further whispers about him. From what he had been told from Miss Jeffries about Lady Ludlow, he feared she might have started whispering about him already.
Spying a familiar face, Jonathan quickly made his way towards Lord Dalton, picking up a glass of brandy as he went. Lord Dalton was frowning heavily, one hand rubbing at his chin as two other gentlemen spoke to him, their eyes darting this way and that. When one caught Jonathan’s approach, he quickly stood straight, nudged the other and, after a moment, left Lord Dalton’s side.
“Good evening.” Jonathan followed the movement of the two gentlemen with his eyes, seeing one of them glance over his shoulder towards them both. “Is something the matter?”
“Yes.” Lord Dalton’s frown lingered. “I have just been approached by Miss Glendale’s cousin, Lord Yardley. He has suggested that I stay back from you, so that nothing will go wrong in my courtship of Miss Glendale herself.”
“Stay back from me?” Surprise slammed into Jonathan’s chest. “Why should you do such a thing as that?”
“Because evidently, you are a gentleman without honour.” Lord Dalton quickly put one hand onto Jonathan’s shoulder for just a moment. “Of course, I have no intention of believing what is said, though it does trouble me that it is being said.”
Jonathan closed his eyes and heaved a sigh. “I think Lady Ludlow is behind this. She warned Miss Jeffries to stay away from me, else she would be caught up in some expecteddifficultiesthat were soon to follow after me – difficulties that I am sure she was to put into motion herself.” He looked back at his friend. “I presume these are the difficulties that she was talking about. Might I ask what has been said?”
Wincing, Lord Dalton looked away. “I fear then that Lady Ludlow has said this deliberately in order to involve Miss Jeffries.”
Jonathan’s heart slammed into his chest. “What do you mean?”
“Lord Yardley has told me that you, having been asked to step in as Miss Jeffries’ chaperone, had no intention of doing as you ought. Instead, you have been seeking out a connection with the lady – a connection that would suit your own desires rather than a genuine one, you understand.”
Ice formed around Jonathan’s chest as his friend looked back at him. “A dalliance?” he asked, a little hoarsely. “The rumour is that I have sought Miss Jeffries out for a dalliance?”
“Her name was not mentioned specifically but it is not difficult to understand who it is that is being spoken of, given that you were not chaperone to anyone else.”
Jonathan ran one hand over his eyes. “This is quite dreadful.”
“I know that Lady Ludlow spoke ill of you some years ago,” Lord Dalton continued, scowling, “so I am less than inclined to believe her now, especially given her character but there will be many that will do so.”
“And many in this room that will hear of it and believe it,” Jonathan muttered, half to himself. “And she is here this evening too.” He could not imagine how Miss Jeffries might react upon hearing what was being said of her, horrified that her connection to him would bring about such damage to her reputation – for that would be exactly what would happen. Those who heard the rumor would only spread it and soon, many of thetonwould look down upon Miss Jeffries, even though she had done nothing wrong. She might even be given the cut direct!
I cannot allow that to happen.
“What are you going to do?” As though he had heard Jonathan’s silent determination, Lord Dalton searched Jonathan’s face. “You must do something, surely.”
