Page 6 of The Duke's Reluctant Muse
She lifted her gaze to her brother, seeing him grin at her with a twinkle stubbornly sparkling in his eye. “Yes?”
“I have had an excellent idea.” With a broad grin sweeping across his face, the smile taking some of the paleness from his face, he swept out one hand towards her. “I have thought thatyoumight offer yourself as a conversation partner to the Duke of Nottingham.”
Elizabeth’s instinct was to shake her head, to refuse the very idea that she herself had only just thought of, only to realize that, if she truly did wish to be of assistance to the Duke, then she would have to do something more than just respond to another letter. “You forget, however, that we are not yetinsociety,” she said, the idea swirling through her and making her stomach twist with a sharp anxiety. “We have not yet made firm plans to go to London.”
“Then we shall make them quite firm and determined.” Her brother shrugged. “I have recovered a good deal and –”
“You are still very fatigued,” she interrupted, her concern growing. “The journey to London is not an easy one and the ache in your head might return if we are travelling! I cannot have you involved in this matter unless you are quite certain that you are well enough to do so.”
Lord Dennington smiled, leaning his head back against the chair. “I shall not pretend that I am at my full strength, Elizabeth,” he said, quietly, “but I do not want to sit in this house for another sennight without seeing anyone else other than my butler and my valet!” He chuckled, seeing her lifted brows. “That is not to say that you are not with excellent company, my dear, but there comes a time when –”
“I understand,” Elizabeth interrupted, not wanting a long and expressive explanation from her brother. “If you trulybelieve that you are recovered enough, then of course, we could go to London but I cannot permit you to re-enter society so recklessly.”
Lord Dennington’s eyebrows lifted. “If we do make our way to London, then I give you every assurance I shall do no such thing. Instead, I will remain at home and rest as much as is required and only attend things like afternoon tea.”
“But you do not like tea!”
With a shout of laughter, Lord Dennington sat up a little straighter. “My dear sister, what I mean to say is that I shall rest when it is required and only attend occasions I feel able to enjoy without growing weary.” His eyes brightened. “Would you consent if I suggested thatyoube the one to choose which one we should attend? That way, I will be contented and you will be able to meet the Duke of Nottingham also!”
Elizabeth frowned, not quite certain of her brother’s intentions. “But how can I be sure which gathering the Duke of Nottingham will also be attending?”
He shrugged. “Pray, why do you not inquire of him which invitation he has received for the fortnight hence?” he suggested, as Elizabeth’s frown grew, wondering just how many invitations her brother would find waiting for him once he arrived in London and just how many notes of either acceptance or gentle refusal she would have to write. “I am sure that, very soon, you will be able to meet the Duke of Nottingham in person – and then you need not fret so much over your replies. You will be able to see his manner for yourself!”
With a slight smile on her face, Elizabeth came towards her brother, her eyes slightly narrowed and one finger pointing toward him. “I do hope you are aware that once we arrive in London, you will require me to write to each and every person who has sent you an invitation to any sort of event,” she said, softly, “and I shall accept only those where the Duke ofNottingham will be presentandwhere you yourself also feel able to join other guests.” Her hand dropped to her lap. “And that is onlyafterI have written to the Duke himself to ask which occasions he will be attending within the next fortnight!”
Lord Dennington chuckled, although he rested his head back against the chair, his eyes sliding closed. “Precisely that. It is just as well that you have an excellent hand.”
“And that I am so generous with my time,” Elizabeth laughed, rising and, coming closer to put her hand on his shoulder. “But, given that it is for your sake and for the Duke of Nottingham’s sake, I shall do so.”
“Thank you, Elizabeth,” her brother replied, his voice quieter now as sleep began to overtake him. “I look forward to stepping out into society once more.”
And I look forward to stepping into London society for the first time,Elizabeth thought to herself, although she had to admit there was a little nervousness beginning to creep up inside her. She had never been in London society before and, given that it would be the height of the summer Season, she knew there would be a good many gentlemen and ladies present still. She would be noticed by them, scrutinized and, should she make a single mistake, spoken of by theton. Given that the Duke of Nottingham was struggling within thetonhimself – and he a Duke – Elizabeth was all too aware that she might easily stumble into difficulty herself, were she not careful.
“But Ishallbe careful,” she said to herself, making her way through the house and shivering slightly at the colder air that wrapped her through the hallways. “And I am to meet the Duke himself!” A slight warmth was rising in her as she thought of that moment, her curiosity over his appearance and demeanor settling within her. So long as her brother was cautious in his interactions – and so long as the Duke did not discover that itwas she who wrote to him – then Elizabeth was certain all would be well.
Chapter Four
Two weeks later
Jonathan grimaced. The music did nothing to lift his spirits, the smiling ladies that surrounded him making him scowl all the more. He felt nothing but confusion and uncertainty, finding that the mediocre self-esteem he had once had now crumbled to nothing in the face of theton. It was as though he could see every single eye watching him, as though he could hear their whispers as they spoke of him.
It is just as well thatsheis not present.
The scowl on his face darkened, recalling how he had made certain thatshewould not be in London at the same time as his return. The past rose up to remind him of what he had endured, of what he had been forced to confront.
And of what he had given up.
Not everyone is looking at me,he reminded himself, ambling slowly along the side of the ballroom rather than stepping out into the center. All of the young ladies, those as yet unattached, would be doing nothing other than seeing which eligible gentlemen were present this evening. No doubt they would all look at him at some point, their gazes roving over him – and then they would turn away, perhaps having heard of his dark character and absence from society, or of his foolishness in chasing one lady after the next, each of whom decided that they did not want to be his next consideration. One way or the other, he had certainly set most of society against him.
“Good evening, Your Grace.”
Forcing a smile to his lips that he did not really want to express, Jonathan turned, ready to greet whoever had spoken to him, only for his shoulders to drop at the sight of his friend.“Good evening, Dalton. I have not seen you in some time, though that is solely my doing.” He shrugged and looked away. “I have not been out in society very frequently of late.”
His friend studied him, his eyes sharp. “I understand. You are not in a good frame again this evening also,” he stated, making Jonathan all too aware of the grimace that still played about his mouth. “I hope I did not upset you too greatly at our last conversation.”
“No, no, you did not,” Jonathan replied, heaving a sigh. “I am sorry for how I responded to some of what you said. My thoughts have been very heavy of late.”
Thankfully, Lord Dalton smiled rather than choosing to give Jonathan a long and detailed explanation as to the injury he might have caused him by behaving in a less than typical manner. “I mayhap spoke a little harshly and frankly at times,” he answered, as Jonathan shook his head. “My thought was truly only to help you but I may well have been a little too blunt in how I went about it all.” He lifted one shoulder in a half shrug, his smile turning rueful. “It might be best for us not to speak on the matter again.”
