Page 10 of The Penitent Duke
“I should be glad to know your friend, I am sure.” This was said with another look cast towards Lady Eleanor and Rosalind felt her heart warm as her friend quickly made the introductions. To her mind, it certainly seemed that Lady Eleanor had been correct in her judgements about Lord Radcliffe.
“I am delighted to meet you, Lord Radcliffe,” Rosalind murmured, once the introductions were over. Sweeping into a bow, Lord Radcliffe expressed the very same then glanced towards his friend. It was only then that Rosalind noticed the gentleman had been looking in their direction, watching the interplay and that in itself made Rosalind feel a little uncomfortable.
“Might you be willing to come and join me for a moment?” Lord Radcliffe asked, though his friend scowled immediately, making it appear that he had no interest in coming to join him, though, much to Rosalind’s surprise, he did make his way towards them directly. “Your Grace, might I present my new acquaintance, Lady Rosalind, daughter of the Earl of Fairmont. And this is the lovely Lady Eleanor, who has only just introduced her friend to me. I thought that I might do the same and introduce you!”
“I see.” The gentleman – who Rosalind now knew to be a Duke – inclined his head but he did not bow properly. “Lady Rosalind. Lady Eleanor.”
After this, he clasped his hands behind his back and looked away, leaving Rosalind somewhat nonplussed. There was no intention of conversation, then, no desire to speak with either of them or to become even a little more acquainted with Lady Eleanor or herself. Her eyes closed tightly for a moment, a rush of heat and shame as she wondered if the Duke of Strathmore had heard about her brother and now had no desire to speak with her at all.
“The Duke, as you can see, is less than inclined towards such social events.” Lord Radcliffe shot his friend a look, one that surprised Rosalind given the amount of irritation that she saw in his expression. “This is his cousin’s engagement ball, did you know that?”
Rosalind tried to smile. “I am sure that this conversation will be a good deal easier if I am not present,” she said, making to step back. “I am truly sorry if my presence here has made you uncomfortable, Your Grace. That was not my intention. Do excuse me.”
“Whatever are you talking about?”
The low, gruff voice of the Duke stopped Rosalind in her intention to step away, as did the hand on her arm from Lady Eleanor, who was clearly determined to keep Rosalind where she was.
“My… my presence here,” Rosalind replied, stammering a little as the Duke’s sharp gaze narrowed. “I am sure that you are aware of what has been said of my family and thus, if it is that which keeps you from conversing, then I am more than contented to step away.”
The Duke frowned, a shadow flickering across his expression. “Lady Rosalind, I have no knowledge of what you speak. You may believe that my silence is because of your presence here but I can assure you, it is not.”
“No, certainly it is not,” Lord Radcliffe insisted, smiling gently at her. “I confess to knowing what it is that has taken place and I must say, I am sorry to hear that there are those in thetonwho would brand you with the same shame as has been put on your brother, for that is dreadfullyunfair! You will find good company here, however, Lady Rosalind. I shall not turn away from you and nor, I am sure, will the Duke of Strathmore.”
This warmth and understanding made Rosalind let out a long breath of relief though, at the very same time, tears began to burn in her eyes. She hastily blinked them away. “I am very grateful to hear you say such things,” she answered, seeing a look exchanged between the Duke of Strathmore and Lord Radcliffe, though she did not know what that look might mean. “It has been rather difficult.”
“I do not know what your brother has done. What is it?”
The harsh words from the Duke’s mouth startled Rosalind and she blinked in surprise, only to see Lord Radcliffe frown heavily, turning to the Duke. He murmured something but the Duke only shrugged and then returned his gaze to Rosalind, one eyebrow lifted in question.
“I hardly think that Lady Rosalind needs to discuss this, Your Grace.” Lady Eleanor, her voice a little higher pitched than usual, put her arm through Rosalind’s. “It has been most distressing and –”
“And yet, all the same, I desire to know. I must be careful as regards my standing in society.”
Rosalind closed her eyes, a breath shuddering out of her as the pain the Duke’s words brought ran cold over her skin. This, she realized, was precisely what she feared. The Duke of Strathmore, as ill-tempered as he appeared, might well step back from her once he learned the truth from her about her brother and that made Rosalind’s heart ache.
“I do not think that now is either the time to speak of such things or the place to do it.”
Rosalind opened her eyes, hearing Lord Radcliffe’s angered tones.
“I must apologise for my friend’s inconsideration, Lady Rosalind,” he continued, shooting an angry look towards the Duke of Strathmore before returning his gaze to Rosalind. “Now, might you wish to dance, Lady Rosalind, Lady Eleanor? I would be glad to stand up with both of you, I am sure.”
Seeing the kindness in his actions, Rosalind took the dance card from her wrist and handed it to the gentleman, now steadfastly avoiding the eye of the Duke of Strathmore. The gentleman was, she considered, the rudest, most inconsiderate gentleman she had ever had the opportunity to meet, for what sort of fellow would ask her such prying questions when they had only just become acquainted? A gentleman who thought nothing of anyone or anything else, save for his own standing and the like.
And I thought Lady Eleanor said that he was not at all inclined towards such things! Or, at least, gave the appearance that he was not interested in society and gossip.
“Might I ask you one more thing, Lady Rosalind?” A slight twist of the Duke’s lips made Rosalind wonder if he was trying to smile, though she was in no mood to tolerate anything more from him.
“If you must, Your Grace,” she replied, her voice wobbling a little though she lifted her chin in what she hoped appeared to be a defensive manner. “Though I must inform you that I may well refuse to answer, if it is as prying and as harsh as the last.”
The Duke’s lips untwisted, settling into a straight line. “Might I ask, Lady Rosalind, if you are seeking a match this Season?”
Rosalind took a step back, such was her astonishment and shock at hearing the question from his lips. She stared at the Duke, unable to take her eyes from him even if shehadwished to do so. What sort of fellow was he? The sort that seemed to think that asking such questions to a lady he had only just become acquainted with was quite proper, and correct? Or was it because of his standing as a Duke that he thought to speak to her with such impropriety?
“Your Grace, I hardly think that such a question is either proper or right for you to be asking!” Lady Eleanor exclaimed, giving Rosalind a gentle tug as though to take her away from the Duke and his questions. “Goodness, I must say that I am astonished to hear such a thing from you! It is not clear to you that Lady Rosalind is already in a little distress such as it is? And you, for whatever reason, wish to add to that distress?”
The Duke shrugged, his hands still clasped behind his back. “It was only a question, my lady. I did not mean any offence by it.”
Rosalind blinked and looked away from the man, finally able to tear her gaze from his. Her heart was thundering, her mind whirling with a thousand thoughts – none of which she was able to answer. Why was the Duke asking her such things? Why was he seemingly so intent on mortifying her with his questions?
