Page 25 of An Unwanted Widow for the Duke
“That gentleman over there,” Gerard replied, nodding subtly toward Grisham. “We met him at White’s, did we not?”
“I do recall him. The new Marquess of Grisham, yes?”
Gerard merely inclined his head.
The two men crossed the room, closing the distance.
As they approached, Grisham turned and spotted them.
“Ah, Your Grace!” he greeted, bowing respectfully. “A pleasure to see you again. I did not notice you earlier.”
“Likewise, Lord Grisham,” Gerard said, offering a polite nod. “It is good to see you here. I trust you have enjoyed yourself?”
“Yes. The quartet performed quite well. I am considering engaging them for my own entertainment, should the occasion demand it,” Grisham replied smoothly.
Gerard tilted his head, studying the younger man. He did not carry the arrogance often found in a young lord, but a quiet confidence that was almost refreshing.
“Well, Lord Grisham,” Gerard continued, “you remember the Earl of Berkhead, I presume?”
“I do. A pleasure, Lord Berkhead,” Grisham offered.
“Likewise, Lord Grisham,” Samuel returned with a sly grin. “It is always a pleasure to rekindle acquaintances one has not had the pleasure of properly addressing before. Which is precisely why I insisted my companion here make an appearance sooner. Though, as you can see, we are fashionably late.”
“You know the reasons for my delay,” Gerard said, his voice sharpening slightly, aware of the eyes already judging his mood.
Perhaps people saw him as stern—or worse, morose—and he cared little to reinforce that.
Grisham turned to his little circle, introducing them as business associates, though Gerard paid them little mind. His attentionwas drawn elsewhere: to Lady Slyham and the way Lord Alcott, one of Grisham’s associates, seemed intent on winning her favor.
“May I also present my stepmother, Lady Grisham, and my sisters, the Dowager Countess of Slyham, Lady Victoria, and Lady Daphne. Ladies, it is my honor to introduce the Duke of Talleystone and the Earl of Berkhead,” Grisham announced.
So Grisham is her brother.
A bewildering wave of relief washed over Gerard.
He studied Lady Grisham, the eldest of the women standing beside the young Marquess. She was likely in her mid-forties. Her dark blonde hair was threaded with gray, and her eyes were a piercing, icy blue.
He noted that all three younger women—Lady Slyham, Daphne, and Victoria—bore a resemblance, though their features were softer, more inviting. The twins, Daphne and Victoria, were unmistakably Lady Grisham’s daughters in both look and manner, while Lady Slyham’s darker hair marked her apart, lending her a subtly different, more mysterious air.
If Lady Grisham is the Marquess’s stepmother, and these young ladies look like her, then they’re his half-sisters.
“Pleasure meeting you, ladies,” he greeted, giving them a small bow, his eyes returning to Lady Slyham.
They all curtsied in turn, and Samuel offered a polite bow of his own, though Gerard scarcely noticed. His attention was solely focused on the elusive widow who had so unexpectedly earned his son’s admiration.
Lady Grisham stepped forward with a formal curtsy, her smile careful. “What an honor to meet you, Your Grace. And you, Lord Berkhead. I hear that you rarely make an appearance at such gatherings, Your Grace?”
“In truth, I am seldom compelled to attend, Lady Grisham,” Gerard responded.
Lady Grisham laughed, a tinkling, practiced sound that carried an unmistakable determination. “Perhaps you simply need the right events, ones more suited to your tastes. If this musicale drew you in, then I trust you have an appreciation for music. My daughter Daphne is particularly fond of music and art; you may find some common ground.”
Lady Daphne suddenly found the floor utterly fascinating. Lady Victoria rolled her eyes, making it plain that neither had much interest in whatever schemes their mother was weaving.
“Indeed,” Gerard uttered, giving the twins a cursory glance.
He could only hope that he had identified them correctly after such a brief introduction.
“Your Grace,” Lady Slyham interjected, her eyes narrowing momentarily at Lady Grisham before softening as they landed on him. “What are your thoughts on Herr Wilberg’s latest compositions? I had the one with that intriguing violin solo near the conclusion in mind. Have you had the opportunity to hear it?”
