Page 31 of An Unwanted Widow for the Duke
“Perfectly done, lass,” Alasdair muttered under his breath.
“They’re harmless,” Wilhelmina whispered. “Nothing they say carries any weight. They’re implying I’m on some hunt for a husband. Don’t let them rattle you.”
The sisters finally recovered from the shock of having two self-important women try to disrupt their evening. They reached their private box when another voice cut through the murmurs.
“Aha! There you are!”
It was Daniel, striding toward them with tousled hair that suggested he’d given up caring about appearances in a room full of pomaded heads. He moved with an ease Wilhelmina had always admired, though she suspected there was more to his nonchalance than he let on.
“Good evening, Brother.” Elizabeth beamed at him. “Where are the girls?”
“They’re home,” he replied. “Lady Grisham claimed a headache, so they were mercifully able to skip one event.”
“A headache?” Elizabeth echoed, genuinely surprised.
“I was equally shocked,” Daniel admitted, lowering himself into a chair. “Perhaps she truly is unwell. Or perhaps she thought the theater offered insufficient social opportunities.”
“Hmm. Either way, you deserve to enjoy a little bit of freedom,” Wilhelmina said with a small smile.
Daniel’s eyes darkened for the briefest instant, a shadow passing over his face. “Freedom,” he murmured, almost to himself. “A rare treasure in our family. One comes to value it most when it has been so scarce.” Then, with a shake of his head, he leaned back, forcing a grin. “Anyway, you look well. Managed to survive the musicale?”
“Barely,” Wilhelmina replied, the thought of her mother and the Duke of Talleystone crossing her mind.
“Tonight, at least, you’re free from any matchmaking schemes,” Daniel pointed out.
“Ah, that’s true,” she murmured, feeling herself relax for the first time that evening.
As the group settled into their seats, preparing for the performance, Wilhelmina couldn’t resist glancing back, curiosity winning over despite the comfort of familiar company.
The Duke of Talleystone. He was there.
For a man known to disdain social gatherings, he had certainly attended more than one of late, even before their appointed meeting at the Hawthorne ball.
He stood tall among a cluster of lords, an unexpected sight. Perhaps they were business associates, much like Daniel’s companions.
Even from a distance, Wilhelmina noticed the tension in his broad shoulders. He was present, but that didn’t mean he wanted to be.
Lord Berkhead, who was standing beside him, did the talking, gesturing with his hands animatedly.
For a fleeting moment, the Duke seemed composed, almost resigned, before turning as if to finally survey the stage.
Their eyes met.
They had met before, but the movement was sudden, and it sent a jolt through Wilhelmina.
He did not look away. He did not soften his gaze. That was not his way. Recognition and something else, something sharper, flickered behind those dark eyes.
Wilhelmina’s pulse quickened. Of course, it did. Lady Grisham’s whispered warnings, Lady Farnmont’s meddling friends—it all came rushing back.
“Excuse me,” she murmured to her family, her voice steady despite her racing heart. “I must powder my nose. I’ll return shortly.”
“Do you need company?” Elizabeth asked, looking a little concerned.
“I will be all right, Lizzie. Those ladies have already settled into their box. I won’t be long,” Wilhelmina assured.
As she walked toward the powder room, a quiet descended upon her. Then, she heard deliberate footfalls following her.
Gerard made his excuses as soon as he saw Lady Slyham slipping away. Her footsteps were quick and purposeful, but his strides were longer. Soon, he caught up with her.
