Page 66 of Courting Scandal With The Duke
No one had looked at them askance when they had returned to Anderson’s party. The guests had been too busy gawping at what had to be the worst bronze sculpture he had ever seen in his life, and fawning over the artist who’d created it.
Of course they had entered the house separately. Not even Julian had commented when he’d joined him in viewing the sculpture.
The only person who had indicated that he might have noticed something was Barbara’s brother-in-law. There had been a slightly quizzical expression on the man’s face when their gazes had met shortly after he entered the ballroom. But perhaps he also had been puzzled by the statue.
‘There is a letter here from the Simons,’ Perry said. ‘It arrived yesterday.’
Xavier drew in a quick breath. Was Mrs Simon announcing her daughter’s return to London? And if so, how was he to answer? After Barbara’s revelation that the girl’s heart was engaged elsewhere, he certainly had no intention of continuing his suit.
Thank God, he hadn’t spoken of his intentions to anyone, even though people had guessed he was thinking of making her an offer. And if Mrs Simon had got her hopes up? That was not his fault.
He broke the seal on the missive.It was an apology. Because her daughter had gone behind her parents’ back and become engaged to the Stallton fellow.
It wasn’t difficult to see the mortification in the woman’s words. Or the disappointment.
Xavier, on the other hand, wanted to shoutHuzzah!
‘It seems Miss Simon will not be returning to town this Season,’ he said, and tossed the note onto Perry’s desk. ‘Please send a note of congratulations upon her daughter’s engagement.’
Perry was staring at him as if trying to understand his reaction. Perry of course knew that she was one of those he was looking at as a prospective bride.
‘It is fine,’ Xavier said. ‘Truly.’
Perry nodded. ‘Very well, Your Grace.’
It was fine. More than fine. Xavier felt as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Now he was free to pursue his interest in the Countess without one iota of guilt.
A dalliance.
Hopefully, he would get Barbara out of his system and be able to return to his normal, peaceful way of life.
And start looking for a bride once more.
That thought caused an odd sinking sensation in his stomach which he decided to ignore.
‘The Count of Lipsweiger and Upsal.’
Barbara looked up at the butler’s announcement and set her embroidery aside.
‘Charles.’ She held out her hand in greeting. ‘Howgood of you to call. Steadman, will you please send up the tea tray?’
The butler bowed and left.
Charles bowed over her hand. ‘You are looking beautiful, my dear,’ he said. ‘More radiant than ever. England agrees with you.’
There was something probing in his tone. It was more an enquiry than a statement.
But then Charles had always been one to care about her, when her husband hadn’t given a damn, so she could not fault him for that. Not that she was going to reveal her secrets to him. At least, not yet. Not until it was to her advantage.
‘Thank you. Yes, I am beginning to find my way I think.’ In more ways than one.
‘I understand you wished to speak with me in private. I had a message at my club, another at my lodgings and yet another from the Duke. What is it that is so urgent, and why not speak of it last night when we were at the Andersons’?’
‘It is no longer urgent,’ she said, surprised at his accusatory tone. ‘I wanted to advise you that Miss Simon had contracted the measles.’
He looked puzzled. ‘What is it, the measles?’
‘Oh. Hmm… I have forgotten the word for it in German, but it is when a child gets a great many spots along with a fever.’
