Page 15 of A Duchess Mistaken
Johnathan nodded and rounded the desk, making his way out of his study without a word.
As Mrs. Adams said, everyone was already waiting in the parlor. Johnathan’s eyes instantly fell on Miss Agnes, who was standing next to Miss Caroline by the hearth. She glanced at him upon his entrance and he could have sworn her eyes narrowed slightly.
Dear God, help him.
Johnathan let his eyes trail over her, not lingering as long as he was tempted to. They came to rest on Lord and Lady Sutton talking with Lord and Lady Reeds. His mother had already stated that she was not intending to dine with them, which meant Johnathan would have to lie to others that she was ill.
“I cannot say the same, my lord,” Lord Sutton was saying. He had his wife on his arm. Johnathan was beginning to realize they were rarely not touching each other in some manner. “I believe that Lady Umbridge’s mourning period was well within societal standards.”
“Bah!” Lord Reeds exclaimed. “Six months is hardly proper by society’s standard! And to think that she thought to attend Lord Headley’s ball and dance two dances with him as well. She should be ashamed of herself.”
“Lady Umbridge is only two-and-twenty, my lord,” Lady Sutton said gently. “One can hardly blame her for wanting to explore her options after her husband’s death. He was quite old when they married so this comes as no surprise to anyone.”
“A year at least,” Lady Reeds said in agreement with her husband, though Johnathan had to wonder if the sneer on her face was necessary. “And then she is free to attend as many balls as she wishes. Searching for a husband, though? In such a bold-faced fashion? The nerve!”
Lord Sutton sighed and shook his head before turning his attention to the silent Johnathan. “Forgive us, Your Grace. It is rather unbecoming of us to gossip like this.”
“Not at all, my lord,” Johnathan managed graciously. The whiskey was already taking root in the base of his skull. He found words came easier to his tongue. “Though it certainly would help if I were to know who you spoke of.”
“You do not know of Lady Umbridge?” Lady Reeds asked, aghast. “The Dowager Marchioness of Umbridge?”
Johnathan gave a regrettable shake of his head. “I’m afraid my duties take me far from any news of my fellow peers. I am woefully behind.”
“That is nothing to be concerned about, Your Grace,” Lady Sutton said with a gentle smile. “It is silly London gossip, after all. Nothing you needn’t worry about. Especially not someone who bears as much responsibilities as yourself.”
“Then perhaps you could get me up to speed during dinner. Shall we make our way to the dining room?”
“Of course. I am famished!”
It was easy to match Lady Sutton’s grin and he couldn’t help but wonder how much of that was due to the whiskey swimming in his head. He turned to the rest of the room, to everyone else who seemed occupied in their own tasks.
“Let us make our way to the dining room, everyone,” he announced.
They all got into action. And despite his best attempts, Johnathan could not stop his eyes from falling on Miss Agnes.
As if she sensed the weight of his gaze, she met his stare. She frowned slightly and then glanced at Miss Caroline. Then she leaned close to her friend to whisper something in her ear.
Miss Caroline’s eyes darted up to Johnathan’s after a moment and she flushed. Johnathan didn’t bother trying to understand what had just occurred.
Instead, he took the lead, fearing what he might do if he let himself fall to the back of the group. He made his way to the dining room with his guests at his heels and promptly marched over to his chair at the head of the table. He couldn’t stop himself from watching as Miss Agnes entered, her eyes scanning the room. When Miss Caroline entered behind her, he remembered himself.
Johnathan stood and pulled out the chair next to him, indicating without a word that he wanted Miss Caroline to sit beside him. She fluttered her eyes shyly at him as she murmured her gratitude and claimed the seat.
Christopher did the same for Miss Agnes. Johnathan struggled to find pride in his brother, ignoring the odd feeling he got watching Miss Agnes smile up at him.
There was a comfortable silence in the air as the first course was served. Johnathan racked his brain for something to say to Miss Caroline. During their walk, he’d let her take the lead in conversation, stoking it with a few questions of his own. He knew it made him seem attentive but he knew deep down it was partly because he could not think of a single thing to say to her.
The silence was broken before anything came to mind.
“Has anyone been to the London races lately?” Christopher asked and Johnathan nearly sighed. When his brother started talking about horse racing, it was hard getting him to stop.
“I have not had the chance to attend in a while,” Lord Sutton admitted amicably. “Have you been able to take part?”
“Oh, I most certainly have! Though it has been some time. I fear racing for competition severely cuts in the extra time I have to partake in my other interests. But I do enjoy watching the sport in my free time as well.”
“I have never been able to attend,” Mr. Parsons spoke up with a slightly sullen look. “It is my wish to do, but Father thinks it is not proper for me to do so.”
“No, Father only thinks you should pay more attention to your studies than you currently do,” Miss Agnes corrected without looking up from her soup.
