Page 83 of A Duchess Mistaken
“Of course,” Agnes agreed with a smile.
“Would you like to accompany me to the refreshment table for some lemonade, Miss Caroline?” Christopher asked. He was already offering her his arm.
“I do not want to impose,” Caroline said tentatively.
“It would not be an imposition if I am the one suggesting it,” Christopher assured. “Besides, is that not what we should do as two people in love?”
Now it seemed as Caroline’s eyes were about to take over her face. She seemed too stunned for words, looking at Agnes for help. But Agnes didn’t know whether or not to laugh at what Christopher had said. So she stepped back and watched as Caroline gingerly took Christopher’s arm, saying nothing as he led her back into the ballroom. He bent slightly to say something to Caroline and Agnes caught the end of Caroline’s answering smile.
Agnes smiled at the sight. Maybe it had been a good idea to bring him along, after all.
The first set was about to commence and Johnathan couldn’t find Agnes anywhere. Of course, he’d noticed when she’d slipped away from the ballroom, likely to go in search of Miss Caroline. But then he’d been approached by several gentlemen he hadn’t spoken to in years—at least not since his father’s death—and didn’t notice when she came back in. After slipping away from the men, who seemed hellbent on talking his ear off for the foreseeable future, he headed out to the terrace and saw neither hide nor hair of Agnes.
“My lord, a word.”
Johnathan stilled. He’d just reentered the ballroom and was preparing to make his rounds through the ballroom to find his dance partner. But Lord Reeds seemed to have other plans.
He schooled his expression as best as he could before turning to face the earl. Clearly, judging by the slight sneer on the earl’s face, he didn’t care to do the same.
“What is it, Lord Reeds?” Johnathan responded in the most monotonous tone he could muster. It wasn’t difficult. The man he was not was not a far cry from the aloof gentleman he’d presented as before Agnes came into his life.
Lord Reeds glanced around him for a few seconds, then jerked his head towards the terrace doors Johnathan had just come through. “Perhaps it would be best for us to speak in private.”
Johnathan tried not to sigh. In truth, he’d expected this. On such a momentous occasion, Lord Reeds was certain to make every attempt to reestablish his control over the situation. Control he no longer had, control Johnathan had every intention of ensuring he did not regain.
But, for the sake of peace for as long as it could last, Johnathan nodded and turned towards the doors. In silence, they both delved onto the moonlit terrace and out into the gardens stretched out before them. They didn’t go very far before Lord Reeds stopped to face him.
“I assume you have decided to come to your senses,” Lord Reeds began.
The derision in his tone deepened Johnathan’s already rising annoyance. It took all the strength he had not to show it. Instead, he calmly nodded and said, “I have, my lord. Though I do not think we agree on what constitutes me coming to my senses.”
Lord Reeds’ expression darkened. “You know very well what I mean. Surely you have not put on this engagement party to announce that you will not be marrying my niece?”
“Oh, an engagement will be announced, for certain.”
“I care not for your brother and that smart-mouth woman?—”
“I do hope for your sake, my lord,” Johnathan stated in a cold tone, “that your next words will be complimentary ones.”
Ice coated his words. Even though Lord Reeds tried to maintain his irate expression, terror flashed in his eyes for a brief moment. He swallowed harshly, taking a step back.
“My wife thinks that you may be backing out of this engagement,” he started again.
“You know my stance on that matter, my lord, and it has not changed since our last conversation.”
“You cannot!” It was crossed between a hiss and a whine. Johnathan hadn’t realized just how desperate the earl was becoming until that moment. Desperate wasn’t good. Adesperate man like the earl would only utilize whatever was at his disposal to get what he wanted.
But Johnathan wasn’t going to let him cow him. “I can, my lord, and I shall. Nothing you say or do will change that.”
“You will regret it. I assure you that you will regret this!”
“I assure you, Lord Reeds, that there is nothing I want more than to do the very thing you are against. I will not regret a thing.”
There was nothing left to say. Lord Reeds would only continue his incessant threats that were quickly becoming empty. Johnathan would simply grow more and more frustrated with the conversation and he didn’t want to end up saying or doing something he shouldn’t. Walking away was the best bet. For now. Lord Reeds was sure to find him later. If not him, then the countess would make her presence known.
For now, the only thing he wanted to do was sweep Agnes into his arms and dance with her. Ever since he wrote his name on her dance card that was the only thing he could think of. And after he made his announcement, perhaps they could even dance more than once. Betrothed couples do not have to adhere to the strict guidelines of theton, after all, though that was only to an extent.
“Was there a problem, Your Grace?” asked Lord Sutton as he approached Johnathan the moment he entered the ballroom. “I saw that you stepped away to speak with Lord Reeds and I must say, you do not seem very happy.”
