Page 21 of The Spinster's Stolen Hear
“I am Lady Randall,” the older woman responded tartly. “Why are you standing here by yourself, Lord Whitmore? It’s rather singular.”
Now, thatwasparticularly rude. Nathan felt a flare of annoyance at the woman’s tone. The nameRandalldid not spark any memories, but no doubt he could find out easily enough. He was willing to bet that they were not rich and well-known enough o be anywhere near as haughty as this woman.
“Your daughter mentioned that you have just come from the country,” he found himself saying. “I suggested that she should not go out onto the terrace by herself. It is generally thought to be improper.”
Colour spread over Lady Randall’s face, and her jaw tightened.
“Yes, indeed, I recall that,” she muttered. “I have been in London myself, you know. I had a Season, like everybody else.”
“Mama…” Pippa said, her voice a touch pleading.
“Do excuse us, Lord Whitmore,” Lady Randall said, pasting an insincere smile on her face. “Somebody is waiting to meet my daughter and myself. It was a pleasure to meet you.”
He didn’t particularly believe that. Nathan said nothing, only making a neat bow. He watched them scurry away, with Lady Randall gripping her daughter’s arm a little too tightly. At that moment, a pause in the music and a lull in conversation allowed him to hear a few snippets of their conversation.
“What are youthinking, telling our business to strangers like that?” Lady Randall hissed. “Mind your tongue in future, my girl. I won’t’ tell you again. Nobody forgets anything in Society, and once you’ve said a word, you can’t take it back.”
Pippa sighed mournfully. “I never did get any fresh air, Mama.”
“Oh, let us not dwell on that now. We have tasks to attend to before we take our supper. Now, put on a pleasant smile and think about some interesting things to say.”
Nathan watched them disappear into the crowd.
Why do I feel unsettled all of a sudden?
What has changed?
***
“Nathan! There you are! Kat told me you’d be here, but I wasn’t sure if you’d try to withdraw.”
Nathan paused, in the process of swigging back another glass of champagne.
“Henry,” he said, grinning. “It’s a pleasure to see you.”
Lord Henry Willenshire had been a friend to Nathan for many years. When the Whitmores’ fortunes dropped, the old duke – Henry’s father – had forbidden him from seeing Nathan. He had been quite open about it, too, writing to Nathan to inform him that his friendship with his sons was at an end, and he should not contact them again.
Henry, never one to quietly submit, had done his best to see Nathan now and then, and their friendship had thrived. Nathan knew, more than many people, how cruel and spiteful the old duke had been. It was a sad thing to admit, but the Willenshire children were much happier now that their father was gone.
Henry clapped Nathan on the shoulder. “I believe Eleanor wanted to speak to you before the night was out, some business matter or another. Did you see how well our new tea set designs have sold? I cannot take a scrap of credit for their design – it was all her. My wife is a business genius, I think.”
Nathan smiled. “I’m happy for you, Henry.”
Everybody in Society knew that Henry and his wife, Eleanor, were perfectly matched. They were both outspoken, fiercely intelligent, with a hunger for challenges and a knack for business matters. At their wedding, Nathan remembered feeling a sudden, unforeseen pang of jealousy. Why was it so hard for him to meet somebody who suited him so well? Eleanor and Henry seemed to be made for each other.
Stop it,he told himself.Marriage is a tricky business and you ought to approach it like a business merger,nota romance novel.
Henry paused, squinting at his friend. “You seem a little off tonight. Is everything all right?”
“Me? Oh, fine, fine. I just…” Nathan sighed, raking a hand through his hair. “Mother wants me to marry, and insists upon me attending the Season. Really, I could do without all the parties and outings. I have so much work to do.”
Henry nodded slowly, pursing his lips. “You have a decent steward, though, don’t you? And your man at the bank? In fact, you have quite a few reliable clerks and whatnot who could take some of the work off your shoulders.”
Nathan shook his head. “No, I feel better doing it all myself. You can’t be too careful, after all.”
“Indeed,” Henry agreed. “But youdotrust them, don’t you?”
He paused. “Well, yes, but that’s not the point, is it? I don’t like to delegate.”
