Page 55 of Fit for a Duke
‘You don’t look exhausted.’ Adele subjected Clio’s face to exacting scrutiny. Botheration! Her eyes were probably glowing and her cheeks flushed, giving entirely the opposite impression to fatigue. ‘Needless to say, everyone is talking about you.’
Clio rolled her eyes. ‘I dare say.’
‘Why did the duke dance with you? Not that there is any reason why he should not do so. In fact, he showed good judgement in singling you out. It’s just that…well, no one has noticed him paying you any particular attention before now, and naturally they are all intrigued. I confess I am scarcely less so myself, but you disappeared before I could ask you about it. The duke did as well, as a matter of fact.’
‘Did he?’ Clio shrugged, convinced that Adele, who knew her so well, would see through her thin deception. ‘Well, he didn’t follow me in here, if that is what you are thinking.’ Clio crossed her fingers in her lap to negate the lie. Not that it was a lie precisely. He hadn’t followedimmediatelyafter her.
‘Of course I didn’t think that, silly.’
‘I don’t know why the duke danced with me,’ Clio said, because she had to say something. ‘We happened to be standing beside one another when the waltz struck up. I suppose he felt that he had to dance and I just happened to be there. I did notice Cora loitering close and we both have observed how blatantly she flaunts herself in front of him at every opportunity. I suppose I was the lesser of two evils.’
‘What was that noise?’ Adele asked, sitting upright and glaring at Clio’s dressing room door with suspicion.
‘What noise?’ Clio asked, knowing perfectly well. She had heard the duke attempting to stifle a laugh quite distinctly. ‘Probably someone moving about in the room next door. You know how sound travels in this old house.’
‘Well, whatever the duke’s reason, Cora looks upon you as the devil incarnate now. I heard her saying some quite spiteful things about you and took her to task for it.’
‘Thank you, dearest, but there is no need. Sticks and stones and all that. Besides, when the duke ignores me from this point on, speculation will soon die down.’
‘If he does. He seemed to laugh a great deal while you were dancing. Everyone agrees that they have never seen him look half so agreeable. He is fearfully handsome, don’t you think? All dark and brooding.’
Clio hesitated. Had Ezra not been hidden mere feet away, she would not have hesitated to agree but she was damned if she would stoke his quite disgustedly inflated pride by agreeing with Adele.
‘All dukes are regarded as handsome, even if they look like the back end of a horse,’ she replied. ‘But tell me how you got along with Lord Fryer this evening. Nowheis a handsome man, and charming and polite and everything that a gentleman should be.’
Adele launched into a monologue, praising Lord Fryer’s attributes, and obviously didn’t hear the disgruntled sound that came from behind the dressing room door. Clio did and smiled.
‘Well, I am glad that his attentions appear constant, although I am not surprised,’ Clio said when Adele ran out of ways to express her admiration for the gentleman she had clearly fallen head over heels in love with. ‘Of course you are beyond compare to any previous attachments on his part.’
Adele’s pretty face glowed with happiness. ‘I will confess that I like him very much, but am determined to simply enjoy his attentions and let the future take care of itself.’
‘Very wise, my love. You will have ample opportunity to sneak away for a little walk with him at tomorrow’s al fresco luncheon.’
‘Mama is fretting about the weather. One of the gardeners warned her that there is rain in the air and now she is worried that it will interfere with her plans.’
‘It wouldn’t dare!’
‘Mr Conway is an oddity, is he not? I wonder why he danced if he cannot remember the steps. He trod on my toes and we only came together fleetingly in the quadrille. You must be near crippled. I told Mama that was likely why you came up—to get away from him, I mean.’
‘In actual fact I came up to get away from Captain Salford. The wretched man will not leave me alone or take no for an answer. His attentions are becoming tiresome.’
‘That is wrong of him, but I’m afraid Mama does encourage him to pursue you, with the kindest of intentions, naturally. As you know, she sees good in everyone, especially if they are handsome and charming, which the captain can be when he puts his mind to it. Well, he’s handsome all the time, I suppose. One cannot turn one’s appearance on and off in the same way that one can charm to order. Anyway, she is convinced that he has your best interests at heart and that you only require a little persuasion.’
‘She is quite wrong about that, but I do not hold my aunt to blame. Captain Salford should be gentlemanly enough to accept my refusal and be done with it. He is spoiling the pleasure that I would otherwise take from this party.’
‘Then I am sorry.’
‘Which will not prevent you from enjoying Lord Fryer’s smiles, and nor should it.’ When Adele yawned behind her hand, Clio gave her arm a gentle squeeze. ‘Take yourself off to your bed, my love, and make sure you get enough sleep. You must look your very best for Lord Fryer on the morrow.’
‘Yes, I think I shall. I am fatigued. Good night, dearest.’ The cousins embraced. ‘Get some rest yourself. I am glad you have decided against Captain Salford. For all his charm, there is something about him I find disagreeable.’ She tapped the fingers of one hand against her opposite forearm in a contemplative manner and frowned. ‘I could not say if pressed exactly what it is that deters me. Perhaps it is nothing more than my objecting to him spoiling your pleasures with his attentions. Anyway, you would be much better advised to cultivate the duke’s good opinion.’
‘Adele!’
Adele laughed. ‘I don’t care what protests you raise, I saw the way he looked at you when you danced and it was not the look of a man whose feelings are not invested. He most certainly didn’t dance with you just because you happened to be standing nearby, but if you would prefer not to tell me the truth then I shall not press the issue. You are entitled to your secrets. Good night, my love.’
And with that she was gone.
‘You can come out now,’ Clio said wearily, embarrassed by what he had overheard.
