Page 37 of A Lady's Beastly Duke
Anastasia giggled, and her cheeks flushed with the thought that he meant that the rest of the men would not simply envy him the company of all the ladies, but her company in particular. He made her feel beautiful. That was not the reason that her heart leapt when she saw him—that was because of him alone—though it was perhaps the reason why a playful smile lifted the corner of her mouth when they talked.
“My sister always chooses a Polonaise as the concluding dance,” he noted as the music, lively and fast, filled the room. “I don’t know if it’s as a challenge to the guests—anyone still sufficiently awake to perform such a lively dance ought to win a prize.”
Anastasia laughed aloud. “What a terrific idea!”
He beamed. “It’s rather unfortunate that the Polonaise is usually a short dance,” he murmured, and his gaze was wistful again.
Anastasia nodded, but it was only as he bowed, to proceed with the other gentlemen to the billiards room, that she realized that he meant that, if the dance had been longer, they might have had longer to talk.
She gazed over her shoulder longingly as she saw him wander off in the direction of the door. A small smile lifted the corner of her lips, and the warmth of their discussion burned inside her like a candle, making her grin as she drifted towardsthe big door. Her mother’s voice, from just beside her, made her turn abruptly, startled.
“Daughter! There you are. Shall we go up for a cup of tea? I long for one.”
Anastasia smiled. Her mother’s eyes were sparkling. Usually, her mother looked either weary or tense—especially when Father was nearby. It was unusual to see such joy on her face and her own heart soared with delight. She glanced around and was surprised to see two women who she did not immediately recognize with Mama. She frowned, then smiled in happy amazement.
It was the Dowager Duchess of Willowick, and the lady she had been accompanying when they met in London.
“Anastasia, dear,” Mama murmured as they stepped into the entrance-way. “I am pleased to introduce you to the Duchess of Willowick.”
“I have met your dear daughter before,” her Grace murmured, making Mama frown.
“You have?” She looked at Anastasia, who smiled and nodded.
“Yes. We have already met briefly.”
“You did?” Mama gazed at Anastasia and then turned to the duchess, whose green eyes lit with warmth.
“Indeed. I was very pleased to meet Lady Anastasia.”She smiled with genuine happiness. Anastasia drew a breath. While she would have sworn that her own mother was the most beautiful older woman in London, the duchess—with her strong features and stunning eyes—was breathtaking. Her green eyes were lined at the edges, her brown hair graying at the temples, but the vitality and warmth that poured from her were engaging and combined with her striking looks made her a real beauty. “This is my sister-in-law, the dowager Viscountess of Camberwell,” she added, indicating the woman on her left with the dark hair and the slightly tense, pretty face.
“Good evening,” Anastasia murmured, dropping a curtsey to the lady who the duke had introduced as his aunt.
“Good evening, Lady Anastasia.”
Anastasia’s mother smiled at her, as if sensing that she was utterly bewildered.
“Come and join us for a cup of tea, dear,” she said gently. “And then I think I would like to go home and rest.”
“Yes,” Anastasia murmured. “Yes. That sounds pleasant.” She gazed with a mixture of astonishment and perplexity at the three elder ladies. Her father had already given Lord Ridley permission to court her. Why was her mother being so friendly to the duchess and her sister-in-law, when they had explicitly been told to avoid all contact with the duke? It made her happy to see her mother so accepting of the duke’s family, but it bewildered her too.
With her head swimming in confusion, she followed the three older ladies up the stairs to the drawing room.
“Would you like some sugar?” Lady Camberwell asked, passing Anastasia the sugar-bowl and tongs. Anastasia smiled.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“What a lovely ball,” Mama said contentedly as she stirred her tea. “Your daughter has arranged a most delightful evening for us.”
“She is a most proficient organizer,” the duchess replied, a faint smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “I took great pleasure in having her oversee my own household.”
Anastasia chuckled. Despite the duchess’ regal appearance, she could actually imagine her delegating much of the organizing to her industrious young daughter.
“May I say that you danced very beautifully?” the duchess said to Anastasia. She felt her cheeks redden.
“Thank you, Your Grace,” she murmured, looking at the table with shyness.
“Anastasia is a fine dancer,” Mama said warmly. “She has always enjoyed it greatly.”
“How grand,” Lady Camberwell said with a smile.
