Page 39 of A Lady's Beastly Duke
He must have been tired, because he said nothing, only nodded briefly as they clambered in. Nobody talked much and she slipped into a drowsy slumber as the coach rattled and jolted along, her lips lifting in a smile at thoughts of the duke. Love like that was allowed and welcome and wonderful and she knew that now. She could not wait to see him again soon—if only her father might allow it.
Chapter 14
Sidney stood in the hallway. He could hear the loud talk of men in the billiard room, their laughter drifting out to him where he stood beside a potted fern. He gazed around wearily. Though it was Amy’s ball, and he felt obliged to go and join Henry and the rest, he was reluctant to enter. The room’s occupants would be evenly mixed between those who stared at him and whispered, and those who were too intoxicated to notice.
Either way, I do not care to mingle with them,he thought icily.
The sound of voices made him stiffen. Someone was coming up the hallway and he felt pushed to a decision. Either he had to enter the room, or he had to go downstairs and excuse himself.
He walked towards the room uncertainly, but just as he got there, the two talking people arrived. One of them was tall and gray-haired and the other was shorter, with a squarish face and hard, sharp eyes. The sharp-eyed man spotted Sidney and he tensed, frowning.
I know that face from somewhere.
The man gestured to his tall companion. “You go in, Edward. I have some business to attend to over here.” He nodded inSidney’s direction. “I’ll be a moment or two.”
“Of course, Hubert.” The tall man inclined his head.
Hubert? Sidney frowned. He did not know anyone called Hubert, but the man seemed insistent that he knew Sidney, because he believed he had business with him.
“Good evening?” Sidney said cautiously. The smaller, sharp-eyed man was squinting up at him in a way that seemed threatening. He was certain he did recognize the man, but the memory eluded him.
“Don’t pretend to exchange pleasantries with me,” the small man growled.
Sidney blinked in astonishment, then drew himself up to his full height. “I beg your pardon,” he began angrily. “I think you are confused. You do not know me, and I have never been introduced to you.” He spoke coldly to the shorter man. He had always been tall and imposing, and he relished that the man momentarily flinched.
“You are to leave my daughter in peace. I don’t need you making scandals with her.”
“Scandals?” Sidney frowned. “Excuse me, sir, but who might you be?” He had a horrid sensation that he knew, but he wanted to confirm it before he knew what he was going to say.
“Don’t fool about,” the man grunted. “I’m the Earl of Graystone.”
“You are Lady Anastasia’s...” He trailed off.
“Yes. She is my daughter. And I will have you know that if I see you near her again, you will be sorry.”
Sidney stiffened his posture and looked down his nose at the small man. “Do not presume to threaten me,” he said in a flint-cold tone. “I respect Lady Anastasia, and I would do whatever it took to preserve her honour. I have no need of threats from you.”
The little man glared at him. Sidney held his glare, and he had the satisfaction of seeing his posture shift, his shoulder slumping just a little. Sidney, being tall and long-limbed, had a natural advantage in a duel of swords or pistols, and the heavy muscle of his shoulders added to the impression. He had never had anyone dare challenge him in the past and it did him good to see the small, angry man look uncertain.
“Just leave her alone,” the man muttered and stalked off.
Sidney turned away.
His heart thudded, racing. He had not realized until the threat passed that he had been so tense. He went into the billiards room and looked around. Henry was by the window, talking to a group of gentlemen, laughing and smiling. There was nobody to talk to and the laughter and loud banter hurt his ears and made his heart race—both still recovering from the confrontation just seconds ago in the hallway. Sidney wished, suddenly, to go home. He went to the door.
“Please inform my mother that I am in the coach,” he told a footman who he spotted walking down the hall.
“At once, Your Grace,” the footman replied. Amy’s staff all knew him, since he called on her and Henry often. The man went to the drawing room to find Mama. Sidney went downstairs. The coach was waiting outside, and he ached to be at home.
“Sidney!” Mama exclaimed as she came downstairs. Aunt Harriet was with her. “Should we depart? I must confess I am tired.”
“Yes, Mama,” Sidney said with a sigh. “Let us depart. I am weary also and wish to sleep.”
“I will also be glad to be back at home,” Aunt Harriet said softly. “What a lovely evening!” She beamed at Mama and Sidney.
“Yes. Amy organised a grand ball,” Mama agreed. “I told her so before we exited the drawing room.”
“Good,” Sidney said softly. He felt guilty—it was Amy’s ball, and he hoped she wasn’t upset that they were departing early.
