Page 37 of She Tempts the Duke
“Only during the dance, of course,” Tristan said, smoothly cutting the man off. “Which is when, my lady?”
“Two dances hence.”
“I shall wait with baited breath.”
With a quick curtsy, she scurried away, her hands fluttering so madly that she had no need of a fan.
“Relax, Weatherly,” Sebastian said. “She’s far too young for my brother, and we have scandal aplenty in our family without creating more.”
“Innocent flirtation, Weatherly,” Tristan said in an additional effort to reassure the man.
“If you wish introductions ...” the lady began, then halted as her husband’s jaw turned as hard as granite.
Sebastian suspected she’d rather not make them anyway. “I’m certain we shall get along on our own. I’ve already spotted a few familiar faces.” He didn’t know who the devil the people were but he remembered seeing them the night he and his brothers burst into his uncle’s ball. And of course there were those he’d met at Lady Ivers’s dinner. The woman had indeed done him a great service.
He didn’t think Lady Weatherly could have looked more relieved if he’d stated that they were taking their leave. With a bow to their hosts, he strode past them in to the main portion of the salon. He located an unhampered area that gave way to shadow. A perfect spot for watching.
“Well, it seems we are once again garnering attention,” Tristan mused laconically.
“We are hardly known and, therefore, we are a curiosity,” Sebastian said. He scanned the crowd, noticed a man walking toward him. Unlike everyone else in the room, he seemed neither curious nor intrigued, but he wore confidence with the ease that most men wore their jacket. His black hair was perfectly styled. As he neared, his emerald eyes caught Sebastian’s attention. He’d seen them before.
The man stopped before him. “Keswick. My lords.”
Sebastian shook his head. “I’m sorry, man. You look familiar but—”
“Ainsley. Our paths crossed at Eton some years back.”
“I was there for only a year. I can hardly countenance that you remembered me.”
“I must confess that I doubt I’d have known who you were if someone hadn’t pointed you out to me. I understand you fought in the Crimea.”
“I did indeed.”
“My brother returned home last fall to recover from injuries. Bloody awful thing. I’m glad you’re home, man.”
“Thank you, Ainsley.” He wondered if Ainsley had heard everything. Surely he had, but apparently he was not one to speculate or gossip.
“If you gentlemen will excuse me now, I must take my leave.”
“The evening is young,” Rafe said.
“I seldom attend these affairs, but I have made it a policy that when I do, I call it an evening as soon as I’ve enjoyed one dance. Less chance to give the mothers ideas or hope. Gentlemen.” He made his way out of the ballroom without making any further stops.
“Ainsley?” Tristan murmured.
“An extremely wealthy and powerful duke,” Rafe said.
“I suppose you know them all,” Tristan said.
“A good many of them. Some belong to my club. Ainsley doesn’t. His speaking with you should give you a certain amount of cache.”
“And has delayed my searching out the lovely Lady Hermione,” Tristan said. “If you’ll excuse me, I believe it’s almost time for our dance.”
“Do take care with her, Tristan,” Sebastian ordered. “She is a lady and not a doxy.”
“I’m not as uncivilized as you might think. I know we’re being judged by our actions tonight.”
“I meant no insult.”
