Page 7 of The Duke's Scandal
“He did apologize at least,” Lady Rosalyn said, her voice a bit quieter now. “I am disappointed that he did not challenge Lord Meadows on what he said about bluestockings.”
Isobella tried to shrug it off. “Most likely,that is because he agrees,” she said, aware that what Lord Meadows had expressed about bluestockings was what the majority of those in society believed. “Come now, let us set that aside and remove it from our minds so we can enjoy the rest of our afternoon.”
Lady Rosalyn let out a long breath, set her shoulders, and then smiled. “Yes, you are quite right. We should not let their rudeness upset the rest of our day.”
Unable to help herself, Isobella glanced back at the Duke and Lord Meadows again, only to see the Duke looking back at her. Her chest tightened, and she turned her head away quickly, a little embarrassed. “We will forget them both,” she said firmly. “I am sure we will have no need to speak to either of them again.”
Chapter Four
Imust find those two young ladies again.
“Good evening, Your Grace! How wonderful to see you present!”
Amos blinked, then bowed quickly, trying desperately to remember the young lady’s name. “Good evening.”
“I do hope you are dancing this evening, Your Grace?” The young lady’s mother – whose name Amos could not recall either – beamed at him with hope shining in her eyes. “Everyone will be speaking about your presence here this evening and the lucky young ladies that you will stand up with!”
“Alas, I am not to dance this evening,” Amos said quickly, seeing the light in the lady’s eyes fading. “This is the first ball I have attended this Season, and thus, I have chosen instead simply to greet some old acquaintances and, of course, to make some new ones also.”
“Oh.” The young lady glanced at her mother, then, glancing up at him from lowered lashes, gave him a coy smile. “Is there no hope of you changing your mind, Your Grace?”
A hand settled on Amos’s shoulder. “I am afraid, Lady Gwendoline, that when the Duke of Exeter makes a decision, he is never able to be turned from it. Is that not so, Your Grace?”
Amos glanced at Lord Galbraith as he dropped his hand back to his side, relieved that his brother-in-law had come to his aid. “Indeed it is,” he said, looking back at Lady Gwendoline, who now appeared to have tears in her eyes. “Although I am glad to have spoken with you again, Lady Gwendoline. Do excuse me.” With another bow and a small smile, he stepped away, with Lord Galbraith beside him. They had only gone a few steps when Amos let out a huff of relief, making Lord Galbraith chuckle.
“Was it truly so very bad?”
“I could not recall her name,northe name of her mother!” Amos exclaimed, pressing one hand to his forehead. “I have been in London for three days now and have met so many new acquaintances, my head is spinning with names and faces! Thank goodness you arrived when you did, for I should be quite without hope otherwise.” Lord Galbraith had taken his own carriage from the townhouse to the ball, suggesting that Amos might like to linger for a little longer than he himself. Amos had driven to the ball first and had, upon stepping into the ballroom, been a little overwhelmed by the sheer number of people wishing to speak with him. It had felt as if he were being pressed on every side, being squeezed into a tight box of people. It was not a pleasant experience.
“This is not what I thought it would be,” he muttered, aware of how near every eye glanced at him. “I understood that there would be a good deal of attention upon me, certainly, but nothing as severe as this.”
Lord Galbraith snorted. “You are a Duke, Exeter. What else did you think would happen?”
Feeling a little embarrassed, Amos looked away, inadvertently catching the eye of a young lady who immediately flushed and batted her eyelashes.
Amos looked away, his stomach twisting. “I presumed that while there would be some attention placed upon me, there would be nothing of this… intensity. Everywhere I go, I have near every young lady or their mother watching me, eager to come speak with me. I am forced to try and remember their names and titles whilst, at the same time, seeking to speak to them in a manner that does not seem rude, especially when they ask me such direct questions!”
“Such as, asking if you are to dance or not?”
“Precisely! What was I meant to say to that?” Amos pushed one hand over his hair, wanting to tug at his collar but choosing not to do so for fear that he would ruin his cravat. “If I said that yes, I was, then she would have the expectation that I would ask her to dance. Which I did not want to do.”
Lord Galbraith offered a small, understanding smile. “You are free of it for this evening, so be glad of that. You shall have to dance at the next ball, however, for thetonwill begin to speak of it if you do not.”
Amos scowled. “I do not like society a good deal, I think.”
“And yet,” his friend said, with a chuckle, “within it, you must find yourself a suitable bride.”
I fear I have no hope of that.These first three days had overwhelmed Amos somewhat. There had been so many people near him, all determined to speak with him, to introduce themselves to him, to simply benearhim! How was heever to find someone suitable when he could not near breathe without garnering the attention of at least five or six young ladies?
“Do not be so disheartened!” Lord Galbraith said, slapping Amos on the back. “Thetonwill lessen in their attentions towards you very soon, I am sure.” He winced. “It will not lessen a great deal, but itwilllessen somewhat. Come, let us stand over here where the shadows hang a little lower.”
This did not bring Amos a good deal of comfort, but the glass of whisky he was handed thereafter, did. Taking a sip, he let out a small sigh and then looked about him.
“Mayhap you will do something dreadful and offend and upset a good many of theton,” Lord Galbraith said, with a grin. “That way, you will not have anywhere near the same attention as you have at present.”
Amos snorted. “I have already offended two young ladies, I am afraid, but that was entirely accidental. I was a little foolish and much too forward, I will admit, but all the same, I have no intention of doing anything like that again.”
“Oh?” Lord Galbraith cocked his head. “What did you do?”
