“Good evening, Lady Cambourne.” The Duke of Dunbar bent over her outstretched hand. She saw him looking over her hand to the dance floor, his eyes following the girl in green.
Donata was relieved to see that outside of his annoyance at Lord Berton, Nick looked better than he had in months. The darkness was gone from his mismatched eyes and the sadness that seemed to linger about his shoulders since his return from Bermuda had faded. She turned to study the girl in green more closely.
Donata knew full wellwhyNick had gone to Bermuda, after all she wrote him his false letters of introduction. She also knew that he came back empty handed, saying only that the man he sought had died and the trip had been for naught.
Donata suspected he lied.
He spoke little of his time on the islands, even to Sutton, his closest friend. Nick began to drink heavily several months after his return, avoiding everyone and everything. Sutton thought that perhaps it was grief over his grandfather’s death or the pressure of assuming the vast responsibilities of Dunbar.
The mantle of grief Nick wore about him was profound and spoke of a great loss. While she knew Nick missed his grandfather, Donata sensed his grieving was not for Henry. Reluctantly, and only after the urging of his aunt, Lady Cupps-Foster, and his sister, Arabella, did he begin to attend events and return to his usual haunts, though he seemed to take no joy in any of it. Sutton told her that Nick had resigned himself to marrying in order to provide Dunbar with an heir.
Donata's gaze flicked from the jealous countenance of the Duke of Dunbar to the reckless girl in green who appeared determined to annoy the most dangerous man in London.
The girl purposefully steered herself and Lord Berton closer to where Donata stood. Shegiggled and batted her eyes at Lord Berton as if he were the most interesting man alive.
He was not. Donata had the misfortune of conversing with Lord Berton once. The man was not especially entertaining.
The girl threw back her head, swatting Lord Berton again with her fan. She shot Nick a smug look of satisfaction.
An odd sound came from His Grace's throat.
Donata thought it sounded like agrowl. She rather thought His Grace would leap at Lord Berton. Perhaps strangle the man. Dear Lord, Alex, her granddaughter-in-law would never throw another ball if Nick strangled someone on the parquet dance floor.
Donata stamped her cane again in agitation. When His Grace's attention did not immediately turn her way, she whacked his shin.
His Grace scowled. “That hurt.”
“Balderdash. You are built like a great oak. I have the ruined chairs to prove it. Who is she?” Donata countered.
The duke shot her a look that would have withered a lesser mortal.
Donata was not one to be quelled by an irritated male and certainly not His Grace whom she had known since he was a lad. “Use your scowl on someone who truly believes you to be the Devil,Nicholas.” Addressing him by his given name she beat her cane on the floor in order to make her point. “You will have to do better should you wish to frightenme.”
A whisper of a smile crossed his lips. “Truly, my lady, there are many more of thetonafraid ofyouthan the Devil of Dunbar.” He bowed, the shaggy locks of his hair hiding his face. “I stand down. I know when I am beaten.”
“Well?” Donata was not one to be put off by apology. “Answer my question, scamp.”
“I don't know what you mean.” Nick's eyes flicked back to Lord Berton's dance partner, his gaze hungry on the girl as it followed her about the room.
“Mmph.” Donata gripped her cane, not caring to be thwarted in her curiosity and considered swatting His Grace again. “Don't be obtuse, Nicholas, it doesn't suit you.”
The dance ended and the girl allowed herself to be led off the floor by Lord Berton. She laughed loudly as he said something in her ear and pretended to muffle her outburst with one gloved hand.
Donata rolled her eyes at the girl's theatrics, for clearly she acted purely for Nick's benefit. Lord Berton had the wit of a boiled turnip.
The girl lifted her chin in Nick's direction, the challenge in her eyes clear.
His Grace made another disturbing noise.
Goodness. Heisgrowling, rather like a wild animal.
“I fear for Lord Berton,” Donata said blithely.
“You should.” Nick nodded to her. “My lady, I beg your leave. There is something that requires my attention.”
“Indeed there is.” Donata said more to herself than Nick as he moved away to follow Lord Berton and the girl.
“What in the world is wrong with Nick tonight? He reminds me of an angry bear who hasn't had a bite to eat all winter. Lady Tomlinson is quite put out that he’s left her on her own.”
