He supposed it was possible she’d already retired for the night. He knew she stayed with her brother when she was in town, so she might have gone upstairs.
Dammit, he shouldn’t have taken his eyes off her. He turned toward the garden doors, determined to search the grounds in case Lady Mansfield needed assistance.
“Lord Holbrook.”
He wanted to curse, but when he turned and saw it was the duchess who’d sought his attention, he felt a measure of relief. He looked past her, expecting to find Lady Mansfield with her friend. But the duchess was alone.
“Are you looking for someone, my lord?”
The Duchess of Clarington was an imposing figure. Her red hair was styled elaborately, diamonds winking throughout the mass. She wore emeralds at her throat and ears and a dark green gown that accentuated her coloring.
She was quite tall for a woman, and that height should have made her seem aloof. But despite her lofty stature and status in society, the woman was approachable. Unlike other duchesses, who thought themselves superior to those of lower status, Clarington’s wife was universally liked.
There was a gleam in her eyes, and he realized that somehow the duchess was aware of his interest in her friend. There was no point in hiding it. Besides, every second he delayed here could mean someone was taking advantage of the beautiful widow.
“Have you seen Lady Mansfield? I thought she was with you.”
Her eyes narrowed as she examined him. “My sister-in-law has retired for the evening.”
Relief swept through him. Thank God.
The duchess lowered her voice. “Ask me to dance, my lord. I wish to speak with you.”
The waltz was already underway, but there was nothing to stop them from joining the other couples, something that would have been impossible if the dance had been a quadrille.
He swept into a low bow. “Your Grace, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”
Her eyes were sparkling as she dipped into a curtsy before taking his arm. She wasted no time in coming right to the reason she wanted to speak to him. “What are your intentions with respect to my sister-in-law?”
That was the question, wasn’t it? He didn’t know what his intentions were. He only knew that he liked Lady Mansfield a great deal. That he wanted to get to know her better and had an irrational desire to call out every man who’d danced with her that evening.
He decided to turn the question back to her. “Have I been inappropriate in my attentions?”
She let out a soft sigh, and unless he was mistaken, he thought he detected a hint of disappointment. Perhaps his invitation to dinner last night had been a matchmaking attempt after all.
“So you don’t feel any romantic attraction to Lady Mansfield?”
Good heavens, this woman was direct. He’d give her the same honesty in response. “I would be lying if I said I didn’t find her intriguing. But given how much attention she’s received this evening, I don’t think I’m alone in that sentiment.” He’d tried to keep his voice even, hoping he wouldn’t betray his earlier annoyance.
The way the duchess’s lips turned up in satisfaction told him he hadn’t been successful. “I’m not surprised. She has much to recommend her.”
“Lady Mansfield is beautiful—no one here would deny that. But she’s also the duke’s sister, and I would never presume?—”
“You should.”
He almost faltered. Instead, he turned the near misstep into an exaggerated sweep, weaving them through a few of the more staid couples who were barely moving.
The duchess’s brows rose a fraction. “You are a very good dancer, my lord. That bodes well for other activities.”
What was happening here? Surely the duchess wasn’t trying to encourage his inappropriate interest in her sister-in-law. “I sincerely hope you’re not about to proposition me.”
The duchess laughed. “Good heavens, no. I think we both know that wasn’t what I meant.”
“I’m almost afraid to continue this conversation.”
The duchess examined him for several long moments that had him wondering just how long this waltz was going to last.
Finally, just as he’d begun to think she was going to let the matter drop, she spoke again. “Tell me, my lord, is there anyone on whom you’ve set your sights this season?”
