He might as well be honest. It seemed that the duchess was determined to satisfy her curiosity. “Prior to this evening, I would have said no. But now…” He began moving toward the edge of the ballroom dance floor, which was less crowded. “But now there might be someone.”
“Lucy? I mean Lady Mansfield?”
There would be no denying it after tonight if he decided to pursue her. “Perhaps.”
“Excellent. I’m going to help you.” Her satisfaction was clear.
He wanted to groan. For a heartbeat he wondered whether he was actually ready for this. It was one thing to consider searching for a wife but another entirely to commit himself to the task.
But then he remembered all those other men who’d swarmed around Lady Mansfield all evening and realized it didn’t really matter whether he was ready. Time was a luxury he didn’t have. The one thing he did know with a bone-deep certainty was that he couldn’t stand the idea of Lady Mansfield with one of those other men.
“I wasn’t aware she was looking to marry again so soon.”
The duchess sighed. “She insists she isn’t ready to entertain that possibility.”
He felt a pang of dismay that surprised him. “So there is no point in continuing this conversation.”
Was he actually disappointed that he wouldn’t be able to court the duke’s sister? Hours ago, he’d told Hargrove that any kind of relationship between them would be complicated since it might lead to him being barred from receiving future invitations that might include the Claringtons. And even if he weren’t banned, it could very well make social situations more than a little awkward. But now he found that he didn’t want to just know Lady Mansfield better. He actually wanted to court her.
“I would like the opportunity to become acquainted with the baroness. But I won’t force my attentions on her if she’s not looking to marry again.” He’d just have to devote his time to keeping the sharks away from her.
The duchess beamed up at him. “You’ll need to tempt her to change her mind.”
He’d always liked this woman, but now she was fast becoming one of his favorite people. “What did you have in mind?”
“I’ve known Lucy my whole life, and she can be a little stubborn once she’s settled on a course of action. But I have reason to believe she wouldn’t mind receiving your attention.”
The duchess and Lady Mansfield must have spoken about him. Her Grace was happily married, and the Claringtons were widely considered to be one of the few couples that proved love in marriage could be more than just a fairy tale. Surely the duchess wouldn’t be encouraging him in this way, against her friend’s stated desire to remain unmarried, if she didn’t know that Lady Mansfield also felt the simmering attraction that was brewing between them.
He hadn’t thought it was one-sided, but it was gratifying to have his suspicions confirmed.
Somehow he kept from laughing out loud when he thought of all the other men who were preening about, hoping to gain her favor even if only for just one night.
The duchess had made it known she was willing to help him, and he wasn’t too proud to accept her assistance. “How do you suggest I proceed?”
“I spoke with Lady Mansfield before she retired for the night. She informed me that she is willing to receive your call tomorrow.”
He was so fixated on their conversation that he almost missed the couple that was barreling toward them. A young man and an almost-painfully-young woman who were so occupied with each other that they weren’t paying attention to the other couples moving around them.
Holbrook turned the duchess to the left, and the oblivious pair swept past them with only inches to spare. Unfortunately, another couple wasn’t quite so fortunate, and there was a huff of indignation and hastily murmured apologies before the young couple moved off at a more sedate pace.
The duchess laughed. “That was a near miss. Who would have thought a waltz could be so hazardous?”
He managed to smile in reply, but his thoughts were already occupied with the next obstacle in his path. “Should I speak with the duke tonight and let him know I’m interested in courting his sister?”
The duchess shook her head. “Good heavens, no. For now it would be best if we don’t inform my dear husband about this matter.” He was about to protest, but she continued. “Trust me. Call tomorrow afternoon and speak to Lucy first. There are matters the two of you need to discuss before my husband can be made aware of your courtship.”
He would have to take her word on the matter, but keeping the duke in the dark didn’t sit well with him. It made Holbrook feel as though his interest in Lady Mansfield wasn’t honorable. “The duke won’t wonder why I’m calling?”
She shook her head. “He has several appointments tomorrow afternoon. Don’t worry—I have faith that everything will work out as it should.”
Chapter 6
When Lucy opened her eyes, her first thought was of her waltz with Lord Holbrook last night. Despite the fact she’d danced with many men afterward, the details of that waltz with the viscount was the only memory that had taken hold of her imagination.
The way he’d looked, tall and handsome, his eyes filled with friendly warmth. And when she closed her eyes and sank into that moment, she could almost feel the weight of his hand at her waist, his other hand lightly holding hers, guiding her with supreme ease and confidence across the dance floor.
His arm where she’d gripped him had been surprisingly firm. Her husband had been slim and he’d taken great pride in his appearance, but there was a very important difference between the two men. Holbrook had muscles that Mansfield hadn’t possessed.
