“I’m pleased you decided to attend tonight,” Evans said.
“Well, I wasn’t going to until the prospect of another endless night with only my mother for company propelled me out the door.”
“Have things improved at all?”
Hutchinson shook his head. “No. When she’s not berating me for one thing or another, she’s a ghost in the house, wandering the rooms like a wraith. I can hear her late at night.”
“Perhaps she needs some company. Has she seen any of her friends lately?”
“Not that I know of. She refuses every suggestion I make, so frankly, I’ve stopped asking.”
“Grief is hard. She may need more time to reconcile herself to the tragedy.”
Hutchinson ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “I honestly don’t know. From what I could tell, she barely tolerated my father over the years, but she was always doting on Arthur and Oliver. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was the reason my father kept paying Arthur’s gambling debts. I understand a little more of the family dynamics now. On a good day, Grace is a force to reckon with. I’m sure she wore my father down over the years, and it was easier to give in to her demands than listen to her complaints.”
Evan nodded and commented, “I was surprised to see you dancing with Miss Weston. Have you changed your mind about courting her?”
“No, but I saw her face when Baron Oakley approached her for a dance. I couldn’t let that leech get close to her.”
“You do realize that you’ve stirred up a great deal of gossip by your actions, don’t you?”
“I know, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll do everything in my power, limited as it is, to protect her from men like Oakley.”
“It’s noble of you to want to protect her, but be careful you don’t cause her more harm than good.”
Hutchinson blew out a breath in frustration. “I understand and will heed your warning.”
“Shall we return to the ladies?” Evans asked.
Hutchinson nodded, and they began to walk back into the ballroom, only to be stopped by Miss Darvey, who was standing just inside the French doors.
“Lord Hutchinson, how pleasant to see you. Lord Evans, good evening,” she said with a curtsey.
“Miss Darvey,” Hutchinson said with a nod. The last thing he needed was to be confronted by the young lady, especially after his emotional dance with Miss Weston. “If you’ll excuse me, Miss Darvey,” he said, attempting to walk past her.
She reached out and placed her hand on his arm. “Won’t you sign my dance card this evening, my lord?” she said, batting her eyelashes at him. “I have the second waltz available.”
He looked down at her hand and then back at her face, and she immediately removed her hand from his sleeve, taking a step back at his scowl. “Good evening, Miss Darvey,” he said before striding by her and out of the ballroom without talking to anyone else. He was done trying to be sociable tonight. All he wanted was a good stiff brandy and the solitude of his study.
His carriage was soon brought around, and he jumped in for the ride back to his townhouse. He couldn’t stop thinking about how perfect Lydia felt in his arms. Her orange blossom scent had invaded his senses during their waltz, and it filled him with such longing at the knowledge that he could never make her his wife. The carriage stopped, and George hopped down and walked up the stairs.
Peters opened the door. “Good evening, my lord. I trust you had a pleasant evening.”
“It was fine. Go to bed and get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said over his shoulder as he walked down the hallway to his study. Once inside his sanctuary, he poured himself a brandy and took a seat by the fireplace. Tonight had been wonderful until Miss Darvey tried to corner him into dancing with her. He didn’t like to be ambushed and vowed to steer clear of the young lady if he attended any other events this Season.
Chapter 7
Lydia had been watching theinteraction between Lord Hutchinson and Miss Darvey as he and Lord Evans reentered the ballroom. Would he be interested in her now that he and Lydia couldn’t marry? He didn’t look pleased to see her, and if the pout on her face was any indication of how their conversation went, Lydia could only assume he’d politely rebuffed her.
“Well, that was interesting,” Helena whispered. “I suspect Miss Darvey is not happy.”
“I can only imagine Lord Hutchinson didn’t sign her dance card,” Lydia agreed.
“I believe you’re correct, my dear. It seems Miss Darvey is even more determined to catch Lord Hutchinson’s eye now that he’s a marquis. I’m sure she’d like nothing better than to be the next Marchioness of Hutchinson.”
“She was keen on him back when he was only Lord Spenser, so I’m sure you’re correct. Now that he’s titled, he’s an even bigger prize in her eyes,” Lydia replied.
Lord Evans soon joined them. “I believe that was enough spectacle for one evening. Are you ready to depart, my dear?” he asked Helena.
