He followed her gaze and saw her father standing there, talking to a young man.
Christopher frowned. He knew the man. It was the angry fellow he’d seen at the House of Lords a few weeks ago.
“Is that the Duke of Thornmouth?”
Beside him, Lady Rowena removed her arm from his and let it hang limply by her side. She nodded without saying a word. Across from them Duke Thornmouth and Lord Hazelshire had set in motion and were making their way toward them. Christopher looked at the line of dancers. There were only two pairs ahead of them.
“What is the matter, Lady Rowena? You look unwell. You’ve paled. Would you rather sit out this dance?”
At last she looked at him, her eyes filled with such sadness and regret that it hurt his very soul.
“I am ever so sorry, Your Grace. I will not be able to dance the minuet with you.”
“But of course, do not worry yourself with–”
He got no further for at that moment, her father and the young man had reached them, just as the couple ahead of them took to the dance floor.
“Look who has made an appearance at last, Rowena. The Duke had the most ghastly news from Cambridgeshire, ghastly indeed. There were riots regarding the–”
“Yes, yes, very unfortunate,” the man said, cutting off Lord Hazelshire in a rude manner. He ignored Christopher entirely and focused right on Lady Rowena.
“It is a pleasure to see you again, my dear. Now, shall we? I believe we are next in line.”
Rowena blinked at him and then glanced at Christopher. Her lips parted as she was about to speak but before she could, Christopher’s temper got the better of him.
How dare this dandy move in ahead of me? Who does he think he is? He must think because he is a duke, he’s better than the rest. Well, I too am a duke.
“Excuse me, Your Grace, but Lady Rowena has promised me the minuet. And the cotillion,” Christopher said, taking a step closer to Thornmouth, a smirk on his face.
“Is that so? I believe Lady Hazelshire has employed the new fashion of dance cards for this evening. Shall I inspect Lady Rowena’s dance card? For I am certain my name is written next to the minuet. In any case, I do not need your permission, Lord…whatever your name is.”
“Westmond. I am the Duke of Westmond.”
“Westmond, eh? How very unfortunate for you. Now, if you will excuse me. My future bride and I are going to partake in the festivities now.”
He turned his back to Christopher without another word, leading Rowena away. She glanced over her shoulder; the expression of regret marked her pretty face. She mouthed ‘I am sorry’ and then turned to begin the dance.
Bride? Did he say my bride? Surely, I misheard him. It cannot be.
She could not be betrothed. It wasn’t possible. She was perfect for him. They were perfect together. He had to have misunderstood.
“I am ever so sorry for the mix-up, Your Grace. His Grace was to be here more than an hour ago and got held up. Evidently there was an incident up in Cambridgeshire with the–”
Christopher shook his head and raised a hand.
“I apologize for interrupting, Lord Hazelshire. But did His Grace refer to your daughter as his bride?”
The older man broke into proud grin and nodded as he looked at the couple dancing.
“Indeed, he did. They shall be married sooner rather than later. A fine match it will be. He is a bit brusque, as you noted. However, it is that attitude that has brought him far in the House of Lords and at Court. He will make a good husband. I am certain.”
Christopher’s head felt as though it was spinning. How could this be? She’d not acted like a woman betrothed, not at all. In fact, the manner in which they conversed had led him to believe that…well…that she might feel what he felt. Or could at least.
“I did not realize Lady Rowena was betrothed to be married. Congratulations, Lord Hazelshire,” he tore his eyes away from the dancing couple and focused on her father.
“Well, it is not an official betrothal as yet. In fact, tonight is the first time Rowena has met him since the arrangement was made. They shall begin courting as of now. However, it is all set. The Duke is quite eager for the wedding to go ahead. He’s besotted with Rowena. Has been since they first met a year ago.”
Christopher could tell from the manner in which the older man spoke that he loved his daughter very much. That he wanted the best for her. If only he could see that Thornmouth was not it. He was rude and brash, and from Christopher’s experience with him, utterly unsuited for someone like Lady Rowena.
