“Another? If this goes on you will not get to keep Havisham House when you rebuy it. You will owe it to me for all the favors I do you and my precious advice.”
“Whatever you require. For tonight, I need you to ask Lady Catherine for a dance. Her Father has been asking me to, and I will, but first I must speak to her sister once more.”
Henry rolled his eyes so far back only the white was visible.
“Must I?”
“Please. It will buy me some time if you occupy her first.”
With a dramatic sigh, Henry agreed. “Very well, but it appears she has a partner for the cotillion, I shall request another. Scottish reel perhaps. That is at least entertaining. Now, you had better declare your right for the next dance before the orchestra is finished setting up.”
Christopher scanned the dance floor and for one terrible moment, could not find her. But then, standing midway between him and her father, he spotted her. She was engaged in conversation with the Duke, who no doubt expected to share the cotillion with her as well.
I will show you, Thornmouth. You are not the only one who knows how to use the etiquette of thetonto his advantage.
He flared his nostrils and straightened his tailcoat as he set forth toward the couple, more determined now than ever.
Chapter 10
“Crawford Castle is magnificent. You will see. It is glorious. In fact, I am hosting a house party there in July, when Parliament is in recess. You should come, bring the whole family. Never too early to explore your future home, am I correct?”
He beamed at her in a way that made Rowena realize he was genuine. He had clearly been thinking about their future. In fact, he’d spoken of little else during their dance.
It is almost as if he has envisioned an entire future for us, without knowing me or asking me for my opinion.
It was not as though she had expected to be asked her opinion. It was rare that any wife was consulted on anything other than child rearing or perhaps embroidery. Still, it vexed her that the Duke had planned out her life for her without even meeting her.
Well…they had met. She recalled it now. They’d danced together at a ball a year ago. She’d had trouble remembering him because he had simply blended in with the other lords she’d danced with. They all faded away as soon as she took to her bed. She had never met anyone who lingered in her memory, never met anyone extraordinary. Until tonight.
She’d found herself unable to stop stealing glances at Lord Westmond. And he, evidently, felt the same for each time she looked at him, he’d returned the gaze. Her heart had ached when she’d had to tell him she could not dance with him.
And when Lord Thornmouth had so rudely inserted himself into their conversation and broke the news of their unofficial status, she’d wanted to break away and explain. For the look of disappointment on Westmond’s face has been crushing.
“No blemish to your reputation, I am certain.”
She realized she had not heard a word of what her soon to be husband had said to her.
“Excuse me, I did not hear the last part, the chatter around us is ever so loud.”
His mouth twitched in an odd manner, but he gave her a nod.
“I said that I know it is uncouth to dance more than two dances with a man, but given our status there ought to be no blemish to your reputation if we do. The cotillion is next, I believe?”
“And it has been promised to me,” a deep voice sounded out from behind the Duke of Thornmouth, who turned.
Rowena could not help but break into a wide grin. There he was. Duke Westmond.
“Excuse me?” the man in whose arms she presently was in said, his voice thick with disdain.
Rowena licked her lips, her eyes darting from one to the other while the music began in the background.
“I believe if you will take a look at her dance card, you will see my name written beside the cotillion, Your Grace.”
His voice was even and matter-of-fact. Lord Thornmouth turned to her, his eyes wide and wild, fury hidden beneath his handsome features.
“Is that so?” he asked.
She nodded. “Indeed, it is. He requested the dance before we knew when Your Grace would arrive.”
