“You should not,” Barbara replied, much to their shock. “There have been whispers that it was her fault that the family died in the first place as such accidents are not commonplace that time of the year. She may even be cursed…”
“Enough!” The Duke stepped in, unable to be a quiet bystander any longer. “It is not dignified for anyone to speak about someone who endured such an awful tragedy that way.”
“Your Grace, you know I am only repeating what the others are already saying…”
“Even then,” he said firmly, “you should not be gossiping over such topics.”
Duncan realized that his tone had come out harsher than he had intended in the heat of the moment. Barbara’s cheeks flooded with color, and she looked down to her feet.
“Well… I was just saying…” she muttered, embarrassed. “Oh, I believe I am being summoned. I shall take my leave.”
Barbara scuttled out of there quickly, and Duncan was relieved to be left alone with his mother again.
“The gall of some people…” he muttered, not bothering to hide his disappointment.
“Careful, my dear. She is still the daughter of the Marquess. He was there for our family in times of need.”
“You mean just father,” the Duke replied. “He borrowed money from the Marquess, only to gamble it away. I had to pay off his debts.”
“Oh, stop now.” His mother held him gently by the arm and began to lead him out to the crowd of people. “It is time to start off on the right foot. There are many lovely, young ladies I would like to introduce you to.”
“Of course.”
“Lady Greenwald,” Anna smiled as she greeted an older woman. “Lovely to see you here. That must be your daughter?”
Lady Greenwald nodded. “Why, yes. I would like to introduce you to Lady Elena. Today is her debut, and she is very excited to meet everyone.”
The Duke could feel two inquisitive new pairs of eyes on him. He knew that he was expected to make a polite intervention at this point, perhaps ask the young lady for a dance.
But when he looked at her, he could not help but notice how much younger she appeared to be. The Duke thought she must be about nineteen which was the usual age for a young woman’s debut.
“Good to meet you, My Lady,” he replied in a lackluster manner. Faking his emotions was one thing that the Duke had never learned how to do.
“You know, the young people these days, they have so much to discuss,” Lady Greenwald said. “I am sure these two could find a lot in common with each other.”
“Of course, I think so too,” the Dowager agreed.
“For instance, my Elena is an enthusiastic embroider. She has recently learned many new patterns.”
The Duke found himself tuning out of the conversation. Even if he was looking for a potential lady this evening, he was sure that someone with hobbies as bland as embroidery would never make the cut.
The Dowager noticed the abject lack of interest on her son’s part and quickly made an excuse for them to exit the conversation.
“Thank you, mother,” the Duke chuckled as they moved away from them. “You are ever so perceptive.”
“It is only so we do not waste any time,” the Dowager replied, her eagle eyes scanning the room for any familiar faces. “I want you find someone you have an actual interest in.”
“I do not think you will have much success in a venue such as this.”
“There is Lady Lancelot. I know she had a daughter of marriageable age as well. Come, let me introduce you to her.”
“Only just this once, mother,” the Duke reminded her. “I do not wish to be held up here for too long.”
Yet again, the cycle repeated where he was subject to a round of bland introductions. His initial idea about all people in high society had yet to be challenged as all the women he was being introduced to appeared to be the same person, just in slightly different costumes.
By the time his mother had introduced him to the fifth lady that night, he knew that he could not do this anymore without effectively losing his mind.
“I am sorry, mother, but I need a break,” he told her. “I admire your commitment to finding me the woman of my dreams, but I must step out to catch a breath of fresh air.”
