Frances swallowed thickly and pointed in front of her. This was the last person she had expected to run into here.
The man was tall and imposing, his dark suit impeccably tailored, setting off his broad shoulders and confident stance. His deep blue eyes scanned the room, and Frances wondered whether she should hide. It was Christopher.
She leaned close to Esther. “Who is that?”
Of course, she very well knew who it was. But what was his connection to Esther?
Esther followed her gaze, and her lips curled into a small smile. “That’s Christopher Grant, the Duke of Huntington. I believe you’ve met him before, though it was quite some time ago. He’s been away for a while, taking care of family matters.”
Frances’s eyes widened. “Are you sure of that?”
“Of what?” Esther looked at her sister with a strange expression.
“Of us meeting.”
Frances’s heart was fluttering in her chest. There was no way—could it be that Christopher had already told people about her visit? It would not bode well for her reputation if it were discovered that she had visited a gentleman in his manor,unchaperoned.
“Of course, you have. Though, this was some years ago. I introduced both of you at the ball. It was quite a brief interaction—maybe that is why you do not remember.”
And suddenly, Frances’s memory was jogged. She remembered now. “That was the Duke of Huntington?”
“Why, yes. I introduced him with his name, not his title. Perhaps that is why you have such a difficult time remembering.”
Frances felt her palms grow sweatier by the second. “Ah, yes, Christopher. He seems… different.”
“Different good or different bad?” Esther teased lightly, observing her sister with curiosity.
“Different,” Frances replied, stealing another glance at him. He was speaking to some of the ladies now, engrossed in some conversation.
Esther’s expression softened. “He does, doesn’t he? Christopher has had his share of challenges. After his brother’s tragic accident, he took in his twin nephews. He’s been dedicated to them completely, barely seen in Society until recently.”
Frances tried her hardest to play aloof. She did not want her sister to know that she knew of the accident already and that she had an important connection to the twins.
No one in her family knew of the extent of her friendship with Lydia. Lydia was only supposed to be her maid, and nothing else. While it was normal for a lady to have some sort of a relationship with her lady’s maid, it was unheard of for someone to go to the extent that Frances did to help her lady’s maid.
“Do you think…” Frances paused. “Do you think he can take care of them on his own?”
Esther furrowed her brow. “Who is to say? It is surely a huge responsibility for anyone. But knowing Christopher, he will figure it out.”
Frances was surprised by how highly her sister seemed to be speaking of him. Her curiosity was piqued, and she could not help herself.
“Do you know if there is anyone in his life? Someone that could, perhaps, help him out?”
“You mean to look after the children?” Esther raised an eyebrow. “He’s here tonight, I think, to finally step back into the world—perhaps even look for a governess or some help.”
Frances was about to press for more details when Esther was called over by another set of guests who had just arrived.
“Excuse me, dear. Make yourself comfortable please, and I shall join you soon.”
With Esther now gone, Frances felt on edge again. She kept glancing over at Christopher, and then finally, he looked back at her.
* * *
“Oh, I am not sure if you’ll be able to find someone competent in such a short time period.” Lady Malboro shook her head in front of a disappointed Christopher.
“I am willing to pay whatever price.”
“I am sure of it. But a good governess remains loyal to the family she serves. There is a chance you can find one in other parts of the country, but it will take a few months at least.”
