“And yet, you have need of an heir.”
“The next person fool enough to offer that particular counsel will regret it.”
Nicholas chuckled. “Who else has so advised you?”
“Who has not?” the duke replied without interest. “I confess myself surprised that you fairly leapt at the chance to visit this establishment.”
Nicholas grinned. “I wish only to ensure that my dear sister has not intimidated yours.”
“Eliza is not readily daunted.”
“But Helena is a demon.”
Haynesdale stopped to look at him. “Then why did you encourage the arrangement? Have you no compassion for my sister?”
Nicholas feared that his friend might spot the truth. “I thought she might find Helena a finer match than my aunt, who seems convinced that only the equivalent of the Prince Regent himself will do.”
“Your sister cannot be that pretty.”
“Alas, she is a beauty, and I say that without prejudice.” Nicholas frowned as they reached the doors. “She is also possessed of an audacity that not all appreciate.”
Haynesdale chuckled. “She is willful is what you mean.” He sighed. “I yearn already for my library. Let us get this duty behind us.”
What duty? Nicholas had no opportunity to ask, for Haynesdale charged onward. He fairly snarled at the older woman at the door who might have protested his lack of breeches and Nicholas feared she might need her smelling salts as a result. By the time the lady in question recovered her tongue, Haynesdale was striding with purpose into the ballroom.
Helena was dancing, predictably, with a man in his thirties whom Nicholas did not know. That man looked rather unremarkable for Helena’s usual taste. Eliza stood watching them with some measure of approval, but Nicholas also noted the second young man avidly watching Helena from the far side of the room. His dissatisfaction was clear even at a distance. This young man was a dandy, to be sure, confident and richly dressed, younger than Helena’s partner. For some reason, Nicholas disliked him on sight.
Haynesdale had abandoned him, evidently intent upon speaking to someone at the other side of the room. Nicholas was content to take a stance beside Eliza. “Shall I fetch you a ratafia?” he asked in a low murmur and she cast him a welcome smile.
“I thank you, no.”
“You have found her a suitor already? My congratulations to you, Mrs. North, on such efficiency. Is he suitable?”
Eliza laughed lightly. “I have foisted Mr. Galveston upon her, but do not confess that truth to either of them.”
Nicholas studied the man in question with newfound interest. The man in question was younger than he might have expected and, while not handsome, he was not unattractive. He danced most attentively with Helena, who ignored him as much as she could manage. “He looks to be a respectable gentleman.”
“He is.”
“And five thousand pounds a year. Do you hope for more, Mrs. North?”
She cast him a sparkling glance. “You tease me, Captain Emerson. I find him to be admirable but not a man to claim my heart.”
“I thought your heart was in your husband’s possession.”
She flushed and seemed to be fixed upon the dancers. “Of course. I think he might suit Helena well, but I suspect she does not agree.”
Nicholas did not want to talk about his sister. “Perhaps she also waits for love.”
Eliza shook her head. “Perhaps.”
“I am curious, to be sure, Mrs. North. Can a person hope for two such loves in one lifetime or is one grand passion the sum of possibilities?”
“I believe it is uncommon to love twice with vigor.”
“Then you are doomed to be a chaperone?”
“Not necessarily.” She lifted her chin and smiled. “I will wed again if my heart is captured.” She slanted him a glance that was almost coy, though he guessed he saw more in her manner than was the truth.
