Chapter 16
...needed in Aylesbury, yet I linger here in Edinburgh and have to wonder for what purpose?Moira is safely wed, and my business here is long done.There is nothing to be gained by remaining when my attention would be best placed elsewhere.
In any case, I rather suppose it would be best to leave before I either make an utter fool of myself or end up staring down the barrel of a gun.And so it shall be.Expect me soon.I am resolved to return to my duties posthaste.
But I do wonder, my dear, have you ever known someone with a smile so terribly engaging that you felt you had no choice but to smile in return?
~From the correspondence of the Marquis of Aylesbury—Mar 1893
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“Lady Onslow,” Aylesburycalled, scooping the lady’s fan from the floor where it fell.“Your fan, my lady.”
The lady turned with a frown, searching her reticule before offering a smile as he held out the feathered fan to her.“Thank you, dear boy!I would have hated to lose it.It is quite my favorite.”
“I am at your service.”He paused briefly before adding, “And might I again offer my apologies for my inexcusable behavior at your ball last week?”
The matronly woman patted his arm.“No need for another apology, my lord.The flowers and note you sent around the next morning were more than enough.However, in your—how shall I put it?—rush to depart our little gathering, you did forget to dance with my daughter,” Lady Onslow added without even attempting to disguise the reprimand in a hint.“It was her debut, you know.”
Turning to the young miss Lady Onslow was tugging forward, he offered a short bow.“My apologies Lady Sybill.I hope you will do me the honor tonight?”
“I would be glad to, Lord Aylesbury,” the fresh-faced debutante rushed to assure him.“I have the supper dance available.”
Lady Onslow gave her daughter a nod of approval then turned to him expectantly.It was a move well played by Lady Sybill, neatly trapping him into not only a dance but dinner as well.But while Lady Sybill was a lovely girl with soft blue eyes and dark hair, she did not tempt him as much as another brunette he knew.
“I would be happy to attend you,” he murmured with Lady Onslow looking on as if she were a cat who had guzzled an entire bowl of rich cream.
Achingly familiar laughter drew his attention and Aylesbury turned from the ladies, wondering who provoked that rich outburst.
Connor.At least there was that to be thankful for, that it was her brother rather than another beau, like Lord Temple, who roused her spirits.But even if it had been, the mere sight of Fiona amidst that burst of humor was enough to lift his as well.Despite the fact that he seemed to be taking two steps backward for every step he gained forward where she was concerned.
“They do rather make one want to grimace, do they not, my lord?”Lady Onslow commented under her breath, mistaking his sigh for one of impatience.
“Not at all,” Aylesbury disagreed.“I find their unfettered enthusiasm rather refreshing.”
Fiona had never been given to polite social tittering.She did not giggle or simper.When she laughed, she did so with her entire being, from deep within.That boisterousness was uncommonly becoming.Now, tucking an errant strand of hair behind her ear, she tossed her head with a wide, toothy grin as she laughed.Her eyes narrowed, crinkling at the corners.The apples of her prominent cheeks bloomed with becoming color and those long dimples cut deeply.
