Deena wove through the ladies in pastel muslins, and gentlemen in riding coats. Everyone chattered excitedly about the next game, but she was too busy scanning the crowd for a familiar face.
Where is he?
Selina and Dominic had gifted Deena a dress for the late afternoon game. It was a light pink chiffon gown, with a beaded bodice and soft sleeves that fluttered in the wind like butterflies. Deena felt beautiful in it. She rarely admired herself, but when she caught her reflection, she was quite pleased.
“Lady Deena,” The strikingly beautiful woman who sat with Austin during the Gallop called out to her. Deena saw her at many of the games during the Hunt, but she still tried and failed to remember her name. “I’ve been wanting to meet you from the very beginning of the Hunt.”
“I apologize,” Deena said slowly, “but I seem to have forgotten your name.”
“Oh! I should have introduced myself first. I am Miss Waldron.” Her eyes sparkled. “I’m Christine’s best friend.”
“Ah! Yes, Selina’s sister,” Deena beamed at her. “You are so beautiful!”
“I was going to say the exact same to you! Your dress is gorgeous.” Miss Waldron surveyed her dress and nodded with approval.
“Thank you, and so is yours. Emerald looks good on you.”
“I’ve taken care not to outshine the regulars.” She motioned towards Lady Amelia and Lady Ann. Deena snorted at her comment. “I have only heard about you through Christine. She sends her regards and apologies for not being here to witness this circus in person.”
Deena immediately decided that they would be friends.
“Christine sounds like a wonderful person; I have not met her yet, but hopefully we will all be seeing more of each other.”
“Not with that wolfy duke sniffing around her all the time,” Miss Waldron said casually.
Deena eyed her, and the girls studied each other before they fell into a fit of laughter.
“Is he truly like a wolf?” Deena asked curiously, tilting her head just slightly towards the sound of Austin’s voice. He was laughing easily nearby, but she still had not found him.
“Do you mean if he’s always circling the wrong people? All I can say is… that’s the reputation he’s earned.”
Deena’s brows lifted. “And yet…?”
“And yet,” Miss Waldron continued, lowering her voice with a conspiratorial smile, “the moment he met my friend Christine, the infamous Wolf Duke turned into the most besotted puppy you’ve ever seen. One look at her, and the man was done for. Tail wagging, ears perked, the whole ridiculous business.”
Deena’s heart gave a quiet, unexpected squeeze of warmth. “You truly care for her.”
Like I care for Penelope.
“I do.” Miss Waldron’s tone softened, the sharpness giving way to something gentler. “After what her brother put her and Selina through, Christine deserves the world. And for once, theton’smost notorious duke seems determined to give it to her.”
“Oh, trust me, he’s not themostnotorious.”
“You know of another?” Miss Waldron raised her brow.
Deena glanced around again and finally spotted Austin. Her stomach lurched when she saw Lady Ann giggling delightfully with him.
“I know of many,” she whispered back, and Miss Waldron chuckled.
“Maybe they are all rakes and undeserving of us.”
“That makes more sense,” Deena agreed. “Although I completely understand how a man can change his ways for a woman. I’ve seen it with my own brother.”
“So, you’re saying there is hope for us.”
“Yes, trust me. Love does strange things to people.”
Miss Waldron laughed under her breath. “It does. And thank God for that. Without it, half the rakes in London would still be prowling.”
