One final turn in the dance brought Christopher and Alaina face-to-face. Christopher met her eyes, seeing a shift in their dark depths, one that did not speak of anger, and he was left with a sense of wonder. But just as quickly, she glanced away, and he lost the window to her soul, leaving him with a sense of disappointment. Never had he felt the need or desire to see what thoughts lay beyond a lady’s eyes until he had laid eyes upon Lady Alaina.
Well, this would certainly not do. Time to keep himself focused on the task at hand, finding his best friend a good match. It would be better if anger had remained in the place of whatever else he had just felt.Christopher mentally shook himself from his reverie and made the gracious step forward to receive Alaina and see her back to her mother. It was time to make an exit.
A jostle in the carriage brought Christopher back around to the conversation at hand.
“It seems that you did not need an escape after all, my friend,” Graham commented, earning only a non-committal grunt from Christopher.
“Well, what do you think?” Graham seemed to be on edge, regarding his friend with an intense stare. Christopher had never seen him in such a fervor over a lady. Lady Alaina must have made quite an impression.
They were headed to White’s, their favored gentlemen’s club, for the rest of the evening. Graham, having apparently found the only young lady he was going to pursue, at least at this point in the season, orchestrated a quick exit from the ball, much to Christopher’s delight.
“Well?” Graham asked once more, Christopher’s rumination having kept him from answering in a timely manner.
“I must admit she is beautiful,” Christopher said. “But…”
“I was expecting that,” Graham interjected, a flippant quality to his voice. “And that is why I just have to bring you along.”
Christopher rolled his eyes. “But you barely know her! Do you even know anything about her family? I have heard nothing of them. And besides, she was very uncouth.”
“Uncouth how?” the duke chuckled, doubtful of his friend’s assessment.
“Well, if you must know, she made mention of my eye,” Christopher admitted, feeling foolish even as he said the words.
A barking laugh escaped Graham. “And here I thought the eye would keep the ladies from talking to you at all. Turns out it was a conversation starter.”
“Stop making light,” Christopher stated. “I know she was all smiles and laughter with you, but she was quite cross with me.”
“And I am sure it had nothing to do with your behavior?”
Christopher was quiet at that.
“I suspect her anger may have been provoked,” Graham continued through the silence. “Well, you have never had my charm.”
Christopher felt sufficiently needled, and attempted to change the subject. “But you still do not know much of her family.”
Graham shrugged. “Not hearing about someone prior to the social season is usually a mark in their favor.”
Nothing more was said between the gentlemen. Christopher deemed his friend impervious to advice, no matter what he claimed, once he set his mind on something; this seemed to be one such case. Maybe it would get Christopher out of any more social outings this season.
The carriage stopped outside of their club, and both Christopher and Graham hopped down, carrying their hats casually. As they entered the front door, they were met with another din of noise, one not so different from the ball in volume, but certainly different in character. The club was loud, filled with smoke and the smell of whiskey – an atmosphere ripe for the debauchery of the late hour.
Usually, Christopher found this type of scene calming and comfortable. With the type of crazed activity occurring, he could simply fade into the background and be left to his thoughts. He had never been one to have difficulty tuning out the world around him, that was, as long as it did not involve him directly. This evening, however, the sense of familiarity and calm was elusive. He could not help but think of a pair of brown eyes dancing with amusement in the candlelight, luminous skin showing a hint of rising color as she talked, the quiet strains of a waltz playing in the background, while a certain young lady danced around the room, smiling up at…his friend.
Christopher shook himself, this time adding a physical flourish, to change the track of his mind. It would not do to be distracted by the lady’s beauty; Graham had brought him along to determine her character, and the suitability of her family.
“Shall we head to the back, possibly find a quieter corner?” Christopher suggested. The duke could only nod his assent, since the noise in the room was enough for Christopher to have to yell, and still barely be heard.
As the two moved through a series of rooms, each with shelves of books, some with gaming tables, and some with groups of women entertaining gentlemen with laughs and more, they slowly made their way toward the back of the club. Finally, they were able to find a room, smaller than the rest, at the far corner of the building, only half-filled with people and smoke. It was quiet enough to hear a companion talk.
Christopher and Graham took seats by a window overlooking the back alley and motioned to the nearest server for two drinks.
“I have another favor to ask of you,” Graham started, as two cut crystal glasses were put on the table. Christopher assumed the brown liquid sloshing in each was brandy, and was happy when a decanter of the same was placed on the table.
Taking a sip of the liquid and finding it to be his preferred drink, Christopher sat back and warily eyed his friend. “The last time you asked a favor, I was embarrassed to be the fifth wheel in your matchmaking scheme, which you were sure would require my assistance. During the course of the evening, I determined you need no such help.”
“I most certainly do. You are my voice of reason! Look what happened last season with Lady Bella.”
“You mean when you dragged me about with the same purpose as this season, and then refused to listen when I told you Lady Bella was merely feigning interest in order to make the true object of her affections jealous enough to propose? Ah, yes, I can see how I am your source of reason.”
