But this wasn’t pride. This was…bootlicking. And his stomach turned at it.
“It was a great pleasure to meet you, my lord,” Nicholas said with a deferential nod. “However, I think I ought to…”
“Check on that rascal of a brother of yours?” the viscount said with a chuckle. “Best do it or he might find himself on the outs with his duchess.” He motioned to the dancefloor, and Nicholas turned.
Robert was dancing with Aurora. His brother guided her around the dancefloor and they were obviously having an animated and pleasant conversation.
“Why should Roseford not dance with one of his guests?” he asked, mesmerized by how right this image was.
He felt no jealousy that Aurora danced with Robert. His brother’s reputation was an old one. He clearly loved Katherine. Nicholas was actually very pleased with the fact that Robert would give Aurora some of his shine when she needed it by sharing the floor with her. It made him soften toward his brother in a way he hadn’t allowed before.
“Thatguest?” the viscount said with a shake of his head. “I mean, you must have heard the rumors about what Lady Lovell was doing and where not so long ago.”
Nicholas jerked his head toward the man, but the viscount continued, apparently oblivious to the peril of those cold, cruel words. “It’s positively scandalous.Whyshe would be invited here amongst good company does beg the question: is your brother as tame as he has pretended to be these last few years?”
Rage rolled up in Nicholas. The kind that made everything red and raw around him. The kind that made him dangerous, despite his injuries and the future he was trying to build. It took every bit of his control to stop himself from swinging on this man. Instead, he gritted his teeth together and said, “I would not disparage the lady, my lord. That isn’t a good idea.”
The viscount’s gaze lit up in surprise and then he grinned. “Oh, I see. Were you one of thelady’sfriends at the bawdy house? Honestly, Gillingham, you ought to be careful about where you’re seen. You will soon be able to afford far better brothels and hells than that sad place.”
Nicholas edged up closer and now he towered above the man. “I will not say it again, my lord. Shut your mouth when it comes to Lady Lovell.”
His companion’s expression flickered with real fear and then his gaze narrowed. “Watch yourself, boy,” he said softly. “You can threaten with all the base physical strength that you wish to, but I’m the one with real power.”
He said nothing else, but turned on his heel and marched off into the crowd. Nicholas flexed his hands in and out of fists at his side as he tried to calm the raging beat of his heart. So much for making a good impression. He was certain Robert would be annoyed.
And yet, despite that, Nicholas found he didn’t give a damn. He could have just made some dismissive remark regarding Aurora and pushed the subject off, implying agreement when he certainly didn’t agree.
But he hadn’t. Even if he didn’t understand her reasons for going to the Cat’s Companion, he would never disparage her for them. So he’d remained true to his own values. His own heart. He hadn’t traded it for the title. “I think I can live with myself for that,” he muttered.
He watched as Aurora gave a playful curtsey to Robert as the song ended. They were laughing as they left the floor and joined Katherine and the Duchess of Northfield.
At least Aurora didn’t know that someone had spoken of her in such an ungentlemanly way. But then again, perhaps she did. She’d come to the countryside to be sheltered by the friendships Katherine offered her access to. The rumors were why she’d been driven away from London.
She’d always been such a sensitive person. She’d cried over broken wings and sentimental sonatas and letters from friends. He’d always loved that about her, that so much moved her so deeply. And he hated that right now she had to be in so much pain over what was being whispered about her.
As the next song began, Robert leaned close to say something to Katherine. She laughed and the two swept off to the dancefloor together. The Duchess of Northfield touched Aurora’s arm, smiling before she, too, glided off to find her husband across the room.
Aurora’s expression fell as she was left alone. Her head dipped slightly and he could almost hear the tiny sigh that was surely leaving her lips right now. He found himself moving, though he didn’t remember deciding to do so. About halfway across the room, she looked up and saw him. Her chocolate eyes widened, her spine straightened and her hands shook as he reached her.
“Good evening, my lady,” he said.
She swallowed, the action working her lovely throat. How he wanted to feel her do that beneath his lips. “Good evening again,” she gasped out. They stood together for a moment, watching the couples bounce in a lively scotch reel. “Are you enjoying yourself tonight?”
His mind went to the viscount who now stood on the other side of the room, talking to some other titled fop. The two men cast their gazes toward him and Aurora, and he had the strongest urge to put himself in front of her as a barrier to their stares.
“It’s tolerable,” he said softly.
She smiled up at him. “Tolerable? Oh, do wax poetic, Mr. Gillingham.”
He couldn’t help but laugh at her teasing, and for a moment the tension of the night bled away a fraction. “I admit, I’m not accustomed to such gatherings,” he said. “Obviously I attended assemblies and the like, but this is different. There are so many people who could be…I suppose they could beimportantto my future.”
She nodded solemnly. “Yes. I assume that was the purpose of the ball, to introduce you to some of that Society.”
“Yes.” He sighed. “I’ve probably made a muck of it.”
She pivoted and now all her focused attention was on him. “How so?”
He could scarcely breathe as he stared down at her, all earnest questions and sweet floral perfume. Good God, but time had been kind to her. And he longed for her just as he’d always longed for her.
