A bump against her shoulder had her turning to find Teddy, who raised one eyebrow. “What are you laughing at? Is it a painting flaw Amelia pointed out?”
He had Lady Elsbeth on his arm, who seemed perfectly happy to be there. She hoped that their affection would continue. She liked all the Huntingtons now, which was quite a revelation. “I was laughing at a list of tasks Lord Northwick would like me to accomplish, but I think I will be the captain of my own ship.”
Teddy smirked. “I’m surprised he’d even attempt any suggestions.” He faced the duke. “My cousin charts her own course in all things.”
“So I’m learning.”
“Cousin?” Lady Elsbeth looked pointedly at Northwick as she gestured with her free hand to her right. “If you need a task, I think Lady Caroline would like a reprieve from Mother.”
James’ head jerked as if he’d forgotten about the lovely Caroline. “You are quite correct. If you will excuse me.”
Lady Elsbeth lowered her voice as he strode off. “I believe my cousin is going to be talking to Lady Caroline’s father any day now. He’s been calling on them regularly, and we all attended the opera in their box two evenings ago.”
Teddy opened his mouth to comment, and Joanna frowned at him, speaking before he could voice his opinion. “They do make a fine couple.”
“I know, but she’s so…uninteresting.” Lady Elsbeth pouted as well as any young lady who was already out this season.
She stifled a chuckle. “Perhaps it is just that what interests her, does not interest you.”
Teddy patted Elsbeth’s hand on his arm. “I will be happy to interest you. What would you like to discuss? Shall I tell you of the time I bested Joanna in a sword fight? I was the knight, of course, and she the terrible dragon.”
Lady Elsbeth raised her brows as Teddy started to lead her away. “Dragons can use swords?”
Joanna smiled at the memory. They had all been so young then. Sometimes Teddy still seemed so, though he was but two years younger than she. Her eyes scanned those strolling around the panorama, and she found James with his aunt now. Maybe Teddy simply appeared young because she’d spent much time of late in James’ company. She estimated his age at about a score and ten. That was far older than her dear Teddy.
“Excuse me, Lady Joanna?”
At the sound of the cultured voice, she turned to find Lady Caroline. “Oh, Lady Caroline. I did not have a chance to greet you properly. Lady Astor whisked me away so quickly. How do you fair?”
Lady Caroline did not smile. “I wish a word with you.”
Confused, she nodded. “Of course. Can I help you with something?”
“Yes. It would be a great help if you would stop fluttering after Lord Northwick.”
She started to laugh but quickly coughed. “Flutter after the duke?” The woman must be jesting.
But there was no smile on Lady Caroline’s face. In fact, she had abandoned her usually serene countenance for something much more shrewish. It definitely did not become her.
“It is rather obvious that you wish the duke’s attentions. You happen to be at almost every event he attends. You talk endlessly with him, and you take every opportunity to smile at him. It is clear that you are infatuated with him. You must know that he has absolutely no interest in you. His attentions are elsewhere. You have no hope of stealing the duke away.”
Joanna wasn’t sure whether to be affronted or simply laugh at the woman. She chose another route for her response. “Lady Caroline, I have no such intentions with the duke. I think you see something that simply does not exist.”
The lady tucked a stray blonde hair back behind her ear. “No, I’m quite confident in my observations, not only from seeing you with the duke, but from his talk of you. You are clearly smitten. I’m merely suggesting that you refrain from further interaction.” Lady Caroline smiled sadly, even as she set her hand to her chest. “I would spare you any heartbreak. He is not interested in having a bluestocking as his duchess. I do hope you understand.”
Her patience with the lady’s faulty logic ended. “I don’t know how to be more forthright about this. I have absolutely no interest in the Duke of Northwick.”
Lady Caroline shook her head. “I think you may believe that. I suggest some self-observation and perhaps a week or so out of society. For someone who is so well read, it truly is surprising that you are so unaware of your own actions. All I can do is alert you that your affections for the duke have been noticed and not appreciated. Trust me, it would be better for you to lower your husbandly expectations.”
She scowled at the lady, her muscles tensing as she tried to remain still. “My expectations, or lack thereof, are irrelevant. I have no wish to be tied to the duke or any other gentleman.”
“Of course. Believe of yourself what you will. I have done all I can.” With those final words, the woman gracefully twirled and strolled toward the duke and his aunt, who had turned to watch the conversation.
Despite being under observation, she fisted her hands within the folds of her dress. Until now, she’d thought Lady Caroline uninteresting at best and insipid at the worst, but it appeared there was an intelligent mind beneath the surface that was wholly limited by her upbringing. That the chit couldn’t imagine a reason for conversation or smiling beyond courting was astounding, aggravating, insulting, and infuriating!
No, she needed to rethink that in alphabetical order to calm down, especially because she stood in such a public setting, and Teddy’s courting depended on her behavior. That Lady Caroline could think no further than courtship was aggravating, astounding, infuriating, and insulting. There. That was much better. Taking a deep breath, she forced her lips into a pleasant smile and uncurled her hands. Spotting her mother and Mariel, she walked briskly toward them, purposefully avoiding looking at James’ party.
“There you are, Joanna.” Her mother held out her hand. “Is this not the most beautiful panorama yet?”
