He nodded assent and they made their way through the maze of tables to her brother and his wife, who were garbed in eighteenth-century splendor with garments that might have come from trunks in the Lawrence attic.
Geoffrey, Earl Lawrence and head of the family, was old enough to be her father, with silver showing in his blond hair, but he’d doted on his baby sister, and vice versa. He rose and gave her a hug. “We haven’t seen enough of you since your return, Diana!”
Releasing her, he turned and offered his hand to Anthony. “Good to see you, Castleton. Did you know that in some circles you’re known as the Disappearing Duke because of your reluctance to attend social events?”
Anthony laughed, no sign of his earlier tension visible. This could be just another evening, except that it wasn’t. “I was lured by the anonymity of a masquerade, then enchanted by the dancing of the two Lovely Lawrences. Shall we forage food for Lady Lawrence and Lady Diana?”
“Didn’t the girls do a splendid job with that dance? My Rory knows how to throw a memorable ball!” Geoffrey said proudly.
As the men headed toward the buffet tables, Diana’s sister-in-law Sylvia rose to give another hug, somewhat constrained by the size of her hoop skirt. “You and Rory were marvelous! I am beginning to see the value of travel to distant places.”
Diana laughed as she seated herself by Sylvia. “Advantages and discomforts twined together. The dance would have been even better if our niece Constance was here. Then we’d have had all six arms for our goddess.”
“I should like to see that someday.” Sylvia signaled to a passing footman who carried a tray of champagne flutes, and secured four glasses for their table.
When they both had champagne, Sylvia clinked her glass against Diana’s. “To happy reunions!”
Diana clinked back, wondering if the toast would bring about future meetings with Anthony. Not likely. “It’s been so wonderful to see family and old friends. Perhaps I should have come back sooner!”
Sylvia’s voice lowered mischievously. “You work quickly. Congratulations on securing the attention of Castleton, the most eligible and elusive bachelor in the British empire.”
Diana’s throat seemed to close. After a swallow of champagne, she was able to say lightly, “He was just intrigued by our dancing. After the unmasking, we realized we’d met in passing before I went on my travels, when he was the Marquess of Stoneleigh. He’s a pleasant young man, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he’s more relaxed since his father died.” Sylvia’s voice lowered. “One shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, but the old duke was one of the meanest men in England. He loathed Geoffrey for some reason, possibly because Geoffrey is well liked while the late Castleton was generally despised. And they never agreed on anything political.”
Diana grimaced. “I met the old duke once. He radiated malice. I could barely stand to be in the same room with him. Stoneleigh seems very different.”
“Luckily he takes after his mother. The late duchess was a lovely woman who died too young. We made our come-out the same year,” Sylvia said nostalgically. “I don’t know young Castleton well because he seldom comes to social events. He’s said to have an aversion to fortune hunters, and one can hardly blame him.” Sylvia gave her sister-in-law a curious glance. “He seemed interested in you.”
“No matchmaking!” Diana ordered. “If he shows interest in me, it’s thanks to my Hindu dancing and perhaps the fact that I’m an older woman and he’s safe from my wiles. If he’s interested in securing a wife, he could be quietly courting a suitable one out of sight of theton.”
“That does sound like what he’d do,” Sylvia admitted. “But if so, I’ve not heard any rumors.”
“He’s young yet. I suspect he isn’t ready to find a wife and contents himself with ravishing mistresses.”
“I suppose you’re right, but it seems such a waste.” Sylvia’s gaze went to the men, who were returning with plates laden with delicacies. “I wouldn’t have minded having him for one of my girls, but Rory was the only one the right age and they had no interest in each other. No doubt that’s for the best. Gabriel seems to have settled her nicely.”
“That’s because he and Rory are perfect for each other,” Diana said. “And why matchmaking is such a frustrating business. A mother concerned to settle her daughter well will say, ‘Let me introduce you to that duke, who is a perfect gentleman and known for his admirable character.’ Meanwhile, her daughter is looking out the window and saying, ‘Mama, there’s the most delicious blockade-runner outside. I must have him!’ ”
Sylvia was laughing as the two men set plates heaping with delicious food on the table. Lobster patties, delicate pastries with sweet or savory fillings, small meatballs made of lamb, and a dozen other things.
Geoffrey asked, “Is the joke worth sharing, my dear?”
“We were just talking about the frustration of matchmaking,” his wife explained. “Which is why I’ve given it up.”
“You gave up serious matchmaking because all of our children have married,” her husband said as he sampled a meatball. “But you still get a gleam in your eyes when you see someone who is single and in need of a mate.”
Anthony said dourly, “May we have a change of topic? I feel like a goose in the kitchen having to listen to various recipes for cooking geese.”
The others laughed and the conversation moved to less personal topics. Food was eaten, wine was consumed, opinions were offered, gossip was exchanged, and it was altogether an enjoyable supper. Hard to believe what fierce emotions had flared when Diana and Anthony had first unmasked each other.
Diana was relieved when Anthony stood and excused himself early, saying he must leave. He gave the same pleasant smile to everyone at their table with no special attention to her. Obviously he’d recovered from the shock of seeing her unexpectedly and had no interest in renewing their acquaintance. That was a relief. Really, it was.
Yet her gaze followed him to the door of the supper room, where he met a tall, striking woman dressed as a Spanish bandit queen. She linked her arm with his in easy intimacy. He smiled at her warmly as they left the room. Perhaps he really was quietly courting someone. The tall woman looked like the right kind of female for him.
Not that it was any of Diana’s business....
Chapter 6
