“How diplomatic of the man.” The duke read the note that Lucinda had left on the table. “His handwriting is passable, I suppose.”
“I doubt any of us are worried about his penmanship, dear.” His mother took the note off him and put it back on the table. “I am more worried about his lack of affection towards her. He is kind enough and easy to converse with, but he pays as much attention to Marianne as he does to Lucinda. I was not going to say anything and there was nothing wrong with paying Marianne attention too. It is just that he should be giving Lucinda his undivided interest. If I did not know better, I would say he was courting them both.”
Marianne blushed. “I have not given him any reason to, Mama.”
“Of course not, dear,” the duchess said, giving her daughter a hug. “You have been a wonderful friend and companion to Lucinda. I am just worried you have concentrated all your efforts on her and left no room for courting yourself.”
“No one has caught my eye or kept my interest, and I really just want to help her find the husband she deserves. I thought that was the earl but now I am not so sure.”
“Let us not dismiss the man for one small error. He is, remember, putting in a great deal of effort to paint her parents for her,” said the duke.
“And he has done an amazing job too. Once framed it will be something she will truly treasure even if she does not marry him.”
“Why would I not marry him?” Lucinda asked, coming up to the group. “When I think of all the kindness he has shown me, I cannot fault him for one mistake. He apologized and once my mother’s lock of hair is where it is meant to be I will put it behind me.” She handed the miniature of her mother to the duke. “Thank you. I know you will handle her with care.”
“I will indeed.” He took his leave of the room.
“I feel so much better now. I was worried that he may have lost it or thrown it away, but all is well. Thank you again, Tony, for going to retrieve it.”
“It was my pleasure.” He would be keeping a close eye on Dunstan from now on.
“May I go and have a rest before we go out tonight?”
“What a good idea,” the dowager said.
“I will come with you.” Marianne looped their arms together as they left the room.
“What is on tonight, Mother?”
“A small soiree at Lady Dewhurst’s. Ladies only so you will not be required to come along.”
“Sounds delightful. Please keep her in sight of you at all times, maybe not so much tonight but at any future balls.”
“You fear Dunstan will do something?”
“No, not him. However, he did confirm that news of her dowry had made the rounds. More unsuitable men may beg her acquaintance.”
“I will keep my wits about me at all times, my dear.”
“You are an angel, Mother. How would this family work without you?”
“I do my best, but Tony dear, are you sure there is no one for you out there?”
“Never fear, Mother. If I suddenly lose my wits and fall for a woman, you will be the first to know of it.”
“Then I hope you lose your wits for a nice girl, like Lucinda.” She did not wait for an answer, simply patted his cheek and left him there alone, her words echoing in his ears.A nice girl like Lucinda.
Lady Townsend’s ballwas much the same as the ball last night with all the same people. It bored him, but he wouldn’t miss a single night now that his suspicions were aroused. Dunstan was there, loitering on the edges. He danced once with the hostess, once with Lucinda, and once with Marianne, and once with the hostess’s daughter, if she had one. It was the same every time. His interest in Lucinda had also stayed the same. It was odd.
Watching Lord Fellowes dancing with Lucinda kept his attention. It was the older man’s first time back on the social scene after his wife had died, though he usually preferred to spend his nights at his club playing whist. So, Tony was surprised to see him here, let alone dancing with a young ladylike Lucinda. Was he looking for a young wife, perhaps? Or was it her dowry that had brought him out tonight?
A footman arrived at his side with a message. It was from Beckett. It simply said, “Meet me outside.” He let his mother know he would be stepping out for a few minutes. He met Beckett at the gates, and they walked around the corner and into a hack.
“Well, don’t ye look the tidy gentl’mn tonight.”
“You have seen me in evening wear before.”
“I s’pose I ’ave and in your sleep wear too.”
