“Of course you should have,” his brother insisted. “Your new position demands your attendance at such events.”
Which was part of the reason why he’d done his best to dissuade his uncle, the Duke of Redding, from petitioning the Crown and making him his heir. A title was the last thing Florian wanted.
Taking a sip of his drink, he tried to forget the dance he now had to endure. He glanced about, instinctively looking for Lady Juliette’s pretty face. The last time he’d seen her she’d seemed self-conscious and timid, which was likely to be expected considering all the challenges she’d faced. Enduring the aristocracy’s censure was difficult even for him.
The cotillion was announced sooner than Florian had expected and Florian glanced about. “I suppose I ought to find my dance partner.” He moved forward, weaving his way through the crowd in search of a woman whose appearance he could not recall.
“I think she’s over there,” Henry said, catching up with him.
“Which one is she?” He really should have paid more attention.
“The one with the lilac gloves.”
“Right.” Florian marched toward her and sketched a bow. “I believe our cotillion is about to begin.” She stared up at him and batted her lashes. Unimpressed, he offered her his arm and resolved to do his duty while cursing the fact that this awful evening was only the first of many.
“You seem distracted, my lord,” his dance partner said, scattering his most recent thought.
He made an effort to focus on her face and realized he didn’t even know her name. “I was just thinking of one of my patients,” he lied, because sharing his real contemplation was out of the question. “She came in this afternoon with a kidney stone, so—”
“Oh. I see. How delightful.”
Florian scowled. There was hardly anything delightful about it. But his remark had had the desired effect, dissuading his partner from saying anything else to him for the rest of the dance.
To his shock and dismay, he found himself more irritated about this than he’d been with her comment. It would be nice to meet a girl who didn’t cringe when he referenced his work. One who actually showed some interest?
But such rare creatures were apparently hard to come by. So far, the only one he knew was Viola Cartwright, the Dowager Duchess of Tremaine and St. Agatha Hospital’s patroness. He had great respect for her, not only as her employee, but because he admired the purpose with which she lived her life.
“You survived the dance,” Henry said, materializing by his side once more. This time, he’d brought the Duke and Duchess of Huntley with him.
“I’m as shocked as you are,” Florian muttered. Smoothing his features so as not to glare at the duchess, he executed his very best bow and shook hands with her husband.
“I take it you’re not fond of dancing,” the duchess said.
“No, but I was ambushed, so I was left with no choice.”
“You could have made an excuse,” Huntley said.
Florian met the other man’s gaze, aware he would likely have done precisely that if he’d been in Florian’s shoes. “Unfortunately I don’t have your advantage.”
“And what would that be?” Huntley asked with a tilt of his lips.
“To not give a damn about any of this.” Florian expelled a breath. “I grew up in Society. Expectations and proper manners were spoon-fed to me since infancy. So dismissing a lady isn’t something I can just do, no matter how much I might secretly want to.”
“Well, your sense of duty is certainly commendable,” the duchess said.
“He is the very epitome of what one might consider heroic,” Henry added wryly.
Florian glared at him. “Your sarcasm isn’t helping.” He glanced about. “Honestly, I find all of this so trivial. The expense is exorbitant! Just think of all the good we could have done if the money had gone to feeding the hungry or helping the ailing? I swear...”
“Well, in that case there is one advantage to gaining that title you’re so opposed to,” Henry said. His expression had sobered to an uncharacteristic degree of seriousness. “Once you inherit, you can spend your fortune on the causes that matter the most to you.”
A comforting thought to be sure and definitely one he’d already begun considering, but to say as much would not be well done since it did involve the death of his uncle. An event he did not look forward to in the least. So rather than comment, he decided to change the subject entirely, by asking Huntley the first thing that came to mind. “I don’t suppose your sisters are in attendance this evening, Your Grace?”
“Amelia won’t be venturing back into Society until she’s delivered her baby, but her husband is just over there.” Huntley nodded toward the other side of the room. “As for Juliette...” He glanced about. “I’m not sure where she’s gotten to.”
“Well, perhaps I should go and greet Coventry then.” Florian stepped back. “It’s been a while since I saw him last and I would like to know how his wife is faring.” He took his leave while his brother said something about heading off to the game room.
Following the periphery of the ballroom, Florian made his way toward a spot where he would be able to cross the floor without too many people blocking his way. But when he reached the French doors leading out to the terrace, he paused. All thought of reaching Coventry fled his mind the moment he spotted a lonely figure staring out at the garden below.
