“I’m honored to make your acquaintance,” Maddy said while the girl curtseyed properly and murmured similar sentiments. She struck Maddy as genuine, lacking the sort of guile a girl brought up in the privileges of her grandfather’s ducal household might display. Of course, she also appeared very young, likely in her first season.
Glenmoor didn’t seem to notice Maddy’s examination of his ladylove. “May I say, Madelyn, your appearance is very fine this evening.”
“I might say the same about you, Phillip. The embroidery on that waistcoat is breathtaking.”
If the man preened a bit more than was seemly, she didn’t care. After a miserable childhood, Phillip Tavernash had come into his own and appeared on the brink of a brilliant match, one that promised love as well as connections.
They spoke a few more moments, long enough for Maddy to ascertain that Miss Garland was bright enough but not so much that it would be a problem with a man like Phillip. They walked away, wrapped up in each other’s presences.
She stood alone in the music salon, staring after them. Phillip and his lady, Rob and Lucy.Lovers abound lately. How is it possible I feel utterly alone even in company?
“Your Grace, is all well?” Colonel Morgan, more breathtaking in his simple black evening clothes than Phillip in all his finery, examined her with worried eyes. She drank in the sight of him, wondering how she could have missed him earlier.
“All is well,” she breathed, hoping her smile reassured him. And in that moment, she truly felt well.
“May I escort you to the refreshments?” His gaze softened and warmed.
She took his arm without answering and smiled back, the gleam in his eyes making her new gown feel like her wisest decision in many years. She could think of nothing she wanted more than his escort.Tomorrow I’ll worry about Phillip. I’m not alone, at least for tonight.
*
Brynn arrived atthe Danbury town house late to find people streaming out of the music salon, toward the dining area, where refreshments were being served. He made his apologies to his host, claiming press of business, which was not entirely a lie.
Over the heads of several well-dressed guests engaging in enthusiastic conversation about the concert they had just heard, he caught Benson’s eyes and nodded. “Later,” he mouthed, looking past him.
Benson led Lucy into the dining room, but Brynn didn’t follow. He wove his way past the press of happy people, wandering by instinct to the music salon, scanning the crowd for the one face he longed to see with every step.
Stragglers blocked the door, coming toward him. Last of all, he saw, to his surprise, the Duke of Glenmoor, a very lovely, very young lady on his arm. They murmured greetings and moved on, giving him a view of the almost empty room, where the duchess stood alone, watching her stepson depart. Her air of sadness twisted his gut.
He studied her face for signs that Glenmoor had distressed her, but when she saw Brynn, the corners of her mouth rose and her mood appeared to lift, allowing him to relax a bit.
“Your Grace, is all well?”
“All is well.” Her breathless voice warmed him, while her smile, tentative at first, grew in intensity until it filled the room with light and his heart with fire.
“May I escort you to the refreshments?”
She took his arm without answering, and he dared hope the glow he saw was a private sort of joy, one just for him.
He decided not to trouble her about Jessop. He needed to speak with Benson and probably Clarion first. Later. For now, he would simply enjoy her company.
Chapter Thirteen
The work ofParliament took place in the drawing rooms and ballrooms of London as often as it did on the floor of Commons or the halls of Lords. At least so Maddy might conclude after watching David and Danbury circulate among the gentlemen at the marchioness’s musicale interlude. Her brother’s political maneuvering kept her out later than she’d planned—though, if she were perfectly honest, Colonel Morgan’s company distracted her from the passage of time.
Ellen appeared just before dawn to remind the duchess she had requested an early departure. Maddy groaned. The evening had been a joy, but it had kept her up too late. She snuggled deeper into the covers. The temptation to postpone her trip called to her, urging her to savor the company of family and friends for a few days more. The conundrum of Gideon Jessop weighed on her conscience, however, as did Phillip Tavernash’s marital plans.
“Coffee, Your Grace, and a bit of toast. Cook asks if you wish something more substantial.” Ellen’s cheer grated so early in the morning.
“Coffee will do.” She sat up, ran fingers through her unruly hair, and leaned against the headboard to accept the cup of coffee. Gray light seeped through the window, and coherent thought flickered to life. The sooner she reached Ashmead and confirmed what she remembered, the sooner she could decide what to do about Jessop.
Sitting in her bed, sipping coffee and nibbling toast while Ellen finished packing, Maddy dreaded three days on the road and wished she shared the maid’s cheer. The girl had never been out of London, and her hopes for a more permanent position as a lady’s maid had been crushed the day before when Maddy had made it clear she neither needed nor wanted one. She gave the girl credit for not letting it impact her work.
“Shall I leave this one here? You told me not to pack your London clothes, but you looked ever so beautiful last e’en.” Ellen held up the green silk Maddy had laid over the back of a chair the night before.
She had planned to travel simply, with no maid and as little luggage as possible, but as she stared at the gown, the memory of Colonel Morgan’s admiring gaze warmed her belly. One new gown wouldn’t go amiss in Ashmead, nor would it take up much room.
“Pack it,” she said, finishing her light repast. “Then help me dress.” She leapt out of bed, determined to get moving and put the Jessop business behind her. She began brushing her hair, causing the little maid to finish packing in a rush to take over.
