A few moments later, Esmeralda smiled as she watched Lady Vera dancing with Mr. Trent.Serves her right,Esmeralda thought. Vera had been nice to her sister but only because she wanted to gain from it.
When she turned back to Griffin she saw two tall, handsome gentlemen walking up to greet him. One had an instant, exotic appeal, with wide dark eyes and black hair that almost touched his shoulders. Most Englishmen were much fairer. He had a lean stride to his step and a slight swagger to his shoulders. The other man was no less attractive, and maybe more so. His hair fell just below his collar. He’d been blessed with intriguing green eyes and more of the classic handsomeness of Griffin and Lord Henry.
Everything about the two projected power, privilege, and wealth. By the confidence in their expressions and the tilt of their heads, Esmeralda knew they had to be the other two-thirds of the “Rakes of St. James.” The three of them standing together made for a powerful, commanding trio of males.
“At last, my friends have decided to arrive at the ball,” Griffin said.
“We’ve been here,” the rake with the longer, darker hair said, trying not to be obvious that he was looking Esmeralda over.
“You couldn’t see us for the flock of people waiting to meet your sisters,” the other one added.
“You should have plowed your way through and joined me in my misery at having to do my brotherly duties.”
“It was more enjoyable just to watch you stand in one place for so long, hating every boring moment of it,” the light-haired gentleman said with a friendly smirk.
“Remember, it will be your turn next year, my friend, and you may need my help.”
“Don’t remind me,” he said on a hushed breath. “Let me enjoy this Season without thinking about the responsibility of seeing my sister wed in the next.”
“Rath, Hawk, may I introduce Miss Esmeralda Swift, the twins’ chaperone. Miss Swift, the Duke of Rathburne and the Duke of Hawksthorn.”
Esmeralda curtsied. “Your Graces.”
Her gaze strayed from one duke to the other, and subtle though it was, they were both looking her over carefully too. She had assumed she would meet the other two rakes tonight, and they had unquestionably measured up to her expectations.
“I was just talking with Miss Swift about the gentlemen the twins have met tonight. She had some insights that will be helpful. Have either of you heard anything?”
“Nothing helpful from me,” the Duke of Hawksthorn offered. “If anyone is planning anything dastardly, you are going to have a difficult time finding out who. Everyone’s quiet on the subject. But there’s plenty of time left in the Season.”
“I haven’t heard any talk worth mentioning either,” the Duke of Rathburne added, “However, just before coming here I heard that the first wager concerning the rumor has shown up on the books at White’s.”
Griffin grimaced. “I was hoping that wouldn’t happen.”
“We all were, but it’s not as bad as it could be,” he answered and glanced at Esmeralda again.
“Just tell me what it is.”
“What we expected. Whether or not either of the twins will be touched by scandal this Season.”
“And if so,” the other duke added, “will it only be one of them or both.”
Griffin looked at Esmeralda. Assuming that was her permission to speak she said, “I agree this doesn’t sound disastrous, Your Grace. The twins will probably get wind of this from one of the young ladies they’ve met tonight, but it will be easy enough to explain. Daughters of a duke can be set upon by envious people who feel justified in their meanness. Scandalous things like this are to be expected during the Season and can be upsetting, but aren’t usually lastingly harmful.”
“Well said, Miss Swift,” the Duke of Hawksthorn said. “I believe that too.”
The Duke of Rathburne turned to Esmeralda. “The musicians will be starting a new dance soon. Are you two dancing this set?”
“No, of course not,” Esmeralda said with a smile. It was an outlandish thing for him to ask. She took it as amusing that he would suggest Griffin do such a thing as dance with his sisters’ chaperone.
“Then I would like to dance with you, Miss Swift.”
There was a casual charm about the duke’s slight smile that was infectious. She returned his friendly manner and said, “Thank you, Your Grace, but I must decline. I’m not here to dance with anyone. Only to be available to Lady Sara and Lady Vera.”
“Nonsense.” His gaze held steady on hers. “A ball is for dancing. Being here as a chaperone doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself too.”
Esmeralda would have liked to glance at Griffin, but decided against it. She was afraid he might think she would be silently asking for his permission to join the daring duke. She didn’t want him to think that. “You’re quite right. I’m enjoying myself very much.”
“Good. Then it should continue. The twins are dancing right now. There’s no better place to keep an eye on them than from the dance floor.”
