“I believe I am expected to dance with my sister for this set.” Hudson glared at Matt’s face. Then he refocused his attention on Graham. “Powis, welcome to London. Do let me know if you need advice from an honorable man.” With that parting shot, he stalked away.
Graham watched him go, then turned to Matt. “Good God, what was that about?”
“Hudson being Hudson,” Matt answered, draining half his champagne in one go. “The man holds grudges like a child collecting sweets. Don’t give it another thought. Come, let me introduce you to the others in our set.”
Before they could move, a shrill voice cut through their conversation. “Lord Powis!” A formidable woman in purple silk bore down on them, a simpering blonde daughter in tow. “Lady Pemberton. I simply must introduce you to my dear Clarissa.”
Not another one.
“Ah,” Matt murmured, “you can’t take a single step unnoticed by these vipers.”
Graham felt trapped as Lady Pemberton launched into a detailed recitation of her daughter’s accomplishments, which seemed to consist primarily of playing the pianoforte and speaking passable French. Clarissa giggled at inappropriate intervals and batted her eyelashes so frequently Graham wondered if she had something in her eye.
“Perhaps you might call on us tomorrow?” Lady Pembertonconcluded with obvious hope.
“I’m afraid I have pressing estate business,” Graham managed, praying that the excuse would free him from an afternoon in their company.
“Of course, of course. Such responsibilities you must have! Perhaps next week then?”
Matt stepped smoothly forward. “Lady Pemberton, you must excuse us. Lord Powis promised to accompany me to the smoking room to tell the men about his magnificent horses.”
“Oh.” Lady Pemberton’s face fell. “Of course. Just know that you can call on us anytime. Cook’s lemon cakes are the best you’ll ever taste.”
It wasn’t the first lemon cake he’d been offered that evening, and he could be certain it wasn’t the last.
Matt nodded to the woman and ushered Graham away. Once they had escaped, Graham sighed. “What would I do without you?”
“Don’t worry,” Matt said with a grin. “I’ve had years of practice dodging matchmaking mothers. Stay close to me and I’ll run interference. You can’t ever let them catch you alone.”
“Is this what every social event will be like?”
“Until you’re either married or deemed a disreputable rake, yes. Though I must say, watching you navigate the marriage mart is rather entertaining.”
“And what if I don’t aim for either?” Graham glanced around the ballroom, noting several other mothers eyeing him with predatory interest. “Perhaps we should find somewhere less conspicuous to stand. We seem to be more like sitting ducks.”
“This dance is ending, so I can introduce you to Elias and Hudson’s sisters and their friends.” Matt led him to where the men he’d just met had joined a group of beautiful women stood in animated conversation. “The first one there is Diana…Elias’s sister.”
Graham’s gaze found her immediately. Golden hair caught thelight from the candles, and her blue gown complemented her coloring perfectly. When she turned slightly, he caught her profile. She was breathtaking. It wasn’t just her heart-shaped face with deep dimples that made her beautiful, but the way she appeared determined when she spoke.
She was everything he was not—confident, clearly comfortable in this world he was still learning to navigate. And there was something about her that tightened his chest that was unlike anything he’d ever experienced.
“She’s…” He couldn’t finish the thought without sounding like a fool.
“Come,” Matt said. “I’ll make the introduction.”
They approached the group, and as they drew closer, she turned. Their eyes met, and something shifted inside Graham.
Her eyes were sapphire blue, and when she looked at him, it was with a kindness and curiosity that he didn’t dare look away from.
“Diana,” Matt said with obvious affection, “allow me to present the Earl of Powis. Powis, Lady Diana Armstrong.”
She curtsied gracefully, and when she rose, those sapphire eyes met his with warmth. “Lord Powis, what a pleasure to—”
“Oh how wonderful!” Another voice interrupted as a woman in emerald green swept toward them, a pale brown-haired daughter trailing eagerly behind. “Lord Powis! Lady Weatherby, and this is my darling Amelia. We simply must—”
“Lady Weatherby,” Diana said smoothly, stepping slightly closer to Graham, “how lovely to see you. My brother asked me to make sure Lord Powis attends him directly on a matter of importance.” She smiled apologetically. “Perhaps you might catch his lordship later in the evening?”
Lady Weatherby’s face fell, but she couldn’t argue with such polite deflection. “Of course, Lady Diana. We look forward to speaking with you, my lord.”
