“Thank you, Your Grace. Ertugrul and I arrived only just yesterday. As such, I fear His Eminence has not yet secured many dances for this evening.”
Ariley chuckled. “He has already claimed one with my duchess,” he said. “Not the supper dance, though. That’s mine,” he said as Helen gave him an appreciative glance.
“If you’ll excuse me, Your Grace, I will take my leave to seek dances with the wallflowers,” Ertugrul said as he bowed.
Ariley and the others bowed, grinning as they watched the sultan’s son make his way to the wall featuring a line of potted palms.
“That’s rather sporting of him,” Ariley said with a grin. “He even asked my permission to dance with my daughter.”
David inhaled softly, a streak of jealousy causing him to wince. He had to remind himself that Ertugrul had promised not to court Rose. “Which is why I seek your company on this evening, sir. I, too, wish to dance with Lady Rose. The supper dance, if you’ll allow it.”
Ariley regarded him with an assessing glance. “You are always welcome to dance with Rose,” he said. “I thought I had made that clear several years ago.”
His eyes widening at hearing the duke’s response, David said, “Thank you, sir. Since it’s been so long, I thought it best I ask again.”
“I understand you’ve become somewhat of an expert in the manufacture and installation of mosaics,” Helen said. “Are you available for a consultation with my decorator?”
David blinked. “Uh, of course, Your Grace. I would be happy to help. What are you wishing to have done?” he asked, thinking she might be after a small hunting scene in a vestibule or the billiards room.
“The floor in our Red Room,” she replied. “It’s our largest salon. I wish to change the name to the Greek Room, and I want it to be as if I was walking into the salon of a rich Greek merchant. An ancient one, of course. And there would be columns of deeply grained marble, and Grecian couches, and rich fabrics, and statuary. Lots of statuary.”
Noting the duke’s look of alarm at hearing his wife’s list of ideas, David said, “Of course, ma’am. I believe I can be of assistance. There are some sources for gorgeous mosaic tiles in north Africa. Very affordable.” He suppressed a grin when he noticed the duke’s look of relief.
“You are planning to attend our ball next week, are you not?” she asked. “We would be honored to have the emir attend as well.”
“Of course, Your Grace. My mother informed me of your ball when we returned to London yesterday. We would not miss it.” He noticed the music had ended and another dance was about to start. “Oh, forgive me. I have promised this dance to someone.”
“Enjoy your evening,” Ariley said, arching a brow. “I hear the gardens are especially lovely tonight.”
“I shall be sure to take a tour, Your Grace.” David bowed and backed away, relieved he hadn’t lost the good opinion of the Duke and Duchess of Ariley.
As for the suggestion he take a tour of the gardens, he was fairly sure the duke didn’t intend for him to tour them by himself.
So why did he think it would be difficult to escort a certain young lady among the early spring blooms?
