“I think I may have heard it before,” she admitted. “I just cannot remember where.”
He regarded her a moment. “I have been away a long while. If it is familiarity from London, it must be old familiarity.”
“You spoke of the army last night.”
“I did.”
“Then perhaps from that.”
A faint pause followed. It was not enough to be awkward, but enough for Aurelia to notice.
“Perhaps,” he said.
But before she could consider the hesitation further, a servant passed with a tray, and she shifted her glass from one hand to the other. Around them the room was alive with low conversation and the irregular advance of music from the pianoforte. Their host had reached a passage he admired and everyone else endured. Clara was still at the window with Captain Harrow, and Aurelia was absurdly grateful for the sight of her there, because it made her own continued presence less strange.
The marquess glanced toward the instrument with tolerant resignation. “Does our host always assault his guests so musically?”
Aurelia smiled despite herself. “I have not known him long enough to say, but if this is his usual style, I begin to understand why dinner was so prolonged.”
“That was strategy, then.”
“Undoubtedly.”
“And what has been your opinion of the evening so far?” he asked. “Apart from the music, which is beyond defense.”
She considered, fighting the urge to chuckle. “It has improved in parts.”
“That is kinder than I should have been,” he nodded.
“You are less practiced in politeness.”
“No,” he said, “only less committed to it.”
She laughed softly that time. “I had not thought you so rebellious.”
“I am not rebellious,” he shrugged. “Merely tired at this point.”
“There seemed a good deal tonight capable of producing that state.”
His glance slid, with dry meaning, toward the cluster of young ladies from whom he had recently escaped.
Aurelia followed it. “Yes. I had noticed you were much pursued.”
“I am beginning to believe my mother considers me a public resource to be distributed for the good of others.”
“An uncharitable suspicion.”
“It is still an accurate one.”
“And are you very ungrateful for her efforts?” she asked playfully, incredulous that this man had such an effect on her.
“Profoundly.”
That answer came with such plainness that Aurelia could not hide her amusement.
“You should take care,” she pointed out. “If she hears you, she may redouble them.”
“You know, I think she will redouble them in any case,” he whispered, leaning in conspiratorially.
