What followed was one of the most awkward dances of his life. His relief when the music halted was profound.
“Thank you for the dance. I shall return you to your mother,” he said, his tone clipped.
“If I have offended you in any way, please excuse me, Lord Talbot.” Lady Alice’s words were a little desperate now. “I was simply telling you that your standing, and that of your family’s, even considering who your sister married, is?—”
“Lady Alice, I suggest you do not speak again, as so far you have insulted Miss Wilson, who is a family friend, and now my sister and brother-in-law,” Ambrose said. He then left her with her mother and walked away.
He’d known, of course, that Tilly was not popular, but he hadn’t understood that she in fact may have been on the receiving end of such insults from people like Lady Alice. He’d been accepted due to his parents and title, as had his sisters, but who had Tilly’s back? Her parents, yes, but they were most often off playing cards or spending time with their friends.
It shamed him that he’d never really given her plight much thought.
Ambrose shot a final look at the dance floor and saw Tilly was now standing beside it, talking to Howard and smiling. He walked away and kept walking until he reached the refreshment table. Howard was no good for Tilly. She needed a strong man. Someone she could not control. He picked up a patty from the platter before him, bit into it, and immediately shuddered. He loathed crab.
“Problem?”
“Good evening, Leo. Where is your long-suffering wife?”
“Speaking with Mrs. Alderberry and her sister, Miss Lang,” he said. “They are discussing fashion, and I had no wish to join the conversation, which I’m sure you’ll understand.”
Ambrose shuddered. Fashion was something constantly discussed in his father’s household.
“Is that crab or beef?” Leo asked him.
“Crab.”
“Wonderful.” He then swallowed a patty in two bites.
Ambrose chose a small sandwich.
“Now that could be a good match,” Leo said.
Following his gaze, Ambrose noted Tilly standing with Mr. Howard.
“He would be a good, steady husband for her,” the man continued when Ambrose remained silent.
“I don’t know anything about him. Howard and I are not friends,” Ambrose said, hoping to put an end to the conversation. Leo and the others had seen Howard and Tilly talking this one night, and suddenly they were the perfect match?
“Nice enough fellow, if a little boring at times. But well educated. Comes from a good family,” Leo added.
“The decision will be Tilly’s,” Ambrose said with a calm he was far from feeling.
The thought of Tilly married made him want to punch someone.
She laughed at something Howard said. A real laugh, not a society titter. Howard was smiling back at her.
“What’s wrong with you?” Leo demanded. “Crab patty not sitting well?”
“Yes, excuse me, will you, Leo?” Ambrose left the gathering after telling his family he was departing.
Stepping outside the front door minutes later, he stomped off down the street.
What the hell was wrong with him? Why was he so unsettled by the fact that Tilly may be forming something with Mr. Howard? She had to marry, so why not him?
Because you want her for yourself.The words seemed to echo in his head. Yet he couldn’t have her if he did not marry her, and the thought of that had him shuddering.
Ambrose wanted an easy wife, not one who would talk at him constantly and take him to task if he dared to question her.
He walked and walked and tried to make sense of the craziness inside his head. He had enough business interests to keep his mind occupied, and then there was his family. His mother was constantly having him check up on his two unwed sisters. What with social engagements and his involvement in the Pavlov fortune, what else could he need?
