Page 65 of Earl, Enemy, Husband?

A neutral topic, as long as one was careful to say nothing disparaging, according to Lady Blackdown. ‘To be honest, I have seen little of it so far. Most of my time has been taken up with shopping for a new wardrobe. I hope to see more of the amusements the town has to offer over the coming weeks.’

‘You have shopped to great effect, if I may say so.’

Astonished, she stared at him. ‘Why Mr Redfern, how very kind of you.’

He shook his head. ‘Not kind—a fact. Several ladies of my acquaintance have been impressed with your elegance.’

Surely he could not mean Lady Standish?

A stir at the door and a strong sense of knowledge caught her off guard. It had to be Graydon. Lady Standish rushing across the room, hands outstretched, confirmed her suspicions and she turned to see Graydon take one of her hands and bow over it.

‘The hero arrives,’ George murmured in her ear. There was a bitter edge to his voice. His gaze held shadows. He grinned and shook his head, as if he had been making a joke.

Graydon caught her glance and smiled in her direction, but his attention immediately went to Lady Standish, who leaned forward, seemingly to whisper in his ear—a far too intimate gesture for such a public place. Every nerve in Florence’s body tingled with the urge to tell the woman to stand back from her husband. But how could she, when he loved Lady Standish?

Other guests arriving at that moment, a gentleman and a lady, forced Graydon to move from the doorway and Lady Standish to turn away and greet the newcomers.

Good. Finally, Graydon strolled over to George and her.

She pinned a bright smile on her lips and held out her hand. ‘Here you are at last.’

He took her hand, kissed it, then turned to George. ‘I see you are keeping my wife well entertained.’

‘Doing my best, old chap,’ George said with a conspiratorial wink.

Now what did that mean? Was he supposed to have kept her busy so Graydon could consort with Lady Standish? Her stomach dipped.

Florence gave her husband an indulgent smile. What else could she do? ‘I hope your business meeting went well?’

‘Well enough,’ he said, and his gaze flicked briefly to where Lady Standish chatted with the new arrivals and back to Florence. ‘Is that another new gown? It suits you.’ Surprised he had noticed, her foolish heart soared. She tamped down the feeling that he had made her day. He was likely trying to turn her up sweet after the way Lady Standish had behaved upon his arrival. Better to act as if compliments from him were an everyday occurrence, than give them any weight.

‘Thank you. Yes, it is indeed new. It arrived this morning. My wardrobe is now complete. At least for the time being.’

He seemed to be listening with only half an ear. She didn’t blame him; she was prattling on about nothing.

‘I want you to meet someone,’ he said. ‘Excuse us for a moment, George.’ He put her hand on his arm and spoke quietly. ‘The man who arrived behind me is Liverpool. I have only met the earl once, but you will like him. I was thinking of inviting him to dinner.’

Liverpool, Secretary of State for War? Was that why his thoughts had been focussed elsewhere? If so, she could forgive him.

‘His wife is with him. Perhaps you could mention the idea of dinner while you are talking to her. Ask if next week is possible. I have some ideas I would like to discuss with him.’

The Secretary of State for War for dinner? She hoped she did not look as frightened as she felt. She could do this. She must make Graydon realise she was of use to him. ‘Of course.’

‘You are a brick, my dear.’

Was it better to be a brick than be beautiful?

Her heart dipped. She really didn’t think so.

Chapter Fourteen

The conversation with Liverpool and his wife had gone extremely well, Graydon thought. Florence had been charming and intelligent. She and Lady Liverpool had soon been chatting away like old friends.

Florence’s swift smile at him said the deed was done. The couple would come for dinner. Good for her. And good for him too. A chance to discuss some particular matters of government over dinner was a major achievement.

As Liverpool moved away to speak with Lord Swann, Graydon made to join his wife. Eloise forestalled him. She’d already whispered in his ear, asking about the money the moment he’d walked in the door. He’d brushed her question aside. Now was not the time or place.

‘How on earth did you manage to entice Liverpool to such a mundane gathering?’ he asked before she could bring up the matter of money again where anyone could be listening to their conversation.