by Joyce Alec
Joseph cleared his throat, not quite certain what he was to say to this.
“But you shall simply be seeking a bride that does not care about your scandalous behavior last Season, I presume,” Lord Irwin finished, clearly aware that all this talk of affection and matrimony was making Joseph uncomfortable. “Although I should say that talking at length to Lady Starling will do your reputation no good.”
Sighing heavily, Joseph rubbed at his forehead, a pinched expression on his face. “You do not hold back, do you?” he muttered, feeling a trifle frustrated over Lord Irwin’s blunt manner. “Yes, I am aware that conversing with Lady Starling is not to be seen as a wise behavior, but I had very little choice. It was she who approached me and she who has suggested that—” He stopped dead, realizing what he had been about to say and seeing Lord Irwin’s answering frown.
“Suggest what, might I ask?” Lord Irwin enquired, his frown deepening. “Do not tell me that she is considering you for her next victim, Lord Ancrum. It is not as though she is seeking a new husband for herself, which—”
“I should not consider her even if she was seeking to wed,” Joseph interrupted, hoping that this would allow him to escape answering Lord Irwin’s previous suggestion, but Lord Irwin only frowned.
“It would not be a good match,” Lord Irwin stated darkly. “Lady Starling is well known to be… rather open with her favors as I am certain you well know. To take her as a wife would be utterly disastrous and scandal would dog your family line for generations to come.”
Closing his eyes, Joseph let out a long breath. “I am fully aware of that, Irwin. As I have said, I would never consider Lady Starling to be a suitable bride, so you need not have any concern in that regard.” He was doing his utmost not to become irritated with his friend, but the way that Lord Irwin continued to speak against Lady Starling in such determined tones was becoming quite maddening.
“You will consider her then, for another position,” Lord Irwin stated, his cynicism evident in every single word and in every single look. “I hardly think that is wise, Lord Ancrum.”
Joseph hesitated, then shrugged. “I have not yet decided whether I would accept her attentions, even if she was to offer such a delight to me,” he replied as nonchalantly as he could. “Although I will say that I was flattered by her attentions.”
Lord Irwin scoffed at this. “Of course you were,” he stated, slicing the air with his hand. “That is precisely what she wants and what she uses. Her own reputation is one of note, and most gentlemen trip over their own feet in order to have her give them even a second glance. But not so with you.” He shook his head and Joseph felt a slight embarrassment begin to grow within him. “She has chosen you from amongst the ton and has decided to seek you out, instead of you pursuing her. Therefore, you are flattered by her attentions and begin to hope that she might be considering you for her future…. endeavors, shall we say.” Lord Irwin paused for a moment, making Joseph realize just how much of the truth was in Lord Irwin’s words. “She has no expectation that you will refuse her, does she?”
“No, of course, not,” Joseph replied quickly. “I should truly struggle to refuse someone such as Lady Starling.”
“Unless, in doing so and in denying yourself the pleasures of what was to come, you realize that it is for your best,” Lord Irwin said emphatically. “You realize that you must refuse her, so that your reputation can recover, so that society does not believe you to be the rake that they now consider you and so that you can find a suitable bride thereafter, just as you have intended.” He lifted one eyebrow questioningly. “Or do you think you will be able to find a gentleman willing to give you his daughter’s hand in marriage when you are known to be spending a good deal of time with Lady Starling?”
Finding his frustration and his embarrassment mingling together, Joseph let out a long breath, raised his gaze, and shook one finger in Lord Irwin’s direction. “You are rather irritating with your sound advice, old boy, I must say.”
Appearing relieved that Joseph was, it seemed, listening to his warnings about Lady Starling, Lord Irwin merely shrugged. “I do it for your best,” he reminded Joseph, who had no other choice but to begrudgingly accept this from him. “You are trying to restore your reputation, not ruin it further.”
“And having an intimacy with Lady Starling will ruin me further,” Joseph muttered, passing a hand over his eyes and letting out a long, slow breath. His delight over Lady Starling’s suggestion that he might become closer acquainted with her began to evaporate as he accepted that to do so would only cement his reputation as a supposed rake, which would mean that he would struggle to find a suitable bride when the time came. Lord Irwin was, as much as Joseph hated to admit it, wise in his speech and Joseph knew he could not ignore his friend’s advice.
“I speak as your friend, Ancrum,” Lord Irwin replied quietly, as if he feared that Joseph was going to be offended by what he had said. “That is all.”
“I know, I know,” Joseph intoned heavily. “You have saved me from myself, it seems, Lord Irwin. If only you had advised me so last year, then I might not have behaved as terribly as I did!”
Lord Irwin chuckled, the seriousness disappearing from his expression. “I was much too caught up with Miss Lucas, as you well know.”
“Indeed,” Joseph replied with a grin. “Where is your wife at this present moment?”
Lord Irwin looked all about him, only to then point across the room. “There, do you see her? She is conversing with a young lady, whom I have only just been introduced to this evening.”
Joseph peered out across the room in the direction that Lord Irwin pointed, catching sight of the lady as she spoke to another he himself was not acquainted with. Miss Lucas—or Lady Irwin, as she was now—was quite lovely, with red curls and sparkling green eyes, and the creature next to her seemed to pale in comparison. She had rather dark brown hair, with eyes that held no sparkle and there was no smile on her lips. She was watching Lady Irwin intently, clearly taking in everything that was being said as though her life depended upon it.
“Let me take you to greet her,” Lord Irwin suggested, moving away before Joseph could say anything. “I am certain my wife will be glad to see you again and she can give proper introductions thereafter.”
Joseph shrugged inwardly and began to follow his friend across the room towards Lady Irwin. It would do him no harm to greet Lady Irwin and to be introduced to her companion, whoever she was. In fact, it might be the very best thing for him, for it would at the very least remove the beautiful Lady Starling from his thoughts.
As he drew closer, the young lady that he did not know looked up at him directly. Her gaze was sharp, her eyes watchful as he came closer. She did not smile and there was no color in her cheeks but, he considered, taking her in, there appeared to be an air of decisiveness about her. Perhaps it was the lift of her chin or the way she carried herself, but he had the sense that she had a strong character indeed.
“My dear Lady Irwin,” Lord Irwin said, taking his wife’s hand and bringing it to his lips as though he had not seen her in some time. “I spotted you from across the room and could not help but be drawn back to your side.”
Lady Irwin blushed at this, although her eyes sparkled with beauty. “You are most kind, Lord Irwin,” she replied sweetly, coming to stand next to her husband. “You are to dance with me soon, I hope?” She looked up into Lord Irwin’s face and Joseph felt a sudden kick of longing within his own heart. Longing that he might have what was so obviously between Lord Irwin and his wife.
And then the moment passed and he was left standing quietly by his friend as he spoke to his wife, waiting for some sort of introduction.
“Lord Ancrum, I must apologize for my rude manner,” Lady Irwin said quickly, as if she had read his thoughts. “Good evening. How do you fare this evening?”
Joseph cleared his throat, bowed in greeting, and then shrugged in a somewhat hopeless manner. “I have been told that I may now be cons
idered a rake,” he told Lady Irwin, who did not seem to be in the least bit surprised. “And your husband had been, of course, ensuring that I do not do anything foolish so that my reputation can be pulled free from such a description before too long.” He smiled tightly, seeing the sympathy in Lady Irwin’s eyes and feeling as though he did not deserve any of it. Then, his gaze shifted towards the other young lady standing opposite. She was standing quite still, her hands held loosely in front of her and her eyes fixed upon his face. There was curiosity in her gaze, her head tilted just a little to her right as though she wanted to know almost all she could about him from just a long glance.
Seeing the direction of his gaze, Lady Irwin began to apologize all over again. “I have not made formal introductions; I am truly sorry.” Sighing and shaking her head, she gestured towards the young, blue-eyed lady. “May I present Miss Whitaker, daughter to Viscount Templeton. Miss Whitaker, might I present the Earl of Ancrum.”
At this, the young lady’s eyes flared in surprise, her cheeks flooding with color as she looked back at him. Joseph sighed inwardly, bowing quickly so as to hide his frustration. Evidently, Miss Whitaker had heard of his stupidity last Season. When he looked up, she was rising from her late curtsy, her color still high as she lifted her head.
“I am very pleased to make your acquaintance,” she said in a quiet voice. “Might I ask if you are enjoying the ball thus far?”
Joseph lifted one shoulder. “I have only been here but an hour, Miss Whitaker,” he told her. “And as yet, have not managed to secure even a single dance. I am not certain that anyone would be glad of my company, however, given that it seems almost everyone is aware of my foolish actions last Season.” He gave the lady a rueful smile, which she did not return. Instead, she simply looked back at him steadily, her lips pressed together as though she were considering something important. Joseph did not know what else to say, looking from Miss Whitaker to Lord Irwin and seeing that, yet again, he was in quiet conversation with his wife. Lady Irwin laughed suddenly and Lord Irwin grinned, before realizing that Joseph and Miss Whitaker were both looking at them.
“I do apologize,” he said, shaking his head as Joseph lifted an eyebrow in surprise. “I have become quite distracted by my wife’s beauty.” He grinned at the quick blush that came to Lady Irwin’s cheeks, clearly delighted that his words could have such an effect on her. “I must take her to the floor for the next dance. Do excuse us.”
“But of course,” Joseph murmured, nodding in Lady Irwin’s direction as she took her leave of them. He was left standing beside Miss Whitaker, who looked after Lord and Lady Irwin with something of a longing in her expression. Joseph tipped his head and regarded her carefully, wondering if she might be someone he could consider courting. She had not backed away from him, had not made her excuses and hurried to leave his side now that Lord and Lady Irwin were gone from them. Instead, she had remained precisely where she was, standing quietly and without any urgency to depart.
Perhaps his reputation was not as ruined as he believed.
“You will forgive me for asking you this, Miss Whitaker, especially when we have only just been introduced, but I must know something.” He saw her turn her face back to his, her eyes alight with interest. “Does my reputation go before me?”
Much to his surprise, Miss Whitaker laughed. “Goodness, Lord Ancrum, that is something of a profound question. I do not know the entirety of society, as you must understand, so therefore I cannot state with any certainty what the beau monde thinks of you.”
He frowned, not content with her answer. “But you knew of me.”
Miss Whitaker’s smile faded, her expression growing serious. “Yes, Lord Ancrum. Yes, I did. But that may be because I was present on the evening that the…. incident occurred.” She looked back at him steadily, no judgment or rancor in her voice or expression. “I saw what you attempted, saw how Miss Grey slapped you, and thereafter, heard the many rumors that swirled around about you.”
“And now you are quite content to stand here and converse with me?” he asked, a trifle incredulous. “Will your father or mother not be deeply upset that you have been seen in the company of a rake?”
Miss Whitaker stiffened, her lips thin and her eyes growing hard. “My father will not care a jot, Lord Ancrum,” she told him, her tone flat. “And my mother is, as you might notice, just a little behind me.” She turned her head and gestured towards a dark-haired older lady, who was laughing uproariously at something one of her companions had said, her glass of ratafia sloshing dangerously as she held it in one hand. “Therefore, Lord Ancrum, you must understand that I make my own judgments upon such things as the company I keep and those I choose to speak to.”
His spirits buoyed and, thinking that Miss Whitaker was a determined yet considered young lady, Joseph turned his gaze back to her and found her watching him still with those light blue eyes of hers. She was not overly pretty but certainly tolerable enough. To have her own mind, however, was what drew him to her the most, for even though she knew what he had done, she had decided not to reject him utterly.
“Then might I ask if you would care for a dance, Miss Whitaker?” he asked boldly, extending his hand. “I have not danced the waltz for some time, I will admit, but I shall make every effort not to stand on your toes.” He smiled as he said this, attempting to put a note of teasing into his voice, but Miss Whitaker did not react in any way. Instead, she let her eyes linger on his outstretched hand for some moments, her face devoid of expression.
Joseph felt himself grow hot, fearing that he was to be rejected and finding his mortification already beginning to rise, only for Miss Whitaker to let out a long breath and step forward, accepting the offer of his dance.
“Thank you, Lord Ancrum,” she said softly, a light smile on her face. “I should very much like to dance with you. Shall we step out?”
“Indeed, we shall,” he replied, his spirits lifting all the more as he walked Miss Whitaker out to the dance floor and prepared to take her in his arms for the waltz.
2
Lydia had been more than glad to accept Lady Irwin’s invitation to afternoon tea, for the lady had seemingly thought well of their interaction two days ago at the ball. Giving herself one last look at her reflection in the drawing room mirror, she nodded to herself, thinking that she looked satisfactory, and then proceeded to make her way to the front door.
As usual, neither her mother nor her father were present to ask where she might be going. One was still abed and the other ensconced in his study, most likely studying the bottom of a brandy bottle. Her mother had imbibed a little too much last evening and, having called for Lydia to come and ensure that she was brought some laudanum and requesting that she place a damp cloth upon her head, Lady Templeton had groaned and sighed and complained until Lydia’s head had been so filled with her mother’s whining voice that it had begun to ache. Her mother had mentioned something about her debts, debts which were owed to some gentleman who had been playing cards with Lady Templeton last evening. Lydia did not know who this gentleman was or how much her mother had lost, but she had decided that it was not her business to either know or give it any consideration and so had set her mind to her meeting with Lady Irwin.
“I am to call upon Lady Irwin, should my mother enquire as to where I am gone,” she told the butler, who, having been used to this way of things, merely nodded and gave her a small smile. “I shall return before dinner.”
“Very good, Miss Whitaker,” the butler replied with a small inclination of his head. “Do enjoy your afternoon. Are you quite sure I cannot call the carriage for you?”
Lydia shook her head. The day was fine and Lady Irwin’s house was not too far away and she quite fancied taking a stroll through London. Her maid was already prepared to walk behind her, so that she would not bring shame to herself. “I shall hail a hackney if I am tired upon my return,” she replied, thinking how strange it was that a servant of her father’s house should show her more co
ncern than her father himself. “I thank you.”
The butler nodded again, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled at her, making Lydia’s sorrow that she was not so well treated by her father pierce her heart all over again. Taking in a deep breath, she stepped outside and took in a lungful of air, putting a smile on her face that she hoped might bring cheer to her heart.
She had to recall what good things were in her life instead of remembering the sadness that came with her parents’ lack of interest in her life. For example, she was to call upon Lady Irwin, who was both kind and genteel, and Lydia hoped she would make a friend of the lady. To have someone to converse with, to have someone to seek out at any social occasion she might attend would be a great joy. Prior to this year, Lydia had simply stayed at the back of every room, not daring to greet anyone or introduce herself, for such a thing would be rude indeed and, therefore, she had not had any acquaintances she might consider to be friends.
But at the ball two nights previous, Lydia had thrown her caution aside and, as such, had discovered that some within society would not think her ill-mannered in any way whatsoever. Lady Irwin had been glad to meet her, it seemed, for she had accepted Lydia’s murmur of greeting at once and had brushed away Lydia’s stammered apologies for not introducing herself in the proper fashion.
Perhaps there was something in this way of conducting oneself. For not only had she met Lady Irwin and thereafter been introduced to Lord Irwin, Lord Irwin himself had then brought over another gentleman, who then had made Lydia’s acquaintance. Lord Ancrum had appeared to be quite amiable, although she had known of his reputation, of course. She had been present in the room the night he had attempted to kiss Miss Grey, although Miss Grey had slapped him hard enough to send him staggering backwards. It had caused quite the scandal, especially when it had become known that Lord Ancrum had only done so in order to win a wager.