Eight Hunting Lyons (The Lyon’s Den Connected World)

Chapter Seventeen

London, late July

M yriad candles and flaming sconces lit the Longford’s ballroom as though it were full daylight. Geoffrey’s sister, Alyse, who was just out this year, flashed by in the midst of a Scottish reel, partnered by her new betrothed. Thomas and Honoria had wished them happy when they arrived at the betrothal ball.

Thomas continued gazing at the dancers. Rochdale had asked Honoria for this dance, and they were even now circling with the others before continuing the high-spirited kicking that the reel was famous for. Unfortunately, it was unfashionable for a man to dance with his wife in public. He’d never gotten the chance to do so with Honoria. Perhaps they would hold a private dance in their townhome and invite only married couples, who could then dance with their spouses with impunity. He smiled at the thought, then stopped when he remembered Geoffrey wasn’t married. Well, he’d invite him anyway. Always good to have a spare gentleman for dancing. Such a party might also persuade his friend to begin looking for a wife.

The reel ended, and Honoria and Rochdale appeared, his wife’s cheeks pleasantly pink.

“Thank you, Lord Rochdale. I enjoyed our dance so much.” Her eyes bright with excitement, Honoria looked longingly at Thomas, who chuckled.

“I thank you as well, Rochdale. As my wife loves to dance, and I cannot fill that office, I am much obliged that you have helped give her that pleasure which I cannot.” He grinned, a mischievous thought occurring. “Although I will be very happy to give you all the pleasure that I am allowed—”

Honoria gasped. “Thomas!”

“By bringing you some lemonade, my dear.” He finished smoothly, delighting in his wife’s face turning red to the tips of her ears.

Rochdale laughed and clamped his hand on Thomas’s shoulder. “Good show, Braeton.” He peered about the room. “Let’s find a footman. They seem never to be around when one wants a drink.”

Thomas in turn glanced about, looking for a footman when he spied a couple entering the ballroom and his breath froze in his chest.

Lord and Lady Danford.

Thomas hissed and turned at once to Honoria. “Rochdale, find Geoffrey and send him to me at once.”

His brother-in-law shot him a quizzical look.

Thomas nodded toward Danford, and Rochdale started, then nodded and left.

“What is going on, Thomas?” Honoria smiled up at him, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “Are you suddenly no longer capable of pleasing your wife?”

He stared down at her, unable to make a sound. Why had Geoffrey not told him Danford would be here? And why was he present at this family gathering?

“What is wrong, my love? You look as though you’ve seen a ghost.” Lines of concern marred Honoria’s lovely face.

How was he to tell her?

“Thomas.” Geoffrey appeared, granting him a reprieve from having to distress his wife. “What did you say to Rochdale? He dragged me out of a perfectly amiable conversation about cattle, insisting I must attend you this instant.”

“That is the matter, Geoffrey.” Thomas nodded toward Danford and his wife, who had stopped to speak with Lady Longford, Geoffrey’s mother. “You might have warned us. We would have sent our regrets.”

“Warned us about what, Thomas?” Honoria’s frown had turned into a dark scowl.

“That is exactly why I didn’t inform you.” Geoffrey met his gaze coolly. “You have been part of my family all my life. You deserved to be here to celebrate with Alyse.” He shrugged. “Just because Lady Danford is the aunt of Alyse’s betrothed is no reason for you to absent yourselves from the festivities.”

“Lord Danford is here?” Honoria’s voice rose to a squeak.

“He is, and we are therefore leaving.” Glaring at his friend, Thomas curled his hands into fists, wishing he was at Jackson’s, where there would be someone to pummel. “Please give our regards to your mother and Alyse, Geoffrey. I fear we will be attending few of your family’s gatherings from now on.” None if Lord and Lady Danford would be in attendance.

“No, Thomas.”

Thomas’s head snapped over to his wife, whose face showed not fear but resolve. “What do you mean, my dear? Of course, we must leave. I will not subject you to so much as that blackguard’s gaze.”

“His gaze cannot harm me, Thomas. And we cannot hide from him for the rest of our lives. He was at fault, not us. If anyone should be ashamed, it is he.” The firm tone of his wife’s voice told Thomas she would not be gainsaid in this.

“But Honoria—”

“I think we should speak to them, my dear.” The innocent gaze she turned on Thomas made him shiver. “It is the polite thing to do, do you not think, Lord Longford?”

Geoffrey grinned from ear to ear. “I do indeed, Lady Braeton.”

His wife cocked her head. “After all we have borne together, you really must call me Honoria.”

Thomas thought he’d go mad looking at his friend’s gleeful countenance.

“It will be my honor, Honoria. If you will also call me Geoffrey.”

“With pleasure. Come, Thomas.” She hooked her arm through his elbow. “We must give the ton something to talk about, an on-dit at the end of the Season to last at least until the Little Season begins.”

Astounded, Thomas allowed Honoria to start them in the direction of their hostess, throwing one wild look at Geoffrey, who shrugged and said, “You said you could deny her nothing.”

The idea that he might live to regret that statement shot through Thomas’s mind, but they were almost upon Lord and Lady Danford. He must take care not to provoke the man—or be provoked by him.

“Lady Longford,” Honoria spoke to their hostess even as she locked eyes with Lady Danford. “Thank you so much for this lovely entertainment. I know you are very pleased with Lady Alyse’s match.”

“Thank you, my dear.” Lady Longford beamed at them. “Yes, Lord Prestbury is very welcome to the family. Do you know his aunt, Lady Danford?”

A sweet smile touched Honoria’s lips. “Yes, of course I do. I am so glad to see you again, my lady.”

Lady Danford’s eyes had widened when they approached, her mouth pursed, though she’d said nothing until now. Shooting a glance at their hostess, the lady smiled, though it did not reach her eyes. “Honoria, I had quite given up hope of you. My mother was heartbroken when you disappeared.” She turned to Lady Longford. “Did you know, Lady Longford, that Honoria had been my mother’s companion until her very recent marriage?”

Lady Longford smiled and nodded, though there was a tightness about her lips. “My son told me the whole tale, Lady Danford. An arranged marriage turned into a very happy love match. I could ask for nothing more for any of my children.” The lady turned to Honoria and Thomas. “You must come to dine with us soon, Thomas. I want to hear all about your wedding.” She tapped him on the arm. “I will enlist your aid in securing as excellent a bride for Geoffrey. Alyse. Alyse, just a moment.” Her gaze swept the little group. “I must speak to her. If you will pardon me?”

“Of course, my lady.”

“Certainly, Lady Longford.”

They all murmured pleasantries to their hostess until she had gone from sight. Then Thomas turned back to Lord and Lady Danford, ready to do battle if necessary. But his wife was there first.

“I am sorry, Lady Danford, that I couldn’t give you more notice, but the matter came upon me suddenly.” Honoria darted a glance at Lord Danford, who had gone pale. “I understand my sister-in-law explained the situation to you.” His wife’s voice hardened. “I hope that was sufficient to preserve the niceties.”

“I suppose it must be, Honoria.” Lady Danford’s scorn was unconcealed.

His wife raised her chin. “Although you may not like it, Caroline , I am Lady Braeton now. I trust, however, that you will respect my rank as much as I do yours.”

While the lady was recovering from that set down, Honoria turned to Lord Danford, and Thomas gripped her arm, still looped through his. “My lord, I see you are recovering from some horrible wound.”

Thomas’s gaze met Danford’s. The man was white as bleached parchment and looked as though he wished to turn and run. That would not be possible, however, so he merely nodded, though his eyes darted about like a hunted animal.

“Yes, my lady. I am.” He was, in fact, leaning heavily on a cane, as though his leg might give out on him at any moment. “It pains me greatly.” Danford glanced at Thomas, then back to Honoria, and took a ragged breath. “But I am recovering, thank God. I thought for a time I would not.”

“Somehow he managed to trip while out shooting more than a month ago, shot his own leg, and almost bled to death.” Lady Danford’s demeanor had softened. “The doctor says I am lucky to still have him with me.”

“Then I am happy you were spared, my lord.” Honoria met his gaze briefly.

“You must take more care the next time you shoot.” She then turned to Thomas. “My dear, I fear I am much fatigued after all the dancing. Perhaps we should take our leave now.”

In absolute awe of his wife, Thomas could not have been in more agreement. “If you wish it, my dear, we will indeed. Lord Danford, Lady Danford.” He nodded to them.

“My lord, my lady.” Honoria curtsied, and Thomas led her toward the entrance.

“Apparently, Danford has managed to keep his real activities hidden from his wife.” Thomas had expected nothing less from the devious man.

“He may not have told her, but she suspects all is not well.” Honoria nodded sagely. “Women know.”

They stopped in a tiny alcove just outside the door to the ballroom. “Do you truly wish to leave, my love?” Thomas had an idea she’d made the excuse simply to get away from the tense situation, although she’d managed the awkwardness beautifully.

“I do, my love. I am fatigued.” She looked up at him, a small smile on her lips. “Although I fear I will be more and more fatigued now.”

“Well, a good night’s sleep will likely take care of that, love.” Thomas peered around, looking for Lady Longford to take their leave of her.

“This is a different kind of fatigue, Thomas.” She stopped him and gazed lovingly into his face. “The kind that comes because I am carrying your child.”

It took a moment for her words to penetrate his mind, then his mouth dropped open, and his gaze snapped to her abdomen, hidden of course by her yellow silk gown. “What?” He couldn’t have heard her correctly. “Honoria, what did you say?”

Her whole face beaming, she took his hand and placed it on her stomach. “You cannot tell it at all, but I believe it is true. I’ve not had my courses since we wed. It is early days yet, but something tells me that I am carrying your child.”

“Oh, Honoria.” He enfolded her in his arms. If this were true, his happiness was complete. “My love, that is the best news I could receive.” He stood back, smiling so widely his cheeks hurt. A glance around showed no one in sight, so he placed his hand back on her stomach. “Hello, little one. You must be a good boy for your mother.”

“What if it’s a girl?” Honoria laughed.

“If it’s a girl, she can do whatever she wishes.” Thomas moved his hand to cup her face. “Because I will be able to deny her nothing. Just like her mother.”