Chapter Five #2
The lady sat in silence, looking out the window. He couldn’t explain the strength of the draw he felt. Was it the mystery she presented? Was it that she seemed as out of place as he felt?
She looked away from the window. Their eyes met.
Her position, posture, and appearance spoke of one who was bashful, humbled, likely by circumstances, yet her expression held something different—an eagerness, a hopefulness.
And to his surprise, he sensed laughter beneath the surface.
What did she find so funny? The guests? Him? Something to which he was not privy?
He held her gaze, indicating with the smallest tilt of his head and raise of his eyebrows that he had noticed her watching him.
She looked away again, her lips pressed together with effort, though it did nothing to hide her amusement.
She was, it seemed, laughing, at least in part, at him.
But why? He had dressed with care. He’d not cut himself shaving nor did he think he had any smudges on his face or person.
She was too far distant to have overheard anything he’d said.
The arrival of Lord Lampton pulled him away from the mystery she still presented.
Even if he hadn’t met the earl earlier, he would have had no difficulty guessing the identity of the gentleman currently clad in a deep-purple jacket, bright-yellow waistcoat, trousers of so brilliant a shade of gray as to be almost silver, and a cravat knot more extravagant than those generally seen outside of the finest ballrooms and gatherings of Society’s most elite.
Lady Lampton walked at his side with the same difficulty she’d displayed earlier.
She leaned on her walking stick and moved with obvious pain.
Though Linus had not directly interacted with her, he felt certain she was the very opposite of her husband in disposition: subdued, pragmatic, and rational.
A hand slapped down on Linus’s shoulder. Harry had arrived at his side. “I believe Adam’s archenemy has arrived.”
Archenemy was doing it a bit brown, but that was the general idea. They’d been brought to protect Lord Lampton from the Dangerous Duke and the Dangerous Duke from his wife’s wrath. Linus was bound for battle once more. Here was something he knew how to undertake.
“Shall we go earn our pay?” Harry asked.
“Are we being paid for our services?”
“No.” Harry tapped his chin, his brow pulled in thought. “Why are we doing this if we aren’t being paid?”
Linus matched his theatrical expression of pondering. “Because we are remarkable human beings?”
Harry shook his head. “Can’t be that.”
“Because we’re afraid of Adam?”
Harry actually snorted. “Definitely not that.”
“Because we’re afraid of Persephone.”
Harry nodded firmly. “That’s it.”
Linus made a show of straightening his jacket and cuffs. “Once more into the breach, my good man. Once more.”
Lord Lampton jangled as he and his wife crossed directly toward Adam. Linus spared a quick glance for the mystery lady. She had returned her gaze to the windows. She did not, it seemed, feel the same pull he did.
Harry and Linus moved to where Adam stood, reaching him as the Lamptons did. Acknowledgments were made all around and the required bows and curtsies exchanged. Lampton’s, Linus noticed, was deeper and grander than was generally seen, almost to the point of being laughable.
Adam’s expression hardened, annoyance clear in every angle of his face. His eyes slowly shifted from Lampton to Harry. There was no mistaking the command inherent in Adam’s expression: intervention.
“A pleasure to see you again, my lord,” Harry said. “I understand your youngest brother is home on holiday.”
“Indeed. He wishes to experience the unparalleled delight of watching his eldest brother do the pretty.” Lord Lampton spun his quizzing glass on its chain. “I could not deny him the opportunity.”
“And in the process, inflict me with it,” Adam grumbled.
“It is pronounced ‘favor,’” Lord Lampton said. “Favor you with it.”
“No. It’s not.”
Lord Lampton turned to his wife and, in an overly loud whisper, one clearly meant to be overheard, said, “He must be accustomed to the French pronunciation.”
“Perhaps you were not warned,” Adam said, “but I do not endure ridiculousness.”
Lampton nodded. “I was warned, but clearly”—he motioned to his attire—“that will not be a problem.”
“It is already a problem.”
Lampton turned toward Harry with a look that held just the tiniest bit too much theatricality for Linus to be certain it was sincere. “Jealousy?”
Adam appeared ever more annoyed.
“As much as I am enjoying this,” Harry said, “I suspect we would be well-advised to mingle elsewhere.” Harry took full custody of Lord and Lady Lampton, the former of whom looked delighted by the prospect of socializing, and the latter of whom appeared to want nothing more than to return to the quiet of her own room. They made an odd pair.
“I suppose I had best go offer my apologies to Persephone,” Linus said.
“Apologies for what?” Adam asked.
“For the inevitability of you landing Lampton a facer.”
“Land him facer?” Adam shook his head. “Harry has you using cant, now, does he?”
Linus chuckled. “I spent more than half my life on board a ship. I hardly need Harry to teach me lower-class expressions.”
Adam’s gaze shifted to something just beyond Linus’s shoulder. Looking back, Linus realized Lampton still held Adam’s attention.
“What are the chances,” Adam asked, “that someone will set fire to the Castle and I will be forced to leave this party early to look over the smoldering heap of stones?”
“Not very good, I’d wager.”
Something very near a growl escaped the duke’s throat. “Sounds like you and Harry have your work cut out for you, then.”
On that foreboding pronouncement, Adam made his way to Persephone’s side across the room. Adam would not make trouble, Linus felt certain of that. But he had no doubt his brother-in-law would be miserable, and that was not an enjoyable experience for anyone.