Page 44 of Sincerely, the Duke
“Oh, I wouldn’t miss it,” Aunt Pauline said. “I remember the days when I was young and would dance until my feet would ache. I can’t wait to go again but fear my dancing days are over.”
“Mrs. Castleton will spend most of her time on one of the velvet chairs with all the other widows, spinsters, and chaperones,” Rick said, not letting the sisters’ defiance deter him. “You two will be wherever Edwina is.”
Eileen moved her lips from side to side before saying, “I suppose I can go for a little while. Until she feels comfortable.”
He nodded to her and then pointed his gaze at Elle.
“Well, yes, of course, we want to help Edwina. That’s why we left York. Of course, I’ll go for a little while.”
He gave Eleonora a nod and turned to Edwina with a smile.
Edwina felt as if she’d taken her first easy breath of the day. Her sisters were beautiful and had done excellently. They handled the duke’s mother well, and Edwina was thrilled they were in London and in Society. Their possibilities of making a match were far greater than they had been in York.
“Good,” Rick said. He stopped a passing server and grabbed two glasses of champagne and gave them to the sisters and then handed one to her aunt.
“I’ve never tasted champagne,” Elle said and quickly took a sip. She smiled. “I think I should like this.”
“You might as well start getting used to what a grand ball is like. If you don’t care for it there is always punch.”
“I’m feeling a little tired, Edwina,” Aunt Pauline said. “Would you mind if I found a chair and took a rest while I enjoy this glass of champagne?”
“Of course not, Auntie.”
“I’ll escort you, Mrs. Castleton,” the duke said.
“You will do no such thing,” Eileen said, slipping her hand around her aunt’s upper arm. Eleonora immediately took the other arm. “You two need to be together. We’ll take care of Auntie.”
Edwina’s family left and she placed her glass and rose on a small table.
She turned to Rick. He was once again scanning the crowd. She looked out over the room too. The hum of talking, laughing, and generally moving around was a little intimidating. Being an active participant in Society was going to take some adjusting for her and her sisters.
“Are you looking for someone?” she asked.
He turned his attention back to her. “I was hoping out of all the people here my mother would have invited a few bachelors, so I could introduce them to your sisters. The only one I’ve seen I would not want either of them to consider.”
“I had noticed most of the people here are a few years older than we are,” she answered with a smile. “And thank you for being so firm with Elle and Eileen about attending the balls. It makes me hopeful you can succeed where I have failed.”
His gaze easily moved to hers. “You have nothing to worry about, Edwina. Now, I should do what everyone is waiting for and introduce you to all the guests. I feel none of them will go home until they’ve met you.” He smiled. “Once this is done, you can relax and enjoy yourself. The hard part will be over.”
Edwina wasn’t sure about that, but she returned the duke’s smile.
The whirlwind of formalities and introductions seemed endless as they moved about the room meeting the guests. Rick was right about how formal the occasion was. Every gentleman bowed and every lady curtsied and referred to them as Your Grace. Though some wanted to tarry over conversation, the duke didn’t stay long to chat with any of them. He kept moving until they came upon two exceptionally tall and powerfully built men who were just as handsome as Rick. A beautiful young lady with dark-blond hair was with them. She had a healthy blush on her cheeks and immediately gave Edwina a friendly smile.
“Your Grace,” Stonerick said to Edwina, “may I present the Duke and Duchess of Wyatthaven and the Duke of Hurstbourne.”
Edwina smiled to the threesome as appropriate greetings were exchanged. She was delighted to learn the friends didn’t stand on formal ceremony with each other when she was asked to call them Hurst, Wyatt, and Fredericka. That made her feel more at ease in the bustling room.
“Rick told us your sisters and aunt are with you and perhaps more of your family are here,” Fredericka said to Edwina.
“No one else,” Edwina replied affably, seeing only friendliness in Fredericka’s face. “My mother died shortly after I was born, and my father passed early last winter.”
“I’m sorry to hear it’s so recently.”
Edwina appreciated the sincere light of sympathy in Fredericka’s golden-brown eyes. “Thank you. He was scholarly and loved to impart his knowledge to others.”
“I think I would have enjoyed meeting him.”
“Yes, you would have,” Edwina agreed. “He often put his thoughts in journals and wrote many papers on topics that interested him. We have his writings and take pleasure in reading them from time to time.”
