Page 56 of Sincerely, the Duke
Their chat had been brief when he said, “Miss Eileen, Miss Eleonora, I’d be pleased if you’d both save a dance for me this evening.”
“I’m afraid I can’t,” Eileen responded immediately with a somewhat sad smile. “I’m having a slight problem with my ankle. Perhaps another evening.”
He pressed his lips together andtsked. “I’m sorry to hear that, Miss Fine. I understand and hope you recover soon.” He looked hopefully at Elle.
“Thank you for asking, Mr. Mercy, but I must decline a dance this evening as well. Another time.”
As soon as the man excused himself, Edwina turned her perturbed face toward Rick. He nodded, so she looked at her sisters. “This is a ball. Why do you think Papa tutored us in dances from a quadrille to a cotillion and a waltz? You are dressed as fine as you will ever be. This is your night to show how beautiful and intelligent you are. You should have accepted a dance with Mr. Mercy.”
“I find I can only think of Mr. Climperwell and how I would have enjoyed being here with him.”
“That opportunity was taken from you,” Edwina said, trying not to sound unsympathetic but fearing she might have. She looked at Eileen with the same determined fluster. “Your dream to visit and study with Mr. Herschel or his sister has not materialized either. It is time for you both to move on.”
Eleonora looked away from Edwina and scanned the noisy, teeming room. Eileen stared solemnly at her.
As if knowing he couldn’t add anything, Rick gave Edwina a quirk of his head and said, “This way. Mr. Culbreth is next.”
The duke wasn’t daunted by his mission. Suddenly, they were meeting one gentleman after another in the overly crowded and loud room. Edwina’s exasperated words of encouragement hadn’t helped. Over the course of an hour, her sisters gave the same excuse to every young man they met. Until the duke gave Edwina a weary smile and excused himself. So did Eileen, insisting she should check on Aunt Pauline.
Discouraged her sisters were not obliging or even cooperating a little, Edwina turned to ask Eleonora if she wanted to rest in the ladies’ retiring room to get away from the music, chatter, and laughter, but stopped before speaking. Elle was looking with starry-eyed wonder at the tall, strapping young man from the wedding. He was looking the same way at her.
“Do you know that gentleman, Eleonora?” she asked.
“We met at the wedding and chatted for a while,” her sister answered. “Not long because we hadn’t been introduced and I was afraid I’d get caught talking with him.”
Edwina had no idea who he was even though he had been at her wedding. He was almost as handsome as Rick. Perhaps as tall but not as wide-chested and maybea couple of years younger. One thing was clear: He was definitely interested in her sister. For the second time. She watched his gaze as it swept up and down Elle’s face as he smiled at her. Suddenly, he was making his way through the crowd and straight toward them.
“That was the right thing for you to do, Elle. Rules are not as lax here as they were in York. I think he might have left before introductions were made.”
“He has such an attractive and confident swing to his shoulders.” The dreamy-eyed look stayed on Elle’s face. “And such a strong and daring look in his eyes.”
Her sister had noticed a lot about the man if indeed it was only a short time they talked. The man didn’t take his eyes off Elle or stop until he stood in front of them, bowed, and said, “Your Grace, please excuse my manners in approaching you. I don’t know if you remember me, but we were introduced at your wedding. I am Mr. Matthew Malcolm.”
Edwina’s chin dipped and she pursed her lips. Society’s rules were strict about introductions, and she didn’t want to break any at her first ball, but she was sure they hadn’t met. However, she was willing to give him the benefit of doubt since she was certain he had attended the wedding, and Elle was so interested she’d talked to him. “I met many people that day, Mr. Malcolm.”
“I understand.” He looked at Eleonora and then back to Edwina. “I was hoping you wouldn’t mind introducing me to your sister. If I’m not being too forward.”
Neither Elle nor Mr. Malcolm had taken the smiles off their faces since they saw each other from opposite sides of the room. She had to do the honors and proceeded to make their introduction official.
“Miss Eleonora, might I say you are the loveliest young lady here tonight.” He quickly glanced at Edwina.“With apologies, Your Grace, you both are the loveliest ladies here tonight.”
Edwina smiled at his amended comment. It warmed Edwina’s heart to see Elle engaged with a young man again, and one who was immediately taken with her too. This was the reason Edwina had come to the ball.
“A dance is starting soon, Your Grace. May I have permission to ask Miss Eleonora?”
Edwina nodded and, before she knew it, her sister was walking toward the dance floor with the young man. As they took their place in line, she watched as they continued to look at each other with such ease and talk as they waited for the music to begin.
“Why are you here by yourself?” Rick asked as he appeared at Edwina’s side. His eyes lit with humor. “Both your sisters have deserted you already?”
“Yes,” she admitted with an easy breath and feeling quite pleased. “As it happens, Eleonora is having her first dance.”
“What?” He glanced toward the dancers. “I don’t see them. With whom?”
Before she could answer, Rick’s face twisted into a scowl and his whole body tensed.
“Why do you have such a grimace?” she asked. “I think this might have been love at first sight.”
“No, hellfire, it wasn’t,” he murmured under his breath.
