Page 57 of Sincerely, the Duke
The low calm in his voice was cause for worry. “They were taken with each other from first sight. He seemed very sincere about everything he said.”
“And I know why,” Rick answered testily. “I’m sure he was delighted to ask her to dance. Why did you give her permission?”
“I didn’t mind,” she answered truthfully. “He asked, she accepted.” Edwina caught sight of them again. Theywere laughing and having a wonderful time with the fast quadrille. What’s more, with her so beautiful and him so handsome, they were perfectly matched. “What’s wrong?”
Rick glared at her. “I don’t want him anywhere near one of my sisters.”
CHAPTER 19
THE ART OF BEING A FINE GENTLEMAN
SIR DUDLEY SAMSON PEMBERTON FINE
It is always a man’s duty, under any circumstance, to protect a lady.
The music was loud and lively, and the room hot. Laughter and the constant roar of chatter from the packed crowd, and not yet having a dance with Edwina was making Rick irritable enough. Now he had to contend with Malcolm too. The man was proving to be a bad penny.
Rick swallowed the impulse to stomp over and usher Eleonora off the dance floor while telling the buck to never go near her again. Such an action wouldn’t bother Rick, but it would humiliate Elle and, more importantly, Edwina. So, he stood still and fumed.
“Why isn’t he suitable?” Edwina pressed curiously. “Is he a ne’er-do-well?”
“No,” Rick said, keeping his aggravation in check. He assumed, because of the man’s behavior at the shooting match, he merely wanted to dance with Eleonora because he knew it would rile Rick. “He’s the younger son of Lord Derrybrooke, but acts as if he’s the heir apparent.”
Edwina shrugged a little. “That doesn’t sound as if itwould be something to raise your ire. It’s wonderful that someone of such prestige might have designs on Elle. Does he cheat with cards? Drink excessively on many occasions? Does he ruin the reputations of innocent young ladies?”
“Not that I’m aware of,” Rick was forced to admit, but he had other vices. Like inviting Rick to enjoy his favorite tavern wench. “I heard he’s recently back from his tour of Europe and hasn’t been in London long.”
“That could explain why he was a little forward and presumed we had been introduced at the wedding.”
“Really, Edwina?” Rick interrupted with a low edge to his voice, staring at her in disbelief. “You let him get by with that arrogance? And allowed Eleonora to dance with him?”
“They had already chatted at the wedding and took an immediate liking to each other.” She pinned him with an amused stare. “Do you really want to talk about someone breaking the rules of Society, Your Grace?”
“Yes,” he said succinctly and without a hint of doubt.
“Then look at yourself first.” Her chin lifted with a confident tilt. “You picked my name from a list, and your first kiss to me was definitely breaking the rules.”
Maybe.
A boisterously talking man, who must have been moving his arms as he spoke, bumped Rick’s shoulder, mumbled an apology, and went immediately back to his loud conversation. Rick touched Edwina’s arm, and they moved closer to the wall and away from the people who were standing nearby.
“That was different, Edwina, and you know it. We were already betrothed and I was trying to help you get your sisters to London.”
She gave him a satisfied smile. “Which you did.”
Rick grunted. His beautiful wife didn’t seem to be taking this seriously. “Mr. Malcolm is cocky, self-indulgent, and given to debauchery. He doesn’t know how to win with honor or leave well enough alone.” That was about as nice as Rick could make his objections. He wanted to add that the buck spent time in popular but unsavory gaming hells rather than gentlemen clubs, and with taproom wenches rather than more discriminating mistresses, as would most men with a generous allowance and a titled family member. If that wasn’t enough, he was too damned young to consider marriage to anyone.
Edwina clasped her hands together in front of her and looked around the room for a brief time as if to gather her thoughts before speaking. “I have to admit those are not admirable qualities. My father wrote that bragging wasn’t so bad in a young man. It takes time to mature and gain…”
The muscles in Rick’s neck felt as if they were tied into a thousand knots. “This really isn’t the time to mention your father to me, Edwina,” he snapped. “I realize if he were here, he’d be handling Eleonora and Eileen differently from me.”
Edwina seemed to consider her words again as she took a step back. “You’re right,” she answered calmly. “I only meant Mr. Malcolm seemed to be a gentleman who saw a young lady he caught a fancy for. He’s not pursuing her yet. He is dancing with her—and in front of everyone, I might add.”
Rick sucked in a calming breath. He simply didn’t like the man and couldn’t hide that fact. Some of his ill will toward Malcolm could have to do with the fact Rick missed the shot against him, causing the upstart to win, but it was more than that. Rick never boasted about hiswins. When you were good, you didn’t have to. Others would do it for you. He didn’t like the noisy mass of people that seemed to be inching closer to them either.
“She’s been denying dances all night. I turn my back for one minute, and she’s twirling around with a restless buck who by no means is ready for marriage, but only to sow his seeds. It’s irritating, Edwina. She needs to set her cap for a more settled gentleman, like Mr. Mercy.”
“There was clearly no connection between her and Mr. Mercy and you know it.” She paused, and then gave him a beautiful teasing smile. “Not like you and I had when we first met.”
