Page 13 of Loving an Earl
“Langford.” Blackstone nudged him with his elbow. “The countess asked you a question.”
He snapped his mind back to the present. “Forgive me, Lady Langford.”
“I was inquiring about the household at Langford Manor. I hope everyone is healthy and happy with their new lord?”
Edmund tried to school his features but thought he had given away his frustration. “Everyone is well. They asked me, if I saw you, to extend their good wishes and say that they miss you.”
Were those tears pooling in her eyes?
“Thank you. Please give them my best.” Her voice came out a little stifled. It appeared she loved them as much as they did her.
Chapter Five
While they werechatting, the dancing began with a quadrille, which Lilly was thrilled to miss out on. Even though she’d danced it with her dancing master, she knew the dance made her nervous that she would make a mistake. Lilly listened to the three others reminisce about the days when Emmeline’s husband was alive and how they all missed him. Blackstone also mentioned a Mr. James Caldwell, and they all wondered why he had not arrived yet. Lilly felt bad for Emmeline—though Blackstone was polite, he treated her indifferently.
But as they conversed, Lilly learned several things about Langford. He had arrived in London two weeks ago after spending all those months she’d been away at Langford Manor. Along with Mr. James Caldwell, he had started a lucrative shipping business some years ago. Blackstone had also bought into their business sometime later, adding him as a third partner. And the three men had spent the three years before his uncle’s death traveling to the West Indies and back. They owned four ships and a warehouse on the Thames. Emmeline teased both men, asking them now that they inherited titles, lands, and everything that went with them, would they do their duty and seek brides this Season?
When both men coughed into their gloved hands, Lilly smiled.
Blackstone spoke up first. “My dear, Emmeline,” he paused, uncertainty flashing in his eyes. “May I still call you Emmeline?” There was that cool tone again, even though his words were friendly.
Emmeline blushed, and her eyes softened. Poor Emmeline, she really did have deep feelings for Blackstone. “Emmeline is fine.” Her cheeks took on a darker shade of red. “We have been friends for ten years. You don’t need to stand on formality. Pray tell, what shall I call you now?”
He chuckled, letting his guard down and Lilly swore he blushed. So perhaps he wasn’t that indifferent to Emmeline. “His Grace, Duke, or Blackstone will suffice in public. In private, you can call me Andrew as you used to.”
Lost in listening to Blackstone and Emmeline’s conversation, Lilly didn’t notice the orchestra beginning the first strings of a waltz until Langford turned, bowed, and held out his hand. “May I have this dance if it’s not promised to another?”
No need to look at her dance card tied to her wrist by a ribbon, for Lilly to know it hadn’t a name written on it. “Y-yes,” she stammered with shock. Langford wanted to waltz with her? She put her hand in his and he transferred it to his forearm and led them out into the middle of the dance floor, which was quickly becoming a crush of couples. As they began to dance, she noticed the looks and whispers following them around the floor. She fought hard not to let her nerves get the best of her. If she didn’t relax somewhat, she was liable to trip up.
“Look at me and breathe,” Langford said. “In, out. Again. In, out. Let them stare and wonder. We will be fodder for their gossip whether we dance or not.”
So she studied his handsome face with his warm brown eyes, strong jaw, and straight nose, and she breathed.
“Better?”
“Yes. Thank you.” And it was better. Concentrating on his face and nothing else made the people and the room around them disappear. The tension eased from her back and shoulders until her mind became a traitor again. “Why are you being kind to me?”
He stepped on her toe; she winced at the pain but ignored it. So he wasn’t as relaxed and comfortable around her as she believed.
She knew a waltz was still a bit scandalous and had always pictured it as a slow dance where the partners could get close and have an intimate conversation. And then her dancing master taught her how to waltz, and she was disappointed to find that, though there was an uncommon measure of touching and closeness, the dancers moved quickly around the room. Though a couple could converse, it wasn’t intimate. One had to speak rather loud and fast.
His brows lowered, and he frowned. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because last we met, you were not nice. You accused me of terrible things.”
His frown deepened. “Forgive me. I was not myself that day.”
She widened her eyes in silent question.
His brows drew together. “Fine. For several weeks. You gave me quite a shock when you turned around from looking out the window that first moment we met. I didn’t expect a lady as young as yourself.” He paused and his lips curved up into a tight smile. “I was shocked and have regretted my actions ever since that day. By the way, the household barely speak to me. You must have cast a spell on them. They love and miss you.”
A lightness entered her body and she smiled, remembering happier times when she resided at Langford Manor and Henry lived. “I love them as well. I have known most of them my entire life. My father was the vicar and Henry’s closest friend. I spent many a day at Langford Manor while growing up.”
His eyes widened and then relaxed as if he hadn’t known this information. How strange. Had no servant or villager told him? He seemed to shake himself and changed the subject.
“Forgive me for speaking of finances, but I hope Mr. Beauregard sent word that an account was set up for you with a monthly allowance, and you are to send your bills to him for payment.”
“Yes he did. Thank you.”
