“Before returning to England. About four months ago. They had been occurring about three months apart.”
“Interesting. Alice Weatherby’s father spent large periods of time in India for his business. I shall write to him as well to see if he has any additional information which might prove useful.”
“We would be most grateful, Your Grace.”
Ashton appeared to contemplate something.
“Anything else, Your Grace?”
He shook his head. “I should let you get back to your business.”
Drake nodded and hurried toward the staircase. Grateful to finally be away from the crowds, but hopeful that the unconventional duke would provide a remedy for his friend.
As much asshe disliked large crowds, for once Honoria was grateful for the cover it provided. Wedged between Miranda and Charlotte, she ignored her father’s disapproving stare.
Anne squeezed herself between Charlotte and Honoria. “Oh, Honny, that was the most beautiful song. I didn’t know you could sing like that.”
Charlotte’s scowl mirrored Honoria’s father’s. “Would you please stop referring to Honoria with that ridiculous name, Anne?”
“Careful, Charlotte, or she’ll come up with one for you.” Mischief glinted in Miranda’s eyes.
Anne grinned. “What about Charlie?”
“And I suppose I would be Randy or some such nonsense. Seriously, Anne, Charlotte’s right. How do you expect a man to take you seriously?”
“Mr. Merrick doesn’t seem to have a problem with my exuberance, as he described it.” Anne exhaled a heavy sigh. “He sings divinely. It’s as if he were singing only to me.”
Honoria jerked back. Drake had held her gaze throughout the song. Hadn’t he? Of course, shehadclosed her eyes a few times to concentrate.
“Now you’re imagining things as well as being foolish,” Charlotte said. “Mr. Merrick’s concentration remained solely on Honoria.”
Miranda studied her closely. “Yes, it did. It was almost as if he knew about your fear of singing publicly.”
Honoria scrambled for a viable explanation. “He more than likely sensed my trepidation. I worry I may have been trembling horribly.”
Miranda found Honoria’s hand and squeezed. “Only a little at first. Once you began singing, no one would have known. I’m so proud of you.”
“As am I,” Charlotte said. “Still, someone should have a few words with Burwood for volunteering you like that. That was most insensitive.” She stared in the direction of the new duke and frowned. “He needs to understand how things are done in polite society.” Adetermination Honoria was well acquainted with shone in Charlotte’s eyes.
“Charlotte, don’t do anything rash,” Honoria said.
Charlotte’s gaze softened when she turned it back toward Honoria. “I’m concerned about you, Honoria. The duke seems quite interested in you. If he’s planning on making you his duchess, then he needs to understand he can’t embarrass you like that again.”
Before Honoria could stop her, Charlotte marched off in the direction of Burwood.
“Oh, dear,” Honoria muttered. “When Charlotte’s ire is up, she becomes like a storm at sea.”
Thank heavens Drake had left the small group comprising Burwood and the Duke and Duchess of Ashton. Then Ashton excused himself, leaving Burwood and Her Grace alone.
Honoria held her breath as Burwood’s grin vanished upon Charlotte’s appearance before him. She could imagine the conversation as she watched it play out before her.
Unlike Burwood, Charlotte had been carefully schooled in proper etiquette, and Honoria would venture to say, among all their friends, Charlotte held to therulesmore closely than the lot of them. After nodding to the duchess, she tapped Burwood on the arm with her fan and led him to the side—no doubt to deliver her set down, all done so skillfully as to not even hint of an actual insult. Often people were unaware Charlotte had insulted them until days later.
Burwood glanced toward Honoria, then back to Charlotte. He held his hand to his chest and affected a countenance most aggrieved.
Oh, dear.Perhaps, in this case, Charlotte had been more direct.
When Charlotte turned to leave him, Honoria caught the slight tweak of his lips and shake of his head.
