“Yes, that is just so, Lady Katherine. Might I ask you to explain a little more about what such a term means?”
Lady Katherine glanced to Lady Amelia and then, after a moment, continued. “I mean to say that there must not be those who are rogues or scoundrels at your ball for to have them present means that a lady must constantly be on her guard. It does not bring a great deal of enjoyment to have to continually be watching for those who would be unwelcome company.”
Nathanial frowned, one hand rubbing at his chin. “And would such gentlemen truly seek out the company of young ladies?”
“Yes, of course they would!” Lady Amelia laughed rather ruefully as a tiny hint of a smile touched Lady Katherine’s lips. “A rogue certainly enjoys going to seek out which young ladies he might be able to convince to stand up with him. So I would quite agree with Lady Katherine, if your guest list does not include such fellows, then that is an excellent idea.”
“And you should not have any prolific gossips either,” Lady Katherine put in, now warming to the subject. “Not that I liketo speak ill but there are those within thetonwho enjoy coming to events and occasions so that they might thereafter whisper about it, spreading rumours about this person or that. I would be careful in your invitations in that regard also, Your Grace.”
Nathanial swallowed hard, the idea of throwing a ball now battling hard against his mind for, having thought it would be a particularly easy occasion to organize, he was now beginning to fear that there was a good deal more to it than he had first thought. “I see.”
“Then, of course, there is the orchestra,” Lady Katherine continued, as Lady Amelia nodded. “There must also be no watered wine, if you wish to have a good report thereafter.”
“Watered wine?” Nathanial frowned. “I know that there were some who add water to their wine when the guests are to be thirsty but – ”
“Oh, it is not because they think the guests will be thirsty but rather because they believe it is a way to make certain they do not have a particular expense.” Lady Amelia smiled, tilting her head a little as she looked up at him. “You are unaware of such a thing, mayhap? You have not been in society for some time.”
A ripple of heat ran across Nathanial’s chest and he coughed, spreading out his hands. “It seems as though there is a good deal I do not know or understand, Lady Amelia. I am grateful to you both for your suggestions. I will think of everything you have said and use it when I am to go ahead with my ball.”
Lady Katherine smiled warmly and Nathanial let out a slow, surreptitious breath, relieved that she was smiling at him still, at the very least. This appeared to be a genuine smile, he considered, and was certainly a good deal better than when he had first attempted conversation with her.
I have Lady Amelia to thank for that.
“I look forward to this ball, whenever it should take place,” Lady Amelia said quietly, as Lady Katherine nodded eagerly, a slight flush in her cheeks now. “Thank you for asking us for our opinion, Your Gracee. It is not often that such a thing occurs.”
“Indeed, it is not!” Lady Katherine exclaimed, as though she had only just thought of such a thing. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
“We look forward to your ball.” Lady Goodfellow, who had been standing to one side so that they might all converse without her interjection, came back to fetch her daughter from Nathanial’s side. “Thank you for your conversation, Your Grace. We are both very appreciative.”
Nathanial inclined his head and watched as Lady Goodfellow led her daughter away, leaving him to stand by Lady Amelia who was, he noted, smiling broadly. Evidently, she was rather pleased with what she had managed to achieve in turning the circumstances from a tight, tense situation to a flowing conversation. Lady Charlotte had turned to another young lady near them and was in deep conversation, leaving him alone to talk to Lady Amelia openly.
“Thank you, Lady Amelia.” With a gruffness to his voice that he had not intended to be there, Nathanial glanced at her and then looked away. “You came to my aid, it seems.”
“I did.” Lady Amelia’s smile grew as he looked away, clearing his throat. “I was glad to do so. You see now that Lady Katherine took her leave of your company without believing that you are ‘beastly’ as she might have thought at the beginning?”
“I do.” Admitting it aloud was not as difficult as he had feared and, to his surprise, a broad smile began to spread across his face. “Perhaps this partnership will be more than a little successful after all.”
Chapter Eleven
Abby brushed Amelia’s red curls in long, gentle strokes as Amelia herself let out a slow breath of contentment, finding herself smiling as she recalled what had happened last evening at the ball. She had not seen the Duke of Ashbourne today but there was to be a soiree tomorrow which, she had learned, he would be attending.
“What is it that makes you look so happy?” Abby tilted her head as Amelia looked at her maid in the mirror’s reflection. “I must say, your delightful smile has been consistent ever since you took a seat here!”
Amelia smiled and then lifted her shoulders. “The Beastly Duke and I have come to an accord.”
“The Beastly Duke?” Abby’s face grew a little concerned. “You are not in company with him, are you? I have heard a lot of things about him and none of them have been good.”
“I am.” Amelia lifted her shoulders a little and then let them fall. “You are right that there are a lot of rumours and whispers about him and I will admit that a good many of them are true for heisdark in his manner and his demeanour is less than pleasing. However, I have discovered that he has more to his character than what is supposed. Recall when Charlotte and I went to his estate to visit his mother?”
Abby nodded, her eyes a little rounded with evident surprise at Amelia’s description of the Duke of Ashbourne. “Yes, I recall that night. I was worried about you in the storm and then there came word of your decision to reside at the Duke’s estate overnight.”
Amelia smiled. “That night, I stepped out in the early morning because I had heard something. The Duke was in a state of distress and I learned from him that his dreams had been tormenting him. Apparently, it is something that has happened often and though he begged me to keep what had happened to myself – which I promised to do, of course, for I am not inclined to adding to rumours – I saw more of his character and, perhaps, the reason for some of his shadowy moods.”
“You still must be careful. The Duke of Ashbourne seems, to me, to be a gentleman of an unsettled nature.”
“He did not tell me what it was in his dreams that terrified him, as he himself said.” Amelia let out a small sigh, her shoulders dropping a little more. “But I saw a man broken by fear and that made me deeply sorry for him.” Her eyes lifted again to her maid. “You must promise me not to tell anyone what I have told you. Not even the other maids.”
“Of course I won’t.” Abby’s gaze was steady and Amelia looked back at her carefully before nodding. Abby’s many years of service and loyalty to Amelia made her absolutely certain that she could be trusted and Amelia appreciated that.
