Perhaps not in the head sometimes, but otherwise, he does seem in good health.
Laughing, Helena waved a hand. “I told you, Lord Duncan. Balls are hardly the best place to find your next mistress. It’s the opera, I say. Surely the theater is the place for you.”
The Viscount mumbled a farewell and took his leave, his red cheeks hopefully brighter than Verity’s as she moved closer to her friend.
“What in good heavens was that?” she hissed.
“My apologies.” Helena scrunched up her nose, though her smile did not falter. The brightness of her gaze told Verity she’d had quite enough to drink, so she slipped the glass back into her free hand. “I’m having a splendid evening. We were discussing where he might find his next mistress. Goodness knows I am not available.”
Verity shot her a sour look. “Neither am I.”
“You already told me that your Duke is hardly a recipient of anything you do. I thought perhaps you changed your mind about loyalty or some such.”
“No, I haven’t. No matter what happens, I am still married, and I will not do anything so inappropriate,” Verity told her forcefully.
Cooing, Helena cupped Verity’s face in her hands. “You are such a dear. I should aspire to be like you. Terribly sorry, I won’t send another man your way. Though I was confident you would do no such thing. At least not with Lord Duncan. What a bore.”
“Indeed,” Verity huffed.
She drained half of her glass, needing the liquid courage to carry on through the evening. It had been an emotional disaster, so far.
At least where my husband is concerned. Why did I think he would care? When I heard him defending me… my heart soared. A fool I was to think anything of it. A duke cares about his name only. He would have done it for anyone tied to his family. It wasn’t because of me.
Part of her was tempted to simply take her leave, but as she glanced down at the bubbles in her glass, she wished she could enjoy herself as Helena did. Perhaps not with the additional drinks on hand and all of the flirtations, but surely she could find a way to have fun at the ball.
“What is it? You’re thinking hard again,” her friend noted.
“I want to have a nice evening. Too many things have already gone wrong,” Verity muttered.
Nodding, Helena glanced around before fluttering her fan. It took her two gestures to lure a gentleman whom Verity vaguely recognized.
“What a delight it is to have you with us tonight, Mr. Hindred. He owns five ships now, Verity. Mr. Hindred, please meet the Duchess of Halewood. She is an absolutely lovely dancer.”
“I didn’t need your help,” Verity muttered as the polite man introduced himself.
He had to be very wealthy to have been invited here. The man showed every sign of grace as he straightened up and offered a friendly, crooked smile.
“Enjoy it all the same,” Helena replied while taking a step back.
“If you’re not claimed for the next set, I’d love to see your lovely dancing for myself,” the man quipped.
There was nothing about him that warned Verity of trouble. He kept his distance, his eyes stayed on her face, and he hadn’t tried to move too close. If anything, he was more interested in Helena.
But I would like a dance.
“I would enjoy that very much, thank you,” she replied and then allowed him to lead her to the dance floor.
Although Helena might have assisted with this partner, soon others followed behind.
Verity had only a few pauses to enjoy a drink and a turn around the room with some of the fellows between dances. Every one of them was friendly, talkative, and a fair dancer. She managed to find that feeling again, of being energetic and young.
In the back of her mind, however, she was aware that none of them were Tristan. They all talked to her more than he would. She wondered then what she had done to deserve his ire. Thoughthey had not met on good terms at first, hadn’t she proved herself more worthy?
She had decided that the best thing she could do now was celebrate the joy that was tonight’s ball. She danced and laughed and talked with everyone who came her way.
“Oh, pardon me,” she said as someone bumped into her.
The hour was late, so everyone was in attendance by now, flooding the ballroom as the supper dance would take place soon.
