With a reassuring nod, Nancy reached for both their hands. “It is more than all right. You are welcome anytime.”
Anne’s lips parted, but instead of her voice, Nancy heard a man say, “Your Grace, I have been looking everywhere for you.”
She whirled around, an easy smile working its way up her lips at the sight of her husband’s uncle.
“Lord Whitwood. Good evening.”
The Earl bowed, raising his head with a smile afterward. “Good evening, Your Grace.”
He glanced at the girls, and Nancy quickly gestured towards them. “These are my sisters, Miss Beatrice and Miss Anne Lockhart. Beatrice, Anne, meet Lord Whitwood, my husband’s uncle.”
“How do you do, Lord Whitwood?” Beatrice said as she and Anne curtsied.
“Very well, thanks to your wonderful older sister, Miss Lockhart. She has given me—and so many others—an excuse to step away from our duties and enjoy ourselves at this lovely ball she has thrown.” Lord Whitwood grinned cheekily.
“We are well aware of our sister’s talents. She is remarkable,” Anne spoke earnestly.
Lord Whitwood nodded. “I agree completely, Miss Anne Lockhart. Which is why I have come to ask her to honor me with her hand for a dance.”
Her sisters’ eyes widened, and they immediately nodded.
“Lord Whitwood wants to dance with you!” Anne whispered; her voice still rather loud enough for those around her to hear her words clearly.
“I do not know why you are so excited.” Beatrice rolled her eyes. “She is married to a duke already.”
“Is he like the King?”
“Close.”
“Ah…”
Nancy sighed at her sisters’ antics and faced Lord Whitwood with a smile.
“I would be delighted to dance with you, My Lord.” As he took her hand, she told her sisters, “Stay here. Mama will be back shortly.”
Beatrice nodded, and Anne waved as she walked off, making her laugh a little.
Nancy and the Earl made it to the dance floor and customarily greeted each other, pausing for a moment to wait for the music to begin.
When the pleasant chimes of a harp filled the ballroom, they began to dance, moving rhythmically around each other and other dancing duos.
“Allow me to say, Your Grace, that you look extraordinary tonight. I am quite literally nearly rendered speechless by your beauty—I must confess it took me several minutes before I was able to come up with an extraordinary greeting after I spotted you from across the room,” Lord Whitwood said.
Nancy laughed amicably. “Thank you, Lord Whitwood. I am flattered.”
“I am happy to flatter you even more. There is certainly a lot that can be discussed when referring to just how remarkable you are. Take this party, for instance. You had the role tossed to you as one would toss wilting flowers away, but you nurtured the assignment into such a wonderful blooming plant again. I am very impressed.”
“I am honored by your words, Lord Whitwood. I had a lot of help when it came to planning the ball. The Wexford Castle staff is truly exceptional in their field. They were resourceful, and they provided me with sufficient feedback, as I desired. I felt fortunate to receive their support from start to finish.”
“Beautiful and kind. My nephew must have been greatly favored by God to have been blessed with a special woman like you for a wife.”
The Earl frowned suddenly. “Although, I have to admit that it is disappointing how little attention he has shown you all evening. I know that he can be… difficult to live with, and it is no fault of his.”
“Pardon?”
“My brother wasn’t the best father one could ask for. But I expected that the new Duke would have let go of his past and faced his future with anticipation. If this is how he habitually treats you, I can only imagine how lonely your days must be, Your Grace.”
His words caught her off-guard, but she did not falter, shaking her head gently in disagreement.
