“They are not as bad as you think, Lord Whitwood. My husband allowed me to keep a stray puppy that wandered onto the estate grounds as a pet and even hired a trainer for my sweet Dash. Mr. Aldridge has been an excellent help with my puppy, and it is always a wonderful time to spend whenever Dash is trained. I am content with those moments as they nicely make up for when my husband is busy.”
“Ah. I see.” Lord Whitwood smiled kindly. “Having a dog trainer is an excellent choice, Your Grace. I am glad to hear you have found a way to enjoy yourself.”
Nancy returned his smile politely. “As am I. Thank you, Lord Whitwood.”
The song ended as did their dance, and while they walked off the dance floor, the Earl opened his mouth to speak, but then his eyes wandered off to a corner of the ballroom.
With a sigh of disappointment, he pointed in the direction he was looking at, speaking in a hushed tone, “I wish you did not have to see this, but it is perhaps for the best that you do.”
Nancy followed his gaze, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of her husband standing across the room. He looked distinguished and handsome in his attire, as though there was no one better that could have been born for the role of the Duke of Wexford.
But then he smiled at someone to his left, and it was at that moment Nancy realized he was in the company of a beautiful woman. Whoever she was, she seemed happy to be in his presence, and Richard, in turn, kept barely any distance between them, speaking amicably—more so than Nancy had ever seen him do with anyone else.
“The nerve of him to do this at a party so soon after your wedding—it is shameful and disrespectful, Your Grace. No matter how beautiful she might be, he should repress his urges and remember that he has you now.”
He sighed once before continuing.
“Though, I suppose old habits die hard. He has always been like this—uncontrollable, easily ensnared by the dangerous temptations of women. Being away from London doesn’t seem to have taken the rake out of him. Let us hope it fades with time,” Lord Whitwood whispered pitifully.
There was something about the heaviness that sat on her heart as she watched her husband converse with the woman. Shame coiled in her gut as she envied the woman who had stolen her husband’s attention.
It saddened her that although she was his wife, he had barely smiled at her like that.
“Excuse me, Lord Whitwood, I must find my sisters and my mother.”
“Oh, of course, Your Grace. Thank you for honoring me with a dance,” Lord Whitwood said, his expression sad.
Nancy nodded and walked away quickly, failing to notice the smug smile on his face.
* * *
“You’re doing better than I expected. Truly a shame.”
Richard snorted and rolled his eyes, unable to hold back a grin as the woman standing by his side giggled.
“I am sorry I could not provide you with the results of my downfall as you wished. I’ll keep it in mind next time, Lillian.”
She smiled up at him, shaking her head gently. “William would be cross with me if he knew I had hoped for the odds to be against you. Henceforth, I shall pray for your well-being, just as he had. And perhaps occasionally wish for you to take a tumble down some stairs.”
“Your generosity is overwhelming,” Richard deadpanned.
His eyes widened as he caught sight of Lord Suttington perusing the refreshments table.
“Pardon me, I must?—”
“I will leave by the time you return—if you return. I just came to see you so that I could assure William that you are doing well if he ever came to ask me. In my dreams if I am ever so lucky,” she said softly. “I am happy you did as he asked and married a kind lady. She seemed so lovely when I saw her earlier. Be good to her, Richard.”
Richard’s heart shook slightly, and he forced himself to keep his expression blank, for both their sakes, as he replied, “I’ll do my best.”
She grinned and shooed him away. “That’s more than enough, then.”
As he walked away, the pleasantness of their conversation lingered in his heart.
Richard had not expected his brother’s old friend to be at his ball, but her presence had been greatly welcome. William had loved them both dearly, and it was nice to commiserate for a moment.
Shifting his attention to Lord Suttington, Richard quickened his pace to catch the man before he slipped away yet again, clearing his throat once he was standing directly behind him.
“Excuse me?—”
