“I humbly beg your pardon. I did not realize that you were in conversation already.”
To his surprise, the young lady, to whom he had not been introduced, laughed and waved her hand.
"Pray do not concern yourself, Lord Wiltsham. I do not mind making a new acquaintance. And I have no frustration at being so interrupted when your kind compliments make Miss Lawrence smile so.”
“I thank you.” Benjamin clicked his heels together and gave her a small bow. “But my apology remains.”
Miss Lawrence held out one hand towards him, speaking directly to the young lady.
“Miss Carshaw, this is the Earl of Wiltsham, one of the finest men in all of England. Lord Wiltsham, this is Miss Julia Carshaw. Her brother is a Viscount Kingston, and they have recently returned to London for the Season.”
“Miss Carshaw.”
Benjamin was about to drop into what would have been his third bow, only to stop himself from doing so just in time. The young lady’s eyes glinted with either mirth or mockery, and Benjamin found himself suddenly eager to take his leave. He could not have an open and easy conversation with Miss Lawrence, not with a young lady such as this present. Did this Miss Carshaw know of what had been said about him? Was she aware of everything thetonwas whispering about him?
“I shall not interrupt your conversation any longer. Forgive me. I do hope that you both enjoy the evening.”
Aware that his reaction was a little abrupt, Benjamin hurried from their company regardless, lost somewhere between embarrassment and discomfiture. He was not quite certain that he liked this Miss Carshaw, with those wickedly glinting eyes. Besides which, she had appeared very forward and had laughed and spoken so distinctly that he found him considering her a little improper.
Unless I am simply determined to find fault with her.
What he did not notice was the young lady watching him as he stepped away, her eyes following his every movement until he disappeared into the crowd and could no longer be seen. For him, however, after only a few minutes, she was completely forgotten, and Benjamin once more bent his mind to the task of returning to society, only hoping that his disguise of once more being a wealthy gentleman would remain intact for as long as he required it.
Chapter Four
“That was a little abrupt, was it not?”
“I shall admit that it was, which is most unlike Lord Wiltsham. He is not a gentleman to behave in any rude manner, although perhaps, given that this is his first foray into society since he has returned to London, he may be feeling a little...”
Noticing that her new acquaintance did not finish her sentence Julia thought to finish it for her.
“Is he a little overwhelmed, mayhap? Distracted by the many people who have come to greet him?”
“I should certainly say that he is a little distracted.” Miss Lawrence smiled, but it faded quickly. “He is an excellent gentleman. I am sure that whatever is troubling him will pass soon enough.”
Julia did not hesitate.
“And what is it that troubles him so?”
Miss Lawrence blinked quickly and turned her gaze back in Julia’s direction as a spot of color came into each cheek.
“I… I could not say. Not for certain, anyway. I know a little of his present situation, of course, but that is mostly to do with his townhouse, and I am quite certain that it will be resolved soon enough.”
A little surprised at how quickly the lady spoke in response, Julia’s curiosity grew all the more.
“And what is it about his townhouse that is so troublesome?”
Miss Lawrence cleared her throat gently and looked away again.
“There is nothing particularly troublesome, I suppose, although it must be difficult not to reside at one’s own house during the Season.” Pre-empting Julia’s next question. Miss Lawrence gave her a quick smile. “He is making many improvements to his house, I believe.”
“I see. It is very good of Lord Foster to permit Lord Wiltsham to reside with him for so long.”
Miss Lawrence laughed.
“I have no doubt that Lord Foster would be glad to have his friend reside here for as long as he wished. They are very dear friends. I am quite certain that he does not find it a trial in the least.”
“Then is there much time left before these improvements are to be completed?”
