“The Marquess of Seaton.” Lady Winterbrook glanced in Constance’s direction. “A most amiable gentleman, I think.”
“Yes, I quite agree,” Constance stated without hesitation. “However, I am ashamed to say that I could not remember his name, and confess how grateful I am to you for your aid.”
“But of course.” Lady Winterbrook laughed and put her arm through Constance’s. “However, I am certain that you will not forget anything about him now. Not now that you have been in his company, seen his smile, and recalled his title.”
Constance opened her mouth to say that she had no intention of forgetting the gentleman’s title, for one embarrassment wasmorethan enough, only to realize what her friend meant. With a slightly choked laugh, she looked away so that her eyes were no longer lingering on Lord Seaton.
“You think I ought to consider Lord Seaton?”
“Why should you not?” Lady Winterbrook smiled, leading her across the room in search of Lady Yardley. “Perhaps it may be that this meeting will lead to something quite remarkable, just as you desire.”
With a sigh, Constance shook her head, dismissing Lady Winterbrook’s remarks, thinking of them as nothing more than a jest. The chances of such a thing happening were so very small, to her mind, that she did not consider it even a remote possibility. With this, she cast Lord Seaton from her mind and turned her thoughts to Lady Yardley instead.
Chapter Three
There was a loud exclamation, but Adam paid very little attention. He had been enjoying the evening thus far and such chatter was to be expected at a social occasion such as this. It had been a few days now since he had been told by Lady Margaret that his love was nothing more than a jest and, since then, he had done his utmost to make sure that every thought of her was pushed aside almost as quickly as it came. To his surprise – and his relief – it had not been as difficult as he’d anticipated. Mayhap, he considered, now that he knew of her true character, it was easier to dismiss the feelings which had bound him to her.
And because new acquaintances have brought my heart a little levity.
He smiled as he thought of Miss Millington, only to chase that thought away and pull his smile straight. He was not going to allow his heart to be caught up all over again so quickly. No doubt that would only lead to yet more pain.
“You are not dancing this evening? I do not think that I have seen you stand up once with a young lady, even though there are many standing along the sides of the ballroom.”
Adam shook his head as his friend came towards him.
“Good evening, Lord Dennington.” His shoulders lifted. “No, I am not to dance this evening. I am quite contented as I am.”
Lord Dennington’s lips twisted.
“You are not about to state that it is because you are pining for Lady Margaret, are you?”
Adam only laughed.
“You know me very well and thus, I can see why you might think I was doing so,” he admitted quietly. “No, I am not as melancholy as I have been of late. I choose to stay back, to allow myself to observe rather than engage with people, simply because I wish to.” A small shrug lifted his shoulders. “At times, the hubbub can be a little overwhelming, especially when I have so many thoughts and considerations within me at present.” A slight frown caught his forehead as he looked around. The atmosphere in the ballroom had changed and there were some shrieks and exclamations of excitement which were a little out of the ordinary. He looked back towards Lord Dennington. “As you can see here for yourself!”
Lord Dennington chuckled ruefully.
“There is always some sort of gossip or rumor flying around, is there not?”
Adam sighed heavily.
“I do not doubt that whateverthisis,” he gestured to his left, to where a small group of ladies were clustered around one in particular, with another breaking away from the group to scurry across the room – no doubt to whisper into the ear of someone else. “Whatever it is, it will soon fly away, and then something more will follow it.
“Just so long as these whispers are not about either of us, we can safely ignore them.”
Lord Dennington laughed as Adam grinned.
“I can easily admit that I have done nothing worthy of gossip.”
His grin was immediately wiped from his face as he recalledpreciselywhat he had done which might cause gossip to fly around about him… should Lady Margaret decide to tell thetonabout what he had done in expressing his love for her. He could only pray that she would not. Thus far, he had been quite safe, but that could change at any moment.
“Whatever it is, it has certainly caused a stir.” Frowning, Lord Dennington came to stand closer to Adam, his eyebrows lifting as the noise in the ballroom rose a little more. “Something momentous must have taken place.” Swinging around towards Adam, he shrugged. “I confess that, while I am not usually enamored of gossip, I am now eager to discover what this is all about.” Adam wanted to state that he had no interest whatsoever, but the words died on his lips. He could not speak such an untruth. Whilst he was unwilling to admit to as much aloud, inwardly he knew that he was just as eager as his friend. “I think I shall go and discover what is being said.” Lord Dennington grinned as Adam smiled at him. “Should you like to join me? Or shall I come back and tell you once I have learned all about it?”
“I should not like you to tire yourself by having to repeat all you have learned.” Seeing Lord Dennington’s grin, he laughed and shook his head. “I can see that there is no use in pretending that I have no interest. There is something which has taken place and yes, I am now eager to know of it. Who shall we ask?”
“Why do we not go to these young ladies here?” Lord Dennington gestured to a small group of young ladies and as they made their way forward, Lord Dennington opened his arms wide and smiled warmly. “My dear ladies, mayhap you might be of aid to us. We were in very pleasant conversation, only to see you all begin to speak and whisper together. I believe that you speak of me, but my friend believes you speak of him!” With a wink, he smiled at each young lady before glancing at Adam, who only grinned. “We would very much like to know who it is that you all speak of.”
Lord Dennington’s easy manner had the young ladies giggling and glancing at each other until one was bold enough to answer his question.
