Stepping inside, with Lord Richmond and Lord Elmsford just behind him, Hugh was met by the open arms of a lady he did not recognize, her smile spreading wide across her face… only for her to then frown and step back, her arms dropping to her sides.
“You do not appear to be Lord Kelling,” he said, attempting to sound matter-of-fact. “I must be in the wrong room.”
The lady’s frown grew.
“You were looking for Lord Kelling?” Her frown began to fade away as her eyes opened a little wider. “Mayhapheis the gentleman I thought to be arriving here.”
Lord Elmsford cleared his throat and caught her attention.
“You do not know who you are meeting, Lady Duthell?”
“I do not,” she replied, no ounce of embarrassment in her expression. She was, Hugh recalled, meant to be as blithe as could be as regarded her standing here, and her personal preferences. Which meant she did not care what they thought of her. “I was only told by a footman that there was a gentleman requesting my company in the parlor.”
Hugh spread out his hands, doing his best to put on an expression of regret.
“Alas, none of us are the gentleman who has requested your company, Lady Duthell. Forgive us for the intrusion. We must have all arrived at the wrong moment.”
“But of course, I quite understand. I shall linger here, however, in the hope that he might appear!”
She laughed and, though Hugh did his best to smile, the realization of what might have occurred had he arrived in this parlor without his friends with him slammed hard into his mind. Shuddering lightly, he turned and made to step out of the room – only for the door to fling open and another gentleman to step inside.
“You there!” the newcomer exclaimed, his eyes wide and one finger pointing directly into Hugh’s chest. “You have been…”
Hugh smiled to himself as the gentleman’s eyes roved around the room, taking in not only Lady Duthell but also the presence of Lord Elmsford and Lord Richmond.
“Lord Locksley? Are you looking for Lady Duthell? She has been waiting for someone and I am afraid that it is not any of us!”
This suggestion made Lord Locksley’s eyes flare wide and the hand which had been pointing directly at Hugh quickly fell back to his side.
“I – I am not.”
“Then why are you in the parlor?” Lord Elmsford asked, sounding as innocent as might be, though Hugh knew all toowell that the question was a pressing one, meant to try to uncover who had sent him here. Hugh watched the changing emotions flitting across the gentleman’s face, silently wondering ifhewas the one who had been attempting to throw all manner of gossip around London, though quite why he would do so, Hugh did not know. They were barely acquainted.
“I was… that is to say, I heard that there was something of concern and I came to make certain that all was quite well.” Lord Locksley drew himself up to his full height, though there was still a flicker in his eyes which did not fade. “It is a gentleman’s duty to make certain that the lady is protected.”
“Then you were concerned for Lady Duthell?” Lord Elmsford asked, the question sending Lord Locksley’s eyes wider than ever before. “That is very good of you, I must say. I did not think that the lady needed protecting.”
“I certainly do not!” Lady Duthell stepped forward, her eyes flashing, though they softened when she took in Lord Locksley. “Though I am grateful for your concern, of course.”
Hugh lifted an eyebrow, his eyes going from the lady to Lord Locksley and noting now the gentleman’s face filled with color. Uncertain as to whether this gentleman was acquainted with Lady Duthell, he let himself smile as Lord Locksley simply nodded, made to say something and then, clearly thinking better of it, turned away.
“Well, that was very rude, I must say!” Lady Duthell pouted, her hands going to her hips. “What sort of gentleman ignores a lady such as myself?”
“I think he was a little embarrassed,” Hugh replied, smiling at Lady Duthell. “But now that he has taken his leave, we must take ours also. Do excuse us.”
Lady Duthell nodded, looking up at him again.
“Are you quite certain that you are not the gentleman I was meant to be meeting?”
“Alas, no.” Hugh put one hand to his heart and kept his smile in place. “Would you wish for us to accompany you back to the ballroom?”
The lady let out a soft sigh and shook her head.
“No, thank you. For the moment, I think I shall linger here a little longer, just in case the gentleman – whoever he is – decides that he shall appear once you have all taken your leave.”
Hugh smiled, excused himself again, and then left the room, his friends following after him. It was not until they had returned to the ballroom, and each had picked up a drink from the tray held by one of the footmen that Hugh let his smile fade.
“That was all very carefully planned,” he murmured, as Lord Elmsford nodded, and Lord Richmond took a sip of his brandy. “I do not know who sent Lord Locksley into that room and–”
