Sebastian turned away, not particularly wanting to watch the giggling and flirting that would no doubt be what happened next. He returned his attention instead to Lord Langley. His conversation with Lord Harrow – for he was sure now that that was who he was talking to, as there was a resemblance between the older man and Miss Felicity around the eyes and the jawline – seemed to be rather intense.
Sebastian wished he was standing a little closer so he could hear what they were saying. But he would have to be patient, he knew.
The house party lay ahead, and he was sure that over the several days he was going to spend at the Evermere estate, there would be plenty of opportunities to learn more about Lord Langley and his involvement in Sebastian’s father’s downfall. He just had to be patient and bide his time, and he was certain that the truth would eventually reveal itself to him.
***
George Langley glanced over at Lord Ashcroft, then turned back to Lord Harrow.
“Victor, it is definitely him,” he said in a low voice. “The Viscount Lord Ashcroft is Julian Ashcroft’s son. The late Julian Ashcroft. It was like seeing a ghost. I cannot believe that I had not made the connection before that the lady Lord Sterling married was previously the wife of our old friend and business associate.
Victor followed his gaze, then let out a grunt. “And what of it?”
“Do you not think it is the most alarming coincidence? That I have invited Lord and Lady Sterling here, at the request of the Duke of Wexington, to help them to further their business connections, and they bring with them the son of our old friend and business partner?”
“I would not say that it is alarming,” Victor replied. “It is just one of those things. People remarry when they have been widowed. Families come together in strange ways. I do not think it is worth getting worked up about.”
“But how he looked at me when we were introduced, Victor!” George went on, a note of panic in his voice. “He is the spitting image of his father. It is most unnerving. And there was not a hint of shame about him. He is clearly not ashamed of what happened to his father.
Many young men would cower under a history such as that, but not Lord Ashcroft. I am sure that he knows there was a connection between myself and his father. And he looked at me as if trying to delve into my soul. That boy knows there are secrets to be revealed; mark my words.”
Victor huffed. “For goodness sake, Langley, do not be so dramatic. We are at a ball. We are supposed to concentrate on finding husbands for our daughters, not panicking about some young man nobody has seen in society for years, if at all.”
George paused for a moment. “I do wonder why he had not been in society much now that you come to mention it. It is strange that we have not met before. And now he will be here with us under the same roof for several days. Does it not make you feel a little anxious, at least?”
Victor rolled his eyes. “It does not make me in the slightest bit anxious. And as to why we have not seen him much in society, you know as well as I do that privileged young men like him will have spent time gallivanting around the continent.
And then they come back full of stories and loaded down with trinkets, believing themselves to be better than the men they have left behind. No doubt he has done the Grand Tour and has absolutely nothing else to talk about, nor will do for several years to come.”
George chuckled. “Forgive me, Victor, but you sound rather bitter.”
Victor shook his head. “I am not in the slightest bit bitter. I simply had to listen to Felicity going on about how wonderful Lord Ashcroft is and how he had told her all about his adventures in Italy. Then she said that she hopes she can marry a man who will show her the world! Indeed! I told her that she had better moderate her expectations if she wants to have a happy life.”
George sighed. He had watched Isabella dancing with the Duke of Harbridge and noticed she did not seem to enjoy herself very much. He could only hope that she was holding back out of modesty or some other such feminine wile. He would have to speak to her later about it. But now, he needed to convince Victor that they needed to take notice of Lord Ashcroft’s presence.
“Do you not think I should speak to him about his father?” George said. “I am sure that the young man feels there is something missing in his knowledge about what happened. I feel rather sorry for him, having had to live through the shame of his father’s downfall at such a young age.”
Victor turned and glared at him, a brooding look in his dark eyes. “I think you should ignore the whole thing, Langley,” he said firmly. “What good can come from delving into the past? You cannot know what dangers that might present. We must pretend that the whole thing never happened.
Surely you would prefer to enjoy the festivities and play the jovial host rather than digging into the past? Trust me when I tell you that it is not a good idea. Not a good idea at all.” He stopped and looked around the room. “Now, do you know when there is going to be something to eat? I must confess that all this socializing is making me hungry.”
George shrugged. “I have no idea. Eleanor deals with all of that. But I’m sure it will be time to eat soon.”
Victor huffed. “Well, I shall just have to go and find another drink then,” he said. “it’s rather hot in here, isn’t it?”
George nodded and watched Lord Harrow walking away. His warning was rather disconcerting, but perhaps he was right. There was no need to delve into the past.
But he could not forget the look in Lord Ashcroft’s eyes when they had exchanged their greeting. The boy seemed to be somehow challenging him, and George did not like it. He was going to have to be careful this week. Revelations of the past could cause his whole life to come crashing down around his ears.
Chapter 8
“Do cheer up, Isabella!” Daphne chided her friend as they stood together a little distance away from the dance floor.
Isabella forced a smile. She knew her friend was right, and she should be trying harder to enjoy herself and the festive atmosphere in the ballroom, but something was keeping her from fully relaxing.
She glanced around the room, softly lit by hundreds of candles burning in every corner of the room, and allowed herself to marvel at the effect. Her mother and the household staff truly had done a wonderful job of decorating the room.
“It is rather lovely in here, isn’t it,” she observed. “I like the way that Mother has made sure that all the flower arrangements almost look as if they have come from the forest.”
