Anthony returned the gesture, forcing a smile. Lord Hastings had known about his wife’s indiscretions when he agreed to marry her, but he had not known whom his bride had been with. Anthony wondered sometimes if Lady Hastings had ever told him, but he could not think of a way to ask without making the situation more awkward.
“Lord Hastings,” Anthony said, forcing his voice to be light and jovial. “Lady Hastings, I am so pleased you were able to join us. Lady Victoria and Lady Rose did work so very hard on the arrangements.”
He gestured to the gardens, where a pavilion had been pitched, and to the tables laden with food and drink. His staff hurried about, ensuring that the needs of all the lords and ladies were being met.
“It will be good for Lady Victoria to have something with which to occupy her time,” Lord Hastings said. “I have heard that she has been consumed with grief since her husband passed.”
Anthony nodded. “She has been.”
Lord Hastings snorted. “Well, I suppose she shall have the chance to marry a proper man from the ton now. I can still scarcely believe she chose to wed a lawyer of all things.”
“I suppose she loved him,” Anthony said.
He had never met Lady Victoria’s husband, but Lord Hastings’s dismissive tone made Anthony’s blood boil. Lord Hastings had married a young lady decades younger than himself, knowing she had not even wanted to wed him. Who was he to judge Lady Victoria for wanting to marry the man she loved?
“I suppose,” Lord Hastings said. “How is the daughter? She seems as though she knows how to behave like a lady.”
“She does,” Anthony said.
“I am sure she will have no shortage of suitors regardless,” Lady Hastings said, “with you as her guardian.”
“Indeed,” Lord Hastings said. “I am surprised the young lady is not already all that the ton is talking about. An eligible young miss with an extensive dowry is certain to be a topic of interest.”
Anthony was unsure if Lord Hastings intended for that comment to be a slight.
“I am sure that Lady Rose will receive more than her share of suitors,” Anthony said. “I am guiding her, as is her mother.”
“It is a pity that the dowager duchess is away,” Lord Hastings said, shaking his head. “I am sure Lady Rose would find her assistance invaluable.”
“For certain,” Lady Hastings agreed.
Anthony was certain there was some criticism being made of his behavior, but he offered only a small shrug. What was he to do? Tell Catherine that she could not do whatever she wished? That hardly seemed fair to a grieving woman.
“I am sure everything will be well,” Anthony said. “Besides, Lady Rose is young. If she does not find a suitable match this Season, it will be no hardship to try for the next one.”
Lord Hastings nodded. “Well, I suppose that is true. If she cannot find a lord, however, you may be forced to consider a working man.”
“Like her father was” went unsaid. Anthony clenched his jaw, fighting the impulse to say something that he might regret.
“We should not detain His Grace any longer,” Lady Hastings said. “I am certain that he has other guests with whom he needs to speak.”
Lord Hastings gave her an exasperated glance but nevertheless nodded his assent. “Well. I suppose we shall speak again later.”
Anthony nodded. “I suppose so.”
Lord and Lady Hastings headed further into the gardens, and Anthony felt a shiver of unease claw at his chest. If he had to speak to them again, it would be all too soon.
Instead, he walked toward the garden entrance, keeping a small distance between himself and the ladies to ensure that he was not coaxed into greeting the guests alongside them. Lady Victoria was having another good day. In her lilac gown, she looked beautiful and bright, as if she were a flower blooming in the warmth of spring. Beside her, Lady Rose was wearing pale pink.
Anthony found himself searching for Lady Bridget among the ton’s brightly clad ladies, but there was no sign of her yet. It was only because they were supposed to be courting. That was why he searched. Anthony crossed his arms, trying to decide if it was for better or worse that he did not quite believe that.
Surely, there was no shame in enjoying a lovely woman’s company. Any man would find Lady Bridget to be delightful. It was only that every time he thought about her, he thought about all the love he had lost and the errors he had made. He enjoyed the thought of pretending to court her. Anthony wanted to tell himself that he was merely performing a service for the young lady, doing something that would please her and help her. He knew there was something more, though. He was too fascinated with this young lady for his intentions to be entirely altruistic.
Unable to bear the anticipation any longer, Anthony approached Lady Rose. “I do not see your friend yet,” he said.
Lady Rose laughed. “Eager to see your beloved?” she teased.
“Well, I am trying to play the role of a devoted suitor,” Anthony said.
