The fact that he simply wanted to see Lady Rose had no bearing on his decision, of course. Anthony was beginning to think he might have a problem, though. For a man who ought to only be pretending to be in love, he certainly was also eager to greet Lady Bridget the moment that she set foot on his property.
It was the art show that had changed things. Something about examining such a salacious painting alongside her had altered the way he thought about Lady Bridget. If she had notgazed at that painting with such raw fascination, he would not have ever thought anything further of her.
“You are playing the role well,” Lady Rose murmured, pausing to cast a brilliant smile at Mr. Russell, who had just joined them. “Mr. Russell, it is good to see you!”
“Likewise,” Mr. Russell said. “Thank you for extending the invitation.”
“It was my pleasure,” Lady Rose replied. “I imagine that it is really Anna who you are hoping to see, rather than me, however.”
Mr. Russell cast Anthony a sheepish glance.
“Lady Anna? The Duke of Hamilton’s daughter?” Anthony asked.
“The very same,” Mr. Russell replied.
It seemed Anthony was not the only man who found one of the Duke of Norfolk’s daughters charming. His lips twitched in amusement. It seemed as though Mr. Russell’s attachment had come about rather quickly, and Anthony supposed his fondness for Lady Bridget had occurred in much the same way.
“You are very fortunate if she is as fond of you as you are of her,” Lady Rose said. “Lady Anna is a rare gem among the ladies of the ton. I have never seen anyone with such boundless passion and enthusiasm.”
“I agree,” Mr. Russell said.
Anthony thought of the Duke of Norfolk’s other daughter. He suspected Lady Anna’s passion and enthusiasm might very well be matched by that of her sister Lady Bridget.
A knot tightened in Anthony’s chest. He thought of all the little shows of intimacy that a couple would be expected to display during their courtship. He thought of escorting Lady Bridget through the gardens, her delicate hand on his arm and her shoulder brushing against his. He thought of wrapping an arm around her waist and dancing with her, of slipping away to the gardens with her, and of kissing her in a shaded corner, accompanied only by the sweet scent of roses.
“Well, I am sure that you shall both see the ladies soon enough,” Lady Victoria interrupted. “But you are both standing in the entryway, and we have many more guests to greet.”
“My apologies,” said Mr. Russell, ducking his head. “I shall move away at once.”
Anthony nodded in agreement, and the two men moved aside. Mr. Russell chuckled and gave Anthony a self-deprecating glance.
“Yes?” Anthony asked, suspecting that something weighed on the man’s mind.
“I thought I overheard something about you expecting a lady,” Mr. Russell said. “Who is it, Your Grace?”
Anthony did not quite think he and Mr. Russell knew one another well enough for him to ask questions like that, but the point was not worth arguing.
“Lady Bridget,” he said instead.
“Ah. The elder sister.”
Actually, this conversation with Mr. Russell might be very beneficial, indeed. If Anthony wanted the ton to believe that he was courting Lady Bridget, he needed a few people to spread the word.
“I am utterly besotted with her,” Anthony said. “She is all that I think of, day and night. In truth, I begged Lady Victoria to arrange this garden party just so I could spend more time with Lady Bridget.”
“How romantic!”
Anthony nodded. “I had hoped she and I might be able to formally announce our courtship today. I adore her so much that I feel as if the whole world must know about my love for her!”
Mr. Russell nodded vigorously. “Such love is rare in this world. You have all my best wishes, Your Grace.”
Mr. Russell sounded so sincere that Anthony almost felt a little bad for lying so extravagantly—almost. Another part of him delighted in it. Playing the role of a lovesick paramour was far more thrilling than he had anticipated it being. Maybe it was because he missed being that man, the hopeless romantic who felt the need to declare his love before everyone.
“That is kind of you,” Anthony said. “I hope your romance with Lady Anna is equally successful.”
Mr. Russell’s easy smile faltered. “We shall see,” he replied. “I know that Lady Anna has expectations which she must meet. She is expected to marry a man of a certain rank, and I fear I may be insufficient.”
“Do not accept defeat yet,” Anthony said. “Lady Rose’s father was not one of the ton either. He was a solicitor.”
