Love Finds Lord Davingdale (4 page)

William was not at home, however, Quiggins
brought him down the hall where Lady Penelope welcomed him into the
yellow salon.

“Davingdale, it is so nice to see you,” she
said.

Thomas bent low over her hand. “Lady Pen,
always a pleasure.”

“Do sit down, would you care for a cup of
tea? Quiggins was just bringing me one.”

“That would be lovely, yes, thank you.”
Thomas should have beaten a hasty retreat, but he liked William’s
wife. When she wasn’t matchmaking, there was nothing to compare to
her sparkling wit and vivacious intellect, especially when it came
to horses. He’d never met another woman quite so enamoured of
equine pursuits.

Penny sat and said, “Tell me about the little
mare you have found for William’s niece. You call her Lovely, do
you not?”

Quiggins brought the tea tray, and she and
Thomas talked of the horses now inhabiting the barn at Merrit
Manor.

“William has related he wishes to move the
animals to Westerly before the snow falls,” she said.

“Aye, was supposed to have been done already,
but without knowing when Iona was to foal, we did not want to take
the chance of losing her. ‘Tis a long way to drive the animals, and
we were also not sure how Lovely would have fared. I believe we may
over winter them here in St. John’s this year. Perhaps in the
spring we could take them over.”

“I should very much like to come down to your
manor and take a look at them one day.”

“You are always welcome, Lady Pen.” The clock
struck eleven. “Thank you for your company, but I believe I must
take my leave. My uncle is at the bookshop and I must retrieve
him.” Thomas stood.

Penny stood as well. “You
are
coming
to the ball tonight, are you not?” She walked with him out to the
hall.

“How could I miss it?” Thomas asked.

“Even knowing I have several women to whom I
would like to introduce you?” The twinkling in her eye made Thomas
laugh.

“Lady Pen, I’m sure William has mentioned
that I am not looking for a wife at this time. Do you not have
another chap you could foist your unmarried friends upon?”

“As a matter of fact, I have several, but you
are my especial favorite. I long for you to be comfortable,
Davingdale. You are such a good friend to my William, and I only
wish to repay all your many kindnesses to him, to us. A wife would
bring you so much joy.”

Thomas stopped at the front door and took her
hands in his. “Lady Penelope, I cherish the friendship I hold with
William and now, with you.” He paused. “I will tell you a secret,
but only so that you will refrain from your matchmaking this
evening.”

Penny’s eyes lit up like a child opening a
present.

“I have met a woman and soon hope to secure a
place in her heart. Now, that is all I will tell you, so you must
be content.” He didn’t dare ask if she knew Ophelia. That would
lead to many questions he did not want to ask or answer.

She squeezed his hands. “Oh, Davingdale, that
is such wonderful news. I wish you every happiness.”

“I have only just met her so there is still
some debate we will suit, but I have every notion that we will. I
dare say you would like her very much if you could meet her.”

“I am sure that I shall. And I promise, no
matchmaking this evening.” She smiled.

Thomas kissed both her hands. “You are too
good by half, Lady Pen. I will see you this evening.” He took his
hat and coat from Quiggins and departed Caymore House.

Harry was in fine mettle when they arrived
for luncheon at the club, and Thomas listened to his great uncle
blather on about his books. Two hours later, they drove to the
Bainbridge, as Harry hadn’t been in awhile and had coffee and
dessert with a few of his old friends there. By the time they
headed back to Merrit Manor, the sun was sloping in the west and
Thomas wanted to check Iona and her foal before he washed and
dressed for the ball. Graves would have taken care of anything of
import, but Thomas worried about the little black filly. The
weather was biting and he wanted to make sure the drafts in the old
barn didn’t work their way into her lungs.

After checking his horses, and partaking of a
cozy dinner with Harry and Aggie by the fire in the kitchen, Thomas
took himself up to his rooms, and bathed and dressed for the ball.
Thankfully, black never went out of style. Although a little
careworn in the cuffs, the suit was still serviceable. He brushed
his hair back from his face and tied it back in a queue. Wouldn’t
do to look like a libertine, just in case he met with Ophelia.
Wouldn’t that be a surprise to both of them? However, he doubted
very much if Ophelia would be attending his friend’s lavish affair.
With her serviceable coat and bonnet, and the meager estate of her
cousin, Lady Cummings, Thomas did not for one moment think Ophelia
was anything more than landed gentry. An invitation for her to
attend Lady Pen’s ball was ludicrous.

He made his way downstairs to the library to
say good-bye to Harry before he left.

“How do I look?” Thomas asked.

“Like any of the swells attending,” Harry
said barely looking up from his new book.

“What of my cravat? I tied it myself.”
Usually, Harry had to tie it for him.

Harry looked up and his eyebrow rose. “Did
you? Your arm is working this evening?”

“Yes, did I not mention it? It seems when I
rescued Miss Cummings I regained almost all the strength back.”

“Well, that is good news, my boy, excellent
news in fact. I must remember to thank the chit when I meet
her.”

Thomas smiled. “Let us hope that will be
soon, Uncle. Well, I am off. Do not wait up.”

Harry chuckled. “As if I would. Take every
opportunity to enjoy yourself.”

Thomas departed and made his way out to the
barn. Graves had set out long before to attend Miss Cummings with
the carriage, and as Thomas saddled Helios, he wondered again if
Ophelia would be at the ball.

Thomas slipped into the library before
heading upstairs to greet his hosts. There he found Robert, his
good friend, the Duke of Cantin, and they shared a short tot
together.

“Where have you been?” Robert asked. “I
presumed you would be here earlier for drinks in the salon.”

Thomas smiled. “Tell me, Robert, how many
single females were in attendance this evening?”

“Oh, I would hazard to guess three, although
I did not make their acquaintance.”

“Yes, and I’m sure Lady Pen has several more
in the wings.” Thomas grimaced. “She is on a mission to secure me a
wife.”

Robert laughed. “That is what William told
me, but I did not think it true. I would have thought she’d given
up the notion of matchmaking after Winsbarren.”

“Winsbarren was lucky he found his own wife.
It seems Lady Pen has taken up the idea of matchmaking as an art
form, and I am her latest subject.”

“You could do no worse than to have Penny by
your side.”

“Oh, but it is all so
tedious
. The
women she introduces me to are all fluff and no substance. Not one
of them has an intelligent thought in her head.”

“Ha! You mean the lady in question does not
give a fig about horses is what you are trying to say.”

Thomas drained his glass. “You know me too
well. Come, shall you accompany me upstairs? Perhaps help me fend
off whomever it is Lady Pen will foist upon me.”

“As you wish.”

The two men headed to the ballroom.

Thomas stopped greet to several acquaintance
and lost Robert in the throng of guests. In the corner of the room
where Robert now stood, he spied a young woman dressed in a strange
looking gown talking to the wives of his friends. This must be one
of Lady Pen’s introductions. She was handsome enough, but not
enough to tempt him. Well, he would play the cad and not offer an
introduction. He slowly made his way over and stood with Will’s
brother, the Marquess of Haverlane.

When the dancing commenced, Thomas took
himself off to the refreshment table in the dining room. He had
gained a reputation that he was no dancer, although secretly he
enjoyed it. Or rather, he had when he had the use of both arms.
With his left arm in such a contrary state, he did not wish to
embarrass himself this evening. He would rather wait until he knew
it would not give out on him. There was nothing worse than looking
the fool on a dance floor.

He had just picked up a glass of champagne
when he heard his name spoken. He turned and found himself face to
face with Lady Olivia, Lady Pen’s dowager aunt and the bane of
existence for half the men in England. Notorious for meddling in
other’s affairs, especially in Parliamental affairs, she was a
harridan of the first water. However, if she liked you, her
kindness knew no bounds. Thomas wasn’t sure where he stood with
her.

“Lady Olivia, how do you do?” He bowed. He
could not ignore her acquaintance.

“Very well, Davingdale, and yourself?” she
picked up a glass of lemonade.

“Very well, thank you. You are looking lovely
this evening,” he said.

She shot him a quick smile. “How is your
uncle?”

“He is well, thank you for asking. May I
present him with your regards?”

“Of course.” She gave him the once over. “I
must say, you are looking better than I’ve ever seen you,
Davingdale. How do you fare with your injury?”

He flexed his left arm. “Very well indeed,
Lady Olivia. It seems the strength has finally returned, although
I’m not sure for how long.”

“That is very good news. I’m glad to hear it.
William tells me you have been doing a lot of work to Merrit Manor
these days.”

“Yes, my lady. My venture with William has
brought much needed capital to the project. I fear poor Harry had
to endure rather pallid conditions after I went into the Army.”

Lady Olivia touched his arm. “Yes, but that
could not be helped.”

“No, it could not.” Everyone knew the story
of his father and his squandering away the family fortune. Thomas
had been left no choice but to join the Army.

“But now, here you are, hale and whole,
bringing the Davingdale title back to its former glory.”

Thomas bowed his head to accept the
compliment.

“I believe Penny means to give a small
luncheon on the morrow. Just our good friends. With all she has to
do this evening, I do not doubt she would forget to invite you, so
here I shall. Say, two o’clock. Why do not you invite your uncle as
well? I’m sure he would find the afternoon diverting.”

“Thank you very much, Lady Olivia. I look
forward to it. However, I do not know if Harry will attend. He has
recently acquired several new books to peruse on his thesis so I’m
not sure if he would tear himself away.”

Lady Olivia laughed. “Still thinking he can
make mere mortals out of gods, is he? Well, good for him. Very
well, I shall see you at luncheon.”

She walked away and Thomas shook his head.
What was
that
all about?

Thomas met some friends of his Uncle Harry
and spoke to them for the better part of an hour, before heading
downstairs to the library. A few quick games of cards landed him
with an extra twenty pounds in his pocket. Perhaps he could afford
the boots he had seen in Hoby’s window this morning. Back upstairs,
he found William and told him about the new foal. William was
delighted. Robert and his sister, the Marchioness of Emmons joined
them and they engaged in conversation about Lovely for quite some
time. Robert’s wife, Lady Fiona, claimed him for a dance, and
William escorted his cousin, the Marchioness to the floor.

Thomas found himself standing next to the
woman wearing the odd-looking gown. He glanced down and found her
squinting at him, a smile glued to her face. Under such scrutiny,
Thomas grew uncomfortable.

“Forgive me,” she said. “We have not been
introduced. My name is Miss Trent.”

“Davingdale,” he said perhaps a bit too
gruffly. She did not seem put off.

“Is this not a lovely evening?” She sighed
rapturously.

“Yes, if you like these affairs.” Davingdale
hoped his curt responses would limit her chatter.

“You are not having a pleasant time?”

“I am here reluctantly. I do not generally
attend these events.” He hoped that would be enough to deter her
from wishing to speak to him again.

“Ah, Davingdale,” Lady Penelope said as she
approached them. “Have you met our lovely Miss Trent?”

“Yes, Lady Pen, we have been introduced.” He
raised his brow at her.

“Delightful. Pray, why do not you take her
for a turn then? I hear the musicians tuning a waltz. The first of
the evening.”

“Forgive me,” he said. “As you know, I do not
dance. If you would excuse me.” He nodded to both women and walked
away feeling like the veriest churl. He prayed Lady Pen would
forgive him for insulting her friend, but Thomas could not stand
the way the woman seemed to be inspecting him, as if looking to
find fault. Her too-close examination disconcerted him. However,
that was no excuse for his boorish behaviour. He would make his
apologies to Lady Pen on the morrow.

Finding his way downstairs once again, he
refused to leave the card table. He had no need to remain in the
ballroom, especially if Lady Pen was up to mischief. He won another
thirty-five pounds from two drunken dandies who thought they were
brilliant at card tricks. His years with the regiment had taught
him every one in the book. As the clock struck one, Thomas felt it
was time to say good-bye to his hosts. Morning chores with the
horses came early.

Upstairs, he could not find Lady Pen, or
William. It was of no consequence, he would see them at luncheon
the next day. He raced down the stairs, as he could not help the
feeling someone followed him. He had no wish to turn around, his
only desire, to ride as fast as he could through the frigid air and
find his bed.