Scandalous Redemption (Ladies and Scoundrels #3) (10 page)

Claudia plucked at invisible lint on her skirt. “Might Lord and Lady Luvington be in attendance? I fear they would not be pleased to see me.”

Duchess Abernathy leaned forward and dropped the card in Claudia’s lap. “They are still in Scotland. You really must stop worrying. Lady Luvington is a dear friend and I tell you now, she will harbor no ill will toward you. I am confident on that score.”

Claudia met gaze. “How can you be so certain?”

“Because it is not in her person to do so. Besides, when she discovers the attraction between you and Lord Shillington, she will know you do not have designs on her husband. I would wager she has already forgiven you, considering you had no prior knowledge that she and Lord Luvington had wed. In the end all worked out. She has no reason to hold a grudge.”

Claudia’s breath caught at the mention of Henry. It took her several moments to recover. She knew there was gossip, but she’d never said anything to confirm her feelings for him. Of course, the duchess had suspected as much at the house party. Still, after spending so much time with Duchess Abernathy and never so much as mentioning Henry… “There is nothing between myself and Lord Shillington.”

“Nothing, you say?” The duchess narrowed her eyes.

“Not anymore,” Claudia added in a rush, her cheeks warming.

“Everyone is saying you broke his heart, but I am of the mindset, he broke yours. I am an excellent listener, dear. Should you wish to discuss the situation.” Duchess Abernathy offered a friendly smile.

Claudia waved her fan in an attempt to cool her blazing cheeks. “No hearts have been broken. We shared a mutual attraction, but nothing came of it. Our parting was amicable.”

“More’s the pity. The two of you would make a smashing couple.”

Claudia could not stop herself from wondering if Henry longed for her the way she did for him. Selfishly, she hoped it was the case. More than anything, she wished her desire for him would wane. It really made no sense at all for her to pine over a man she dared not love. He would have to marry. Being heir to an earldom demanded as much. That fact alone made him completely wrong for her.

“Might I pry a bit?” the duchess asked. “I cannot help but wonder if your resistance to appearing in public has less to do with your little peccadillo and more to do with Lord Shillington.”

Claudia could not stop the smile that stretched her lips at the duchess’s accurate appraisal. Nonetheless, she would sooner throw herself into the masses than admit her foolishness. “I am pleased to accept the invitation, Your Grace.”

“Splendid. I will come around with my carriage at ten o’clock to fetch you. We shall be fashionably late.” She set her fan on her lap, offering an unladylike wink. “Have you a gown for the occasion? If not, my modiste is more than capable of completing a frock on short notice.”

Claudia picked up the invitation and studied it. “Thank you, but that is not at all necessary. I ordered a new wardrobe when I came out of mourning. Several of my gowns fit the occasion.” The sapphire silk one she wore the night she and Henry met would be perfect for Almack’s. Her heart gave a strange tug at the thought.

She bit her lip. Perhaps she ought to consider taking a lover after all. Another gentleman in her bed might distract her attention from Henry. She looked at the duchess and wondered if Her Grace had ever had a liaison.

SCANDALOUS REDEMPTION

CHAPTER TEN

Henry stood near
the entrance to the assembly rooms. He and Jane had arrived nearly an hour past and his sister had yet to dance. She could go on and on about not being a wallflower, but the proof was in her ever present roots, which anchored her to the proverbial wall

He made his way through the crush, determined to see her on the dance floor, even if it meant he had to partner with her. The ball was in full swing now, with society’s elite dancing, flirting, and chatting in every spare inch of the space. Yet, Jane stayed aloof, seated with the other wallflowers, her face hidden behind her fan. It never ceased to boggle his mind why she insisted on attending these things when she never bothered to interact. He supposed she deserved some credit for appearing, even if she did remain on the fringes of activity once she arrived.

After making his way across the room, he came to stand before her. “I cannot help but notice you are not dancing, Jane.”

“How very astute of you.” She lowered her fan. “No one has signed my dance card.”

“Have you ever considered it is because you are hiding behind your fan with your back veritably pressed to the wall? For heaven’s sake, no one can see you.” He could not resist pointing out the obvious.

“If you only came over to insult me, then I bid you to be on your way.” Hurt flashed in her eyes.

“On the contrary, I came over to request the next set.” He proffered his arm, quite sorry for his harsh words. He had not intended to inflict injury upon her. Quite the opposite, he wished to aid her in finding a spouse. Going forward, he would have to be more tactful in the way he gave his advice.

She swatted him with her fan before accepting. “Why must you tease me so?”

“I suspect it has to do with being your older brother.” He brought her onto the dance floor as a reel started. “Now mind your steps and smile prettily.”

Her steps were light and in perfect synch, a smile rested on her lips, and her eyes shone as he led her through the dance. With any luck, the nearby gentlemen were noticing her vivacity. Jane was shy by nature, but when she let her guard down, she could be a charmer. Furthermore, she had been blessed with grace. She simply needed someone, or several someones, to grant her the chance.

There was no doubt Jane wished to marry. Unfortunately, her first season had gone by without any potential suitors taking an interest in her. She was now on her third season and seemed to withdraw further into the walls with each passing event. He did so wish a peer or two would notice of how special his sister was. He wished to see her properly wed before she got labeled a spinster and lost the opportunity all together.

Jane placed her hand on top of his as the orchestra played its final note. He turned to lead her from the dance floor, then froze mid-step before lowering his foot back to the floor. A flash of auburn curls caught his attention, and his gaze wandered down Claudia’s form. She stood near the entrance with Lord Keery and Duchess Abernathy. Her tresses were expertly pinned, her body clad in sapphire silk, the same gown she’d donned the night they met. His insides quaked at the vision.

“Are you quite alright?” Jane asked, alarm ringing in her voice.

Move you bloody fool.
Henry took a tentative step, followed by a more decisive one. “I am fine. Do not fret.”

She cut him a sideways glance. “It is hard not to when you look ill.”

He removed his attention from the trio of new comers and walked with more purpose toward Jane’s favorite wall. “I must have over exerted myself. Nothing a moment’s rest will not cure.” The lie soured his tongue.

“Allow me to get you a glass of lemonade. Some refreshment will surely help.”

He nodded.
Lemonade indeed.
Nothing could soothe him at this moment, but he dare not tell Jane. Better to have her fawning over him than guessing the truth. The last thing he wanted was for her to figure out what ailed him. She would never let him hear the end of it.

Jane rushed off toward the refreshments and Henry turned his attention back to Claudia. She was regal, stunning…completely off limits. His heart slammed in his chest as he watched Lord Keery lead her onto the dance floor. How could he remain here and watch Keery seduce her right before his eyes? He cringed when the scoundrel took Claudia into his arms, her silk gown fluttering out around her ankles. Keery was fast becoming his least favorite person.

Though he desperately wanted to, he could not pull his attention away from them. His focus roamed from Claudia to Keery and back again. When the rogue leaned close and a breathtaking smile lit Claudia’s face, Henry’s blood ignited. He took several steps toward them, his hands fisted at his sides, before he caught himself and stilled.

She did not belong to him. It was not his right to storm after her, chasing away the gentlemen who sniffed her skirts. If she allowed Keery to seduce her, it was none of his business. His body quaked in anger at the very same time his heart ached.

Bloody hell, this was more than a mere attraction. He stood primed to fight for her honor as much as her attentions. What a fool he was to have believed he could walk away from her. He loved Claudia. Deeply, truly, with his whole soul, he loved her. And cruelest of all things, he could not have her.

Jane poked him in the arm. “Henry, do mind me. Have you gone daft?”

He released a breath and turned to her, accepting the lemonade she held out to him.

“You are not well at all. We should get you home.” Concern reflected in her wide eyes as she studied his face.

He glanced back at Claudia, snug in Keery’s arms. A deep ache gripped his soul, threatening to shatter him. “Quite right, let us take our leave.” He cringed at the shakiness of his voice.

The carriage ride back to his townhouse passed in a blur. Images of him and Claudia and Keery and Claudia circled his mind. All the while, Jane fussed over him and tried to insist on sending for the doctor. He used what focus he could summon to convince her that such extremes were not necessary.

Now he sat behind the mahogany desk in his office nursing a bottle of port. A half-empty snifter rested in his hand as he stared through the crack in the drapes. Keery may well have Claudia in a lover’s embrace under the same stars at this very moment. Would she succumb to his practiced charms? He lifted the snifter, taking a long sip.

What a fool he was, pushing her away at every turn. Lady Luvington would be appalled at the very idea he had placed her between him and a chance at love. Even if the lady in question was the notorious Lady Akford, Sarah would wish him well. How had he failed to recognize it before? He set his snifter down and drew writing materials from his desk.

Tonight he would pen a letter to Sarah. He wished for her to hear of this from him. She may not be pleased at his choice, but she would not condemn him for it either. She was a true friend. He focused on penning his message, then closed the missive with his wax seal, and rang for a footman.

“My lord.”

Henry held out the letter. “Deliver this at once. Send our fastest man.”

The footman took his missive. “Right away, my lord.”

Henry offered a small nod. “That will be all.”

He settled back behind his desk and refilled the snifter. Sarah remained in Scotland at the Duke and Duchess of Goldstones estate. It would take days for his note to reach her, even longer for him to receive a reply. It mattered not. With or without Sarah’s blessing, he would be calling on Claudia come morning. He prayed he would not be too late.

* * * *

By the time Claudia and Duchess Abernathy reached the ball, she had managed to work up some excitement. Then when Lord Keery whisked her out onto the dance floor, she determined to enjoy the evening. She relaxed in his arms, settling into the idea of once again being accepted into high society.

He moved her through the steps with grace and charmed her with his conversation. She was rather enjoying herself as he twirled her about the floor. Then her heart hitched at the sight of Henry. He stood near the wall with his sister, and they seemed to be deep in conversation. Had he seen her? Lord Keery spun her around, causing her to lose sight of Him.