Chapter 5
16th October, 1812
Another surprise from his mother—this time in the form of a gathering. Jasper knew better than to try to talk his way out of it, and so he soon found himself standing in a corner near a table full of various fruits and cheese, looking out over the happy couples mingling, talking, laughing, smiling, and dancing.
He and his mother had spent the last decade away from England, having traveled from port to port so they could spend time with his father, an ambassador at various posts. This city, Jasper was quickly finding, was too small, too confining, with everyone talking about everyone and wishing to know the other’s affairs. Many an acquaintance had approached him, the gentlemen wishing to know about the sights—and the women—he had seen, and the ladies flirting behind their fans. Jasper did not wish to say much to any of them, which was why he was hiding away in this spot.
His mother and father both found his lack of trust in others disconcerting, but until and unless he found reason to trust someone, he doubted he would ever find love. Despite what his father wished, he would not marry merely for the sake of marrying. He would only marry the lady he wished. At least his mother would grant him that, although she was bound and determined that he would find such a lady.
If there is a lady out there for me…
A cotillion started, but Jasper made no move to join in. He had last danced the cotillion in Sweden, and the spectacle made his stomach churn. Two solitary months had passed, but still the ache remained.
The lies from a woman’s tongue can leave scars that last much longer than the whip.
He had come. He had fulfilled his promise to his mother. He would leave, and leave now.
Benjamin Huxley, the Duke of Barnet, had danced so much his legs had grown rather tired. He excused himself from his partner and accepted a glass of wine from a servant as he made his way from the dance floor.
He glanced around the room, and his gaze fell on two ladies—Anna and Emily. Benjamin had not yet spoken to either this evening, and he moved to approach them when someone bumped into his back.
“Pardon me,” Benjamin said easily enough, turning to see a man stiffly adjust his overcoat.
“I must be the one to beg pardon,” the man said. “If you will—”
“I’m afraid I don’t recall meeting you before. You are…”
“Leaving.”
Benjamin grinned. “Leaving. Now that is a strange name.”
The man blinked a few times. “You do realize…”
“Of course.” Benjamin clasped him on the back. “Have you sampled some of the wine yet? It is exquisite.” He handed the gentleman his glass.
The man reluctantly took a sip. “Yes. It is quite good,” he muttered.
“How are you, gentlemen?” Anna asked. Emily had approached, too, but she was looking around at the dancers, obviously trying to locate someone.
“Quite fine. Quite fine.” Benjamin held out his hand and, after Anna accepted it, brought her hand to his lips for a soft kiss.
The man beside him huffed out a breath. “Just leaving.”
“Good night to you then,” Anna said somewhat stiffly.
Intrigued, Benjamin glanced from Anna to the man and back again. Anna was one of the kindest ladies he knew. What had this man done to ruffle her so?
“You two know each other?” he asked.
“Our mothers do,” the man said. “If you will excuse me.” He walked past Emily without even looking at her and left.
“Someone’s not feeling very festive, now, is he?” Benjamin asked with a laugh.
Emily giggled, but it seemed a little forced, her attention clearly elsewhere.
Benjamin turned to Anna. Her lips twisted into a slight frown, and his stomach clenched to see her vexed. “What has he done to you?”
“Done to me? Who?” She blinked and then laughed. “Nothing. He is no one.”
“I didn’t catch his name.”
“He is the Earl of Pershore.”
“Haven’t heard of him.” Out of the corner of his eyes, Benjamin watched Emily accept a dance from a baron’s son. “May I have the honor of this dance?”
“Of course.” Anna’s smile stretched across her face, lighting up her dark eyes.
The two danced and talked and laughed and danced another before the bold Lady Catherine interrupted them and stole him away. Benjamin danced once with her, and when he tried to locate Anna again, he couldn’t see her anywhere. Had she left already? There was something about her, yet there was something about nearly every lady. If he saw her again this evening, he would spend more time with her. If not, there were others he would converse with.
Still, he found himself curious about Anna and that Pershore fellow, and it irked him to think that someone might have upset her.
“Did you not see how he was?” Anna asked as they nibbled on some of the delicious snacks set out for the guests to enjoy.
“Who was?” Emily turned around to face the dance floor.
“Lord Pershore! Have you not been listening to me?”
“Ah, yes, the marchioness’s son whom you cannot stop talking about.” Emily laughed, teasing.
“That is not true!”
“I thought you were trying to avoid the Duke of Barnet. You walked straight up to him. You didn’t even wait for him to approach you!”
“Yes, well, he was talking to Lord Pershore, and I wanted to…”
“To what? Save him? What on earth would Lord Pershore do to him?”
Anna sighed. “I suppose you are right. I did use that as an excuse.” She shook her head and vowed to think nothing more about either man. “Is Lord Tipton here?”
“Not that I have seen.” Emily put her hands on her hips. “Do not attempt to change the subject.”
“I am…” Anna rubbed her temple. She had not seen Benjamin either for some time now, and her happy mood after dancing with him vanished. She never should have approached him, never should have danced with him. Her mother was certain to find out, even if her chaperone and maid kept quiet, and then what?
She will ask if I bothered to dance with Lord Pershore as well, when she should realize the answer to that would be no. I just can’t see why she wants me to befriend him, let alone anything more!