“Alesbury, you made it. I was beginning to think you’d received another invitation,” Edgerton said.
“I apologize for my tardiness. There was a matter regarding my tenants that I needed to attend to. Lady Edgerton, you look lovely this evening,” he said, taking Courtney’s hand and kissing the air above her knuckles.
“Thank you, my lord. We’re happy you were able to attend this evening.”
The Duke and Duchess of Wetherby soon joined them. “Your Graces,” Alesbury said with a brief nod.
“Lord Alesbury, a pleasure to see you,” the Duchess of Wetherby said.
The duke held out his hand. “Alesbury.”
He grasped the duke’s hand in a firm grip He knew Wetherby well from his days as the previous spymaster before he had passed the reins to Edgerton. Only a few people knew Wetherby had been one of England’s most important spies for years before he married Hannah. The duke now wanted to devote all his time to his pretty wife and his son and heir, Finley. “How is your son, Your Grace?”
“Thriving,” Wetherby said.
Alesbury made the rounds, greeting Lord and Lady Tisbury and finally Violet’s mother. “My lady, you look lovely this evening.”
Lavinia’s eyes widened at the compliment. “Thank you, my lord.”
He would do everything he could to change her mind about his suitability. He breathed a sigh of relief when he’d greeted everyone and was finally able to speak to Violet. “Miss Bainbridge, it’s a pleasure to see you this evening. May I say you look stunning?”
Violet curtseyed and gave him a brilliant smile. “Thank you, my lord.”
He looked at Emma. “Good evening, Miss Emma.”
Emma curtseyed. “Good evening, my lord.”
“Miss Bainbridge, I hope you’ll give me the honor of escorting you in to dinner.”
“Thank you. I would be delighted.”
He looked around the room but didn’t see Richmond, who he was sure Lavinia would have insisted be invited. As if conjured by his thoughts, the duke walked into the room just then, looking as dashing as ever in his formal eveningwear. He was a striking and imposing figure, and the cut of his form-fitting jacket showed off his broad shoulders to perfection with no padding needed. Alesbury wasn’t usually a jealous man, but he couldn’t deny that Richmond was the catch of the Season. He needed to find out how Violet felt about him sooner rather than later.
Akers announced dinner, and Alesbury held out his arm. “Shall we?”
They followed everyone into the dining room, where he was pleased to find he was seated next to Violet. He pulled out her chair before sitting beside her, then looked toward Edgerton and gave him a slight nod. He could only guess that his friend had overridden Lavinia’s preference for seating Violet next to the duke. Instead, Richmond was seated across the table next to Emma, where it wouldn’t be easy for him and Violet to converse during the meal.
“How lovely to be seated next to you,” Violet whispered.
“I think you can thank your brother for that.”
Violet chuckled. “More like Courtney. I’m sure my mother isn’t pleased.”
Alesbury kept up a lively conversation during the meal, and the sparkle in Violet’s eyes was endearing to him. He could listen to her talk forever and would like nothing more than to propose to her soon. If she would give him a sign that she reciprocated his feelings, he’d propose right away, but he didn’t want to frighten her by pushing his suit before he knew her heart belonged to him.
Chapter 14
VIOLET HARDLY TASTED HER FOODand even the lemon tarts for dessert didn’t tempt her. Being so near to Lord Alesbury had her heart pounding in her chest. His sandalwood scent enveloped her, and she breathed deeply. She wanted to let him know how much she cared for him and decided to do something scandalous. If her mother knew, she’d be horrified at her behavior.
As Lord Alesbury talked about the sights to be seen in London, Violet rubbed her knee against his, keeping her leg a hair’s breadth from his.
He stopped in mid-bite of his tart, and she flashed him a smile. “You were saying, my lord?”
He leaned toward her and whispered, “That was most unexpected and extremely pleasurable.”
Violet felt heat rise to her cheeks. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
Before they could speak further, Courtney stood, signaling for the ladies to retire to the parlor. “We must go, but I hope the gentlemen don’t linger overlong with their cigars and brandy.”
