The idea would have been laughable except she would not have him using Lily in such a way.The music began, drifting out of the drawing room windows quite clearly enough for the dancers.Although it was still only twilight, the sight of the graceful figures was both pretty and romantic.
Someone dropped into the chair beside hers, on the edge of the terrace.
“Wouldn’t you rather be dancing?”asked the Duke of Isbourne.
“No.Wouldn’t you?”
“Perhaps later.I wondered if I might ask Lily.”
“You must ask whomever you like.”
“I thought you would turn me down.”
“I would when I am on chaperone duty.At least the young bucks appear to be sober.”
“Hawthorn did swipe the port and brandy away rather sharply and marched us to the drawing room.”
“A good effort, but they all know where it’s kept.Is no one playing cards?”
“A few of the older fellows.Are you quite well, Tabitha?”
She blinked at him.“Of course I am.Are you?Or wishing you were back at Isley Place?Or carefree on the road?”
“Neither.I am perfectly content where I am.”
The dance came to a graceful end amid much applause and happy laughter.Lily flitted over.“Oh, Tab, it’s such fun to dance outside!You should try it!So should your grace,” she added politely.
“I would love to.”His grace had already risen.“Perhaps you would be my guide—I am not used to dancing.”
Lily smiled at him and curtseyed before laying her hand happily on his arm.He bowed gravely to Tabitha and led his prize into the new set.Tabitha was feeling quite benign —until Carily slipped into the vacant chair.
It crossed her mind that he had engineered this, that he had sent Lily straight to her in the hope the duke would dance with her and leave the chair free.But perhaps she was being overly suspicious.
“Come for a walk with me,” he said softly.
“I am on chaperone duty.”
“Lily is perfectly safe with the Duke of Deathly Dull.Though she might need to bathe her poor feet afterward.”
“Such a spiteful cat, aren’t you, Carily?He dances as well as you.”He did, too, and with no obvious guidance from Lily.
Carily watched them broodingly for a few minutes.“Aiming a bit high, aren’t you?Considering the state of the Sark estate.Her dowry is barely respectable.”
Tabitha sighed and pretended to smother a yawn.
“Oh, drat you, Tabbie, come for a walk,” he exclaimed.He even took her hand as he jumped to his feet, aiming to pull her with him.
“I am about,” she said between her teeth, “to make an utter fool of you.”
He released her at once, though his expression turned ugly.“How long do you imagine you can keep me at arms’ length?”he demanded.
“For ever.Go away, Carily, you’ve turned into a crashing bore.”She waved him aside as though merely trying to see the dancers better.
He turned on his heel and stalked off into the drawing room.
***
JACK FOUND LILY’S ATTITUDErefreshing.She neither flirted nor gazed at him in awe as though he were some god come down to earth, which were the main responses of the other unmarried young ladies he had spoken to.
