“Bremsford and his wife seem gracious enough,” Rook said.
“I’m still struggling to fathom his sudden change of heart.”
“They’re orphans now. You don’t always realize the mooring your parents provided until it’s gone. Perhaps he’s grown more appreciative of even the slightest of familial ties. Your defense of her at the club could have caused him to evaluate his stance where she was concerned.” While Rook had not been there to witness it, Knight had told him about it.
Bremsford lifted a hand, palm out, and turned it. A signal. Knight’s gut tightened until he saw the earl’s two sisters and their husbands striding over. Amid a lot of curtsying and bowing, introductions were apparently being made, the earl ignoring the people queuing up in the doorway. Knight suspected Bremsford had informed his majordomo that upon Miss Leyland’s arrival, he was to dispense with any further announcements until he’d properly welcomed her.
“Is she going to marry Chidding?” Rook asked.
“I imagine so.”
“He’s a decent enough bloke, but can you live with that?”
He’d have to. “Why would I care?”
“Christ, Knight, the depth of your feelings for her is clear to anyone with eyes. I daresay you love her more now than you did when you proposed.”
It was the way of love to evolve and change, because people evolved and changed. Love, he was discovering, was an odd thing, a beast that continued to grow. “What know you of love?”
“That it will never have its way with me. I think you suffer enough for the both of us.”
Yet, in spite of the suffering, he was grateful to have loved her and to have been loved by her. He would undoubtedly still love her when he was on his deathbed, while she would eventually come to love the good man who was presently watching her and gently urging her away from the intimate group. The next guest’s name rang through the room, competing with the music that was playing.
“If you’ll excuse me—”
He’d taken only one step when Rook said laconically, “I’ll probably dance with her later.”
Knight swung around, and Rook lifted the flute he’d taken from him earlier and downed its contents before winking. “Just so you know.”
“I’m sure she’ll enjoy it.” He wouldn’t, however, but with Bremsford’s acknowledgment of her, those who’d feared offending him might be worried they would if they didn’t dance with Regina. Her dance card couldvery well be filled. He wanted that acceptance for her, to experience the full approval of theton.
The couple had nearly reached the area where a throng mingled when he caught up with them. He bowed. “Miss Leyland.” Took her gloved hand, pressed a kiss to her gloved knuckles. Reluctantly released his hold. “Lord Chidding.”
“My lord.”
He gave his attention back to Regina. “All went well, I take it.”
“They were most welcoming. I was worried for nothing. They want us to be family.”
“I’m glad.” He turned his attention to Chidding. “Would you mind if I took... your lady on a turn about the floor?”
“Not at all.” He touched her arm where it was bare. “I’ll fetch you a champagne while you’re occupied, shall I?”
She smiled warmly at him. “That would be lovely.”
As Chidding turned away to find her some refreshment, Knight escorted her onto the dance floor, grateful the tune that had only just begun to play was suited to a waltz. “Chidding seems more at ease tonight than he was at the park.”
“We’ve spoken more this evening about matters other than the weather than we have in the past.” Inscrutably, she held his gaze, and he had the unsettling warning he wasn’t going to like the words following that statement and that quite possibly this would be their final waltz. His hands tightened their hold as though needing to secure a last bit of memory. “I’m going to tell him. When he returnsme home. About Ari. And the other. Regarding my tenuous hold on my trusts.”
Which might mean revealing she was Anonymous. The danger it might put her in to be fully destroyed if Chidding wasn’t willing to hold her secret. Her acceptance by Society was fragile. Her financial situation should she be discovered untenable. “Is it really necessary to mention the second?”
“He’s courting me for the income I can provide. Before he asks for my hand, he needs to know it can go away on a whim.”
“Is he close to asking do you think?” Bremsford had indicated he was.
“He’s making it quite clear he has an interest.”
“I assume you’ll say yes.”
