Clara raised her hands in surrender and curtsied as Gideon approached with James Ashford, the Duke of Devonshire, at his side. Helena curtsied too, and Gideon bowed.
“You trust remember my friend James, I believe — the Duke of Devonshire,” he said.
“But of course,” Clara said. “How do you do?”
“Very well indeed. I see the two of you are without drinks. Might we remedy that?”
“I would be most grateful,” Clara replied — and before Helena had quite noticed what was happening, Clara had swept off toward the refreshment room with James at her side, leaving Helena alone with Gideon once more.
* * *
“I trust you did not have any trouble getting in,” he said.
“Not at all. Although the lady patroness at the door, the one with whom you had made the arrangement, did look at me as though I did not quite belong.”
“Lady Marlborough. Do not fret. She is a battle-axe. Always looking for some argument or another. But, you are here, and you look lovely.”
“Well, thank you. Now, what is the plan? Do you have any gentlemen here for me to meet?”
“No,” he said. “The purpose of this outing was simply to make you comfortable with dancing again. Although if you do meet a gentleman who appeals to you, let me know and I shall make the arrangements.”
She smiled, though nobody had caught her eye thus far. However?—
“I have not met any gentleman who might interest me,” she said. “However, I believe there is a gentleman who is rather interested in you.” She tilted her chin toward the corner of the room, and felt Gideon stiffen beside her.
“Oh goodness,” he said, under his breath. “Balderdash…Utter bird-witted…”
“From your string of profanity, I take it that you are acquainted with this gentleman?” she asked.
“I am. We had rather an unfortunate discussion some days ago that ended with my nearly planting a facer on him. I should have, in hindsight. He would have well deserved it. And I suspect he has come here tonight expressly to queer my pitch.”
“Well, well,” the young man said, approaching with a slight grin. “If it isn’t the most fortunate Duke in the realm. And his lady love.” He bowed before Helena.
Her bristles went up at once. She could not stand men of this sort. He reminded her of Huxley. Not the charming Huxley she had initially met, but the one she had ended up married to. Someone in love with himself, who thought himself better than everybody else.
“I do warn you,” Gideon said, “this is a fine establishment, and I would not like you to sully Almack’s doors. Although I fear you have already done so simply by walking through them.”
“Blackwell,” the young man said. “Do not think I have forgotten what you did at the club.”
“Oh, I was hoping you would not forget. It was meant as a lesson. Was that not clear?” Gideon asked, and took a step toward him.
There was something intimidating about him, and she could see the anger bubbling beneath the surface. Tension crept into Helena’s shoulders and she took a step back. She did not like this. Not one bit.
“Perhaps I can teach you a lesson this time, Your Grace,” the younger man said with venom, drawing out the title with unmistakable contempt.
Gideon’s hand rose and he reached for the man’s collar when James appeared at his side and pressed his arm down firmly. “Gideon,” he said quietly, “may I remind you that we received our vouchers on my account. Frances will never forgive me if we lose them on yours.”
Gideon dropped his hand. “My friend is quite right. It is not worth it. Although I will say,” he added, with a pleasant smile at Lord Henry, “that his grievances against me are a very great deal of hum and nothing more. He may crow over this evening if he wishes. I shan’t give him the satisfaction of caring.” He looked up, and his expression transformed entirely. “Ah! Lady Marlborough! How lovely to see you.”
“Your Grace,” Lady Marlborough said, advancing upon them with a measured authority that made it quite clear this was not the first time she’d broken up such a confrontation. “Is there a problem?”
“I have no problem,” Gideon said pleasantly. “Lady Helena has no problem. It appears, however, that Lord Henry does have a problem. What it is exactly, I cannot tell you.”
“Indeed, it is he who started the trouble,” a voice came from somewhere nearby, and then another and a number of fingers pointed in Lord Henry’s direction.
“I see,” Lady Marlborough said. She turned to Lord Henry with resolve. “My lord, I shall ask you to depart the premises.”
“I? I did nothing wrong. He is the one who…”
