Augusta nodded once and then followed him.
Hudson stared after the group. James was laughing about something in that carefree manner no one else had, Cassie was speaking animatedly, her hands moving more than her lips, and Augusta…
The blue dress hugged the curve of her waist and the flare of her hips in a way that made his palms itch with the desire to trace them. He had seen women in far more revealing gowns, and yet none of them had affected him the way Augusta did in her modest blue dress.
“Your Grace.”
He turned to find Lady Follett at his elbow, her daughter hovering just behind her.
“Lady Follett,” he greeted, bowing slightly. “Lady Eleanor. Thank you for joining us this evening.”
“The pleasure is entirely ours,” Lady Follett assured him. “Eleanor has been so looking forward to it. Haven’t you, my dear?”
Lady Eleanor nodded, her smile practiced. “Indeed. And may I say, Your Grace, that the ballroom decorations are quite the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. The roses are from your own gardens, I understand?”
“They are,” Hudson confirmed. “My sister has something of a gift for arranging flowers.”
“How charming,” Lady Follett said. “Lady Cassandra is becoming quite the accomplished young lady. I understand she has a new governess? A Miss Norton?”
The question was casual, but Hudson caught the sharp glint in her eyes. “She does,” he replied, his voice even. “Miss Norton has been with us since January. Cassie is very fond of her.”
“I’m sure,” Lady Follett murmured. “She seemed quite… attentive when we arrived.”
Hudson’s eyes searched through the crowd and landed on the refreshments table, where James stood far too close to Augusta for his liking. She was laughing at something he had said, her head tilted back, the line of her throat exposed in the candlelight.
Hudson shifted, his irritation flaring.
“Your Grace,” Lady Follett continued, apparently undeterred by his silence. “Eleanor has been practicing the pianoforte most assiduously since Christmas. I wonder if you might be persuaded to hear her play later? The pianoforte in your music room is said to be quite exceptional.”
“I’m afraid the music room is closed for the evening,” Hudson said. “But I’m sure Lady Eleanor would be welcome to use the pianoforte in the morning room tomorrow, if she wishes.”
Lady Follett’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “How kind,” she said. “Eleanor, thank His Grace.”
Lady Eleanor curtsied. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
“You’re very welcome,” Hudson said, already turning away. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must attend to the other guests.”
He made his escape before Lady Follett could reply, cutting through the crowd with the ease of long practice. He had nearly reached the refreshments table when a voice stopped him.
“Your Grace.”
He turned to find the Duchess of Kirkhammer standing before him, her husband a half-step behind her. She was one of the few women in London who could make him smile genuinely, and her presence was a welcome interruption.
“Duchess,” he greeted, bowing. “Kirkhammer. I’m delighted you could join us.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it,” the Duchess said, her eyes bright with amusement. She glanced around the ballroom. “It’s quite the crush. You’ve outdone yourself.”
“I had very little to do with it,” Hudson admitted. “My housekeeper and my sister deserve all the credit.”
“Your sister,” Kirkhammer said, his deep voice carrying even through the noise of the ballroom. “Is that her with the young woman in blue? Near the refreshments table?”
Hudson followed his gaze to where Cassie stood with Augusta, the two of them watching the dancers with identical expressionsof delight. “Yes,” he answered. “And her governess, Miss Norton.”
“Miss Norton,” the Duchess repeated. “The same Miss Norton who was the subject of such particular interest at the balloon exhibition?”
Hudson nodded curtly. “The same.”
The Duchess’s smile widened. “How fascinating. She’s very pretty. And Cassie adores her, clearly.”
