Verity nodded at her aunt, and for once the lady was not far wrong. It really did seem miraculous, though perhaps not for the reasons Lady Marchfield thought. Her aunt drifted off, no doubt deciding to save her strength and live to fight another day.
Now that Verity was looking around the ballroom, she could not miss that Lady Lilith was glaring at her. Lord Wembly’s eyes drifted in that direction too and he suppressed a sigh.
“Is there a reason she looks so put out?” Verity asked. “Have I done something to offend the lady?”
“I believe she might have had some…hopes…let’s call it. In my direction.”
“Oh, I see, goodness, that is terrible. She must be heartbroken.”
“I really do not think—”
“Never mind it,” Verity said.
“Yes, that is exactly what I would wish.”
Verity supposed he thought the matter was to be forgotten, though that was not precisely what she’d meant. She would call on Lady Lilith and smooth things before the wedding. After all, she knew what it felt like to be heartbroken, and she did not think Lady Lilith even had any sisters to console her.
And now that she thought about sisters, she would have one to console herself. Valor would not be enthusiastic to discover another sister would leave the house. “Valor,” she said softly.
“She will not be pleased, I imagine?”
Verity shook her head. “Lord Thorpe got her a puppy, Sir Galahad. Though, never mention that to her—she does think she rescued the dog from an evil earl intent on drowning him.”
“That was all set up by Lord Thorpe, though?”
“As a distraction, and it worked very well.”
“I understand Sir Galahad is the most tremendous dog in England. At least, I’ve been told so more than once. Perhaps I might do something for him.”
“What do you think of?”
“Let me work on it. Ah, here comes your father.”
“Well, Verity, guess what? We’ve been left high and dry by our monarch. Said she had enough amusement for one evening and we could make our own way home. Slipped out the back like a housebreaker to avoid the palaver of leaving in state.”
*
Henry could notbe more pleased with how the night had unfolded. It had its high mountaintops and low valleys, but it had come right in the end. He was an engaged man. Engaged to the most delightful lady in England.
It was almost hard to believe his luck.
The idea that Lady Verity experienced word spinning had come as a surprise, though he found it did explain quite a lot. It was no matter; they would hire a woman in Somerset to take over the task. In the meantime, he would act as Lady Verity’s reader. Why not? Should not a man besotted read to his wife?
As the queen had left her party behind with no conveyance home, Henry had instantly offered his own carriage. They waited for Lady Darlington to name the prizes for the costumes and then they were off. Henry was not surprised that Lady Verity came out victorious for the best costume—she’d been dressed by the queen, nobody else would have stood a chance. Still, she was exceedingly pleased with the India shawl she’d won and would hand it over to Valor to soften the oncoming blow.
The carriage ride had been a bit awkward, as Henry could not leap across the seat to Lady Verity with her father sitting right next to her. Lady Pegatha smoothed it over by rattling on about the various costumes and who had looked charming and who had, perhaps, flattered themselves. According to his aunt, a lady of Mrs. Patton’s years had no business dressing as a saucy lady’s maid.
The duke had laughed heartily. “I believe the effect was meant to be pert, but her girth rather defied the idea.”
As Lady Pegatha and the duke went on, he and Lady Verity simply stared at each other. Just as they had done when he’d gone to the duke’s house for dinner.
It seemed he would have the opportunity to stare at the lady all his life.
They’d reached the duke’s house and Henry was determined to escort Lady Verity to her door. It was entirely unnecessary, as the duke was there, but Henry hoped His Grace would not mind too much.
The duke was a liberal sort of gentleman so pretended he did not particularly notice. While his back was turned, Henry gave Lady Verity a light kiss on the cheek.
“Oh no!” a cry came from over their heads.
