Page 41 of Maid for the Duke

Will led Amelie in through the archway, guiding her off to one side as soon as possible so they did not immediately plunge into the main crush of guests.

‘That was masterfully done,’ Amelie said.

‘It is not the first time I have wished to enter an event without having my presence immediately announced,’ he said with a rueful smile. ‘I give my calling card so the footman does not think I am merely some rogue trying to slip into a ball that I am not invited to, and then a bribe large enough to convince them that I must be a duke, because I’ve just been ridiculously generous with my money.’

‘I am grateful it is not your first time being duplicitous. How long do you think before you are spotted and recognised?’

‘If I am optimistic, I would say perhaps ten minutes. It is dark out here in the peripheries and I do have this mask, however flimsy.’

‘Ten minutes? Are you that recognisable?’

Will gave a little shrug. ‘If no one knew I was coming, then it might be longer.’

‘Are there people here who are actively watching out for you?’

‘I do not mean to inflate my own importance. It is not something I enjoy, but…’

‘Your Grace,’ a woman’s voice called out from behind them.

‘Thirty seconds,’ Amelie murmured, shaking her head as they turned together. ‘They found you in thirty seconds.’

Will bowed at the woman in front of him, smiling politely.

‘Please accept my apology for approaching you like this. We have been introduced, once in London at Lord and Lady Lincett’s anniversary ball. I am Mrs Friston.’

‘It is a pleasure to see you again, Mrs Friston.’

Despite the discomfort Amelie knew he felt in social situations, Will was charming. He smiled just the right amount, was perfectly polite and listened carefully to whomever was demanding his attention. No wonder he was deemed the most eligible bachelor in London.

Mrs Friston’s eyes flicked to Amelie, as if expecting an introduction, but instead Will steered the conversation a different way.

‘How are you connected with the university, Mrs Friston?’

‘Oh…’ For a moment the older woman looked flustered. ‘I suppose I’m not, although I am not on the whole opposed to the students, as so many of the Cambridge residents are.’ She lowered her voice and leaned in conspiratorially. ‘In truth I heard you were going to be in attendance and I wanted to introduce you to my daughter. She had her debut this last year and is a most accomplished young woman.’

Mrs Friston looked around her and gave an irritated sigh when she realised her daughter was not close at hand.

‘Let me go and find her for you. I am sure you would find her charming.’

Mrs Friston hurried away and Amelie looked at Will in horror.

‘Is this your life? People pressing any distant connection with you or prior meeting to try to further their own wants?’

‘Very often. It is why some dukes and earls eschew these events altogether or culture a reputation as being surly and unapproachable.’

‘What is your method of defence? Surely you cannot indulge everyone who wishes to steal a little of your time?’

‘I am perfectly polite. I smile and nod and then when they are distracted I slip away. It leads to much less grief and, rarely do I ever have to dance with any of these young women.’

‘Is that what we are going to do now?’

‘It is,’ he replied with a grin. He seemed happy tonight, carefree, and Amelie enjoyed gaining a little insight into his world. Their peculiar circumstances meant that, although they’d had spent an extraordinary amount of time in one another’s company these last weeks, by necessity it had been mainly in private. It was enjoyable to see Will outside the little cottage in Grantchester.

Glancing behind them, he took Amelie’s hand and set off weaving through the columns until they were on the other side of the courtyard. He pulled her back into the shadows, not far enough from the main crowd for it to be scandalous, but deep enough into the darkness that no one would easily be able to identify them.

‘Why do you not just tell people like that to leave you alone?’

‘When I was younger, that was often my approach. I would get overwhelmed at social events by the pure number of people vying for my attention. I tried being abrupt, walking away from people, ignoring them, but it just didn’t work. Most people were so determined to use their opportunity to talk to me, I could have insulted their entire family and it would have barely registered. I found the whole thing awfully stressful.’