Page 39 of A Gifted Earl

Chapter Thirteen

Morgan was beginning to feel as if this whole house party might actually be a success. So far, everyone was happily sipping their pre-dinner drinks and talking, as he circulated about the room, making sure that all was well. His mother smiled at him from across the room where she was speaking to the mother of one of the young ladies.

He turned, scanning the room, wondering who to speak to next, when there was movement at the door, and the footman announced Lady Hardenwell and Lady Venetia. For a moment, he was struck to stillness by Lady Venetia’s beauty – the gown she wore was simple and elegant, in a green which matched the colour of her eyes – a daring colour for a young woman, for it was quite a strong green, far from the pastels which most young ladies wore. Her scar had faded, he could see, and he, at least, found it barely noticeable. To his eyes, it did not detract, in any way, from her beauty.

He hurried across the room to greet them, already smiling. As he approached, Lady Venetia seemed to almost stumble, a most strange expression flitting across her face for a moment. It was so fleeting that he wondered if he had imagined it. Then, she touched her mother’s arm, and said something to her softly, before they continued into the room.

“Welcome, Lady Hardenwell, Lady Venetia!”

They stopped, their eyes drawn to him when he spoke, and both smiled. He bowed, and they curtsied in return. His eyes went to Lady Venetia’s, and for a moment, he saw nothing but those green eyes. He was brought back to himself by Lady Hardenwell’s voice.

“We are most refreshed, Lord Templewick – our thanks for the excellent accommodations.”

“I am glad that you are pleased. I think that you are already acquainted with many of the guests, but let me introduce you to those you do not know.”

Lady Hardenwell glanced at Lady Venetia for a moment, and it was as if some unspoken message passed between them. Lady Venetia drew herself up, and looked back to him.

“Thank you, I would appreciate introductions.”

He led them across the room, towards where the group of gentlemen stood, assuming that, whilst they would have come to know the ladies whilst in London, they may not have been introduced to all of the gentlemen. They halted beside the group, and the men paused their conversation politely, turning to Morgan.

“Ladies, may I make known to you, Viscount Wilborough, Lord Charles Oldham, Lord James Quincy, Albert Manning, the Earl of Durringham and Lord Jasper Chater. Gentlemen, this is Lady Hardenwell, and her daughter, Lady Venetia Chater.”

He realised as he said the words, that Lord Jasper’s surname was the same as Lady Venetia’s, and curiosity filled him – were they related in some way?

The men bowed, the ladies curtsied, and there was a general expression of pleasure in the introduction – until it came to Lord Jasper. His bow was rather perfunctory, and his smile was little better than a sneer.

“My aunt, and my sadly blemished cousin, are well known to me already, Templewick. I must say, I didn’t expect to see you at an event like this, dear cousin.”

Morgan found himself with a sudden desire to plant Lord Jasper a facer. His disparaging tone and arrogant, disrespectful expression indicated that he was not the sort of man Morgan would normally have wanted in his company. And to see that attitude turned on Lady Venetia made his blood boil. But before Morgan could say anything, Lady Hardenwell drew herself up, lifted her chin, and spoke.

“I could say the same of you, Lord Jasper – I certainly didn’t expect to find you here, at a respectable Christmas house party. I would have thought you more likely to seek out the sort of country event designed for licentiousness, than one intended for pleasant polite company. Perhaps you still have the capacity to surprise me, but I doubt it. Your manners certainly have not improved, nor has your attitude to your cousin. I will thank you, while we are here, to keep a civil tongue in your head.”

There was, rather obviously, a history of unpleasant interactions here, and Morgan would be having serious words with Wilborough later, about having brought what looked to be a problem into his house. He hadn’t liked Lord Jasper on sight, and now, he had been shown that the man’s character was lacking.

Lord Jasper bristled, then waved a hand, as if shaking off something unpleasant.

“I am sure that we can manage to avoid each other, as we obviously wish to, even at such an intimate gathering as this – after all, I do not expect that you will be interested in the same type of diversions as I will.”

Beside Lord Jasper, Lord Wilborough was looking rather uncomfortable, and Morgan suspected that the man was regretting bringing Lord Jasper with him.

“Now, now, Chater, let’s not start out with unpleasantness – I would have thought you’d be glad to see your relatives.”

“Wilborough, you should know that not everyone likes, or gets on with, their entire family… I like some far more than others…”

It was said with a grin, and Morgan had the feeling that there was some kind of double meaning in the words.

Beside him, Lady Venetia was almost quivering, and Morgan had the strangest feeling that she was torn between anger and fear – but why would she fear her cousin? He glanced at her, and she gave him a tremulous smile. He would definitely need to seek out a chance to speak to her in relative privacy, and discover just what this was all about.

Lady Hardenwell fixed Lord Jasper with a hard glare for a few moments, then gave the tiniest shrug. She turned to the other gentlemen.

“I am pleased to meet you, gentlemen – perhaps we will all enjoy being in company better, for not being related.”

The men laughed, softly, and the tension eased.

Morgan led the ladies away, to introduce them to some others in the room. As he did, he brushed his hand against Lady Venetia’s arm, wanting to assure himself that all was well with her, now that they had removed themselves from her cousin’s proximity. It was as if heat spread from the point of that touch, warmth filling him. She looked up at him quickly, and there was shock in her expression – had she felt that warmth too?

He smiled, and removed his hand, but spoke in a whisper.