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CHAPTER2
“Thank you, Grandmother,” Henry said through gritted teeth. He had been forced, through some heavy cajoling on his grandmother’s end, to dress sharply and attend the ball that was being given tonight. Henry couldn’t quite recall the name of the viscount who owned this residence and was thus hosting the affair, but he did remember every single young lady, as well as her mother, his grandmother had painstakingly introduced him to thus far this evening. By Henry’s count, the blushing young beauty standing in front of him was eligible bachelorette number nine, and her name was Anna Stephens.
While Anna had confident brown eyes and glossy chestnut-colored hair that Henry usually found quite attractive, he had no desire to trip the light fantastic with yet another debutante. More than anything, Henry craved a moment of solitude. But, since his grandmother was watching him with her flashing violet eyes and her expression was fixed in a shrewish way, he knew that he best invite Anna to join him on the dance floor.
“Shall we?” Henry said coyly, extending his hand toward Anna. Her cheeks colored at once, giving away her pleasure at the invitation, and she accepted Henry’s hand. He led her into the center of the room, and as the musicians began the next number, he wrapped a hand tightly around her waist.
“Your Grace, I’m sorry we haven’t had occasion to cross paths with one another earlier in the season,” Anna began, stepping lively in time to the music.
Henry nodded, “Yes, it is hard to believe there is nary a young lady in thetonwho has not made my acquaintance. My grandmother has insisted I come to these balls, and she has been making my introduction into society quite steadily.”
“I see,” Anna replied, lowering her eyelashes delicately. “Your grandmother, the Dowager is Duchess, is a very formidable woman. You must be searching for a bride who will be far more attentive to your needs.”
Henry’s blue eyes flashed at the young woman. He could not determine her meaning. Either she was being audacious and implying that she would like to satisfy his needs, or she was being presumptuous and assuming that if she behaved demurely enough, he might find her attractive and propose she be his bride. Henry loathed this ambiguity. He didn’t think it was charming, nor did he find it tempted him in any way. What he wanted from a woman, more than anything, was for her to drop the pretensions.
But Anna kept up the conversation that was laced with a double meaning. “I understand that you have been abroad for some time, Your Grace. Did you find many treasures to tickle your fancy?” Her soft brown eyes widened, and her eyebrows lifted innocently, and Henry found that very vexing.
“I have enjoyed my travels, but I have come home to England to stay,” Henry replied, but his mind thought of what he was leaving behind.
“I’ve heard whispers that you enjoyed your time touring the continent. Did anything or anyone in particular appeal to you?” the young woman blushed now, and Henry knew that she wasn’t as adept at hiding her innuendo as she might have thought herself. For they both knew now she was referencing his reputation as a notorious rake. Henry had no wish to deny such rumors, as he had rather enjoyed his time in the company of many exquisite women while he traveled; however, that did not mean he wanted to discuss his exploits here, in polite society, with this woman who he had just met.
Henry cleared his throat and spoke quietly. “I enjoyed my journey through Spain. The sunrising over the mountain range there was most extraordinary.”
“Indeed,” Anna whispered, her voice lilting in a thrilled way.
Henry glanced over Anna’s head at the crowded ballroom. Dancers swirled by, chatting happily to their partners. Henry searched out his grandmother and tried to get her attention. He very much wished for his conversation to be over with Anna. He found her attractive, certainly, but this discussion was tedious. When he couldn’t discreetly get his grandmother to notice him, he decided to make the best of the situation and try to ask Anna questions about herself.
“Tell me, Miss Stephens. What do you like to do in your spare time? We both know that I like to travel. What do you like to do?” Henry looked down at his companion and saw her brow twitch minutely.
“What do you mean, Your Grace?” Anna questioned, gazing up at him through her long eyelashes.
Henry looked at her dubiously. His question had not been complex. Surely, she must have some hobbies or recreations of which she could speak. “I see that you are a lovely dancer, Miss Stephens. But aside from dancing, what do you like to do to occupy your time?”
“What doyoulike to do, Your Grace?” Anna countered, smiling at him beatifically.
“I . . .” Henry stuttered, feeling confused by this rapid turnaround. “I like to travel. . .”
“Then I like to travel, as well,” Anna responded, her smile widening.
“Yes? Where have you been?” Henry prompted.
Anna blushed furiously. “I have not travelled anywhere yet, but I hope to do so once I am married.”
Henry couldn’t stop the sour expression from creeping onto his face. He was mightily disappointed in Anna Stephens. In the span of just a few moments, not only had she asked vague questions, but she also feigned interest in matters of which she had no knowledge. Henry bit back the follow-up questions he had been intending to ask, and he counted backward from one hundred as he waited for the dance to conclude.
Once it did, he bid Anna adieu and that made a beeline for the garden. Unfortunately, his grandmother was spry for her age, and she met him as he prepared to exit the ballroom.
“Where do you think you’re going?” the Dowager Duchess demanded.
As a gentleman who respected his elders, Henry slowed his pace and turned to look at his grandmother. Her violet eyes looked disheartened, and he wished to comfort her. “I’m only going to step outside for a breath of fresh air. I’ve been dancing all night long, and I need just a moment of repose.”
His grandmother eyed him skeptically and her expression changed from despondent to disbelieving. Her thin lips drew into a tight line. “You’re not trying to abandon the festivities, are you?”
“Of course not, Grandmother,” Henry replied smoothly.
“There are many other ladies who wish to make your acquaintance, and I have promised to introduce you at the earliest convenience,” the Dowager Duchess persisted.
Henry couldn’t stop the groan that escaped from his lips. He loved his grandmother, and when he traveled, he had missed her tremendously. But ever since he had come home, she had been following him night and day, hounding him to find a bride. “Quite frankly, I’m not sure how much more I can take,” Henry said, giving voice to his thoughts.
