AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thank you for gracing us with your presence when you have so many social engagements,” Perdita added.
“The demands are taxing…” Lady Amesbury regained her hauteur and her glacial aspect.
Dash bowed his head, and Perdita curtsied before he steered her away. Why had she rescued him from the old harpies going on about responsibility? One small part of him would enjoy seeing their faces if he told them the truth about his honorable father and the depths of cruelty he inflicted when he was being social. This was one reason he withdrew from the hypocrisy of society. It seemed that tonight he was to be plagued with all the emotions he thought he had buried in the past.
Perdita looked up at him as they moved toward the far wall away from the dowagers. “I have not spoken with Lord Vinson or Lord Yardley yet.”
Perdita expected the dowagers to disapprove of him, but what punishment could come of speaking with Vinson or Yardley? He could not fathom her purpose in seeking out his father’s cronies.
Dash was surprised that Vinson and Yardley remained at the ball. Neither man spent much of their time at social outings, but rather brothels or gambling dens. They didn’t bother with the approval of society. They were both of old titles and wielded their power in Parliament. Both of them separately spoke intensely with Roddy earlier in the evening, which was of interest. Was it about the French treaty or something more?
Dash ignored the stares and low murmured voices that whispered loud enough to be heard as they walked across the ballroom.
He is here tonight in search of a bride.
Another voice not to be outdone.He needs her dowry, or he wouldn’t marry a spinster. He’s in dun territory.
It took all his self-control not to confront the lowly snake of a woman who dared to speak of Perdita. He expected to have the worst said about him, but he hadn’t foreseen that it would be assumed he was seeking a wife. And that Perdita would be his choice because of her generous dowry.
Perdita beamed at the guests, seemingly unaffected by the whispers. She had to have heard them.
“Lord Vinson and Lord Yardley.” Perdita curtsied. “Just the gentlemen I had hoped to converse with tonight. How fortuitous that you have remained. I require a diversion away from polite discourse. I had hoped that Lord Sidmouth would be able to attend. He had reassured Roddy that he would. But I’m sure his responsibilities weigh heavily on him.”
“Sidmouth? Why would you seek him out? He is a bore and would not liven the dancing nor discussion.” Yardley waved his finely manicured hand in the air.
“I’ve never had the privilege to speak with our prime minister. He is the hero of the hour, isn’t he, by achieving the peace treaty?”
“His popularity will wane when we go to war,” Yardley pronounced. “And all his peacemaking speeches will look as ridiculous as the man who delivered them.”
Dash didn’t remember hearing of any public rancor between Yardley and Sidmouth. Either drink or jealousy of the prime minister’s popularity drove Yardley’s rancor. Yardley was aware that the peace treaty was a ploy to give England time to build their navy.
“War is inevitable, then, my lord? Do you have inside information that none of us are privy to?”
The fine hairs on Dash’s neck bristled with Perdita’s seemingly innocent question. Did she have any idea what she was wading into? She couldn’t possibly know of Yardley’s involvement with the French. Could she? Is this what Aunt Euphemia alluded to about Dash protecting Perdita?
“Yardley, you’re impertinent. Lady Perdita doesn’t need to hear about the inner political fighting of Parliament,” Vinson interjected to stop further discussion.
“But I do want to hear, Lord Vinson. I’m very interested in what such esteemed men as yourselves think the motive might be for Napoleon’s promise of peace. We are using it to fortify our defenses. Napoleon must be utilizing the same strategy. Do you have any insight into what his ulterior motives are for the consulate to seek peace? My understanding is that he doesn’t compromise.”
“Is this what young women are interested in now?” Yardley’s bloodshot sunken eyes inspected Perdita’s form in a manner that had Dash ready to smash his fist into the hanging jowls.
Perdita laughed charmingly at the old lecher. “Even women tire of endless discussion of the weather. How many times can we discuss whether it will rain? Is it not appropriate to ask the men who make the decisions in our government whether the peace will stand or we will go to war? Women share the same worry as men for the safety of their loved ones and our country.”
The bastard leered at Perdita’s luminescent skin and her revealing decolletage. Dash couldn’t call Yardley out. He had other plans for his lordship.
“What has happened to flirting behind fans and seduction in the garden? You’re with a man infamous for seduction, and you want to discuss politics?” Yardley chuckled. “Maybe your reputation is exaggerated, Beldon.”
Dash took a slow easy breath, glaring at Yardley. He didn’t know what game Yardley played, but he refused to be baited. “You owe Lady Perdita an apology now.”
“I see no reason…”
Dash kept his focus on Yardley’s face. Had he underestimated Yardley’s desperation? Or was it a brilliant move by the slimy bastard of manipulating an enemy to get Dash to react? Did Yardley suspect Dash and the information he had on the “respected peer” and wanted a way to embroil Dash in a scandal to lessen Dash’s credibility?
“He’s right, Yardley. I’m sure you didn’t mean to offend Lady Perdita or her brother.”
Yardley smirked. The same smarmy way when he had a winning hand. “My lady, I never meant any offense. I assumed too much. Please accept my deepest apologies.”
“It is always interesting to hear men’s perspectives. So very different from women’s limited world view.” The hauteur in her voice matched Lady Eldoret’s at her worst. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, my lords.” Perdita nodded to Vinson and Yardley and walked away with her spine straight and her chin raised.
