AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Three
Such disharmonious poetry could only come from one person but she was pleased. She turned around and gave him a polite smile.
“Sir Phineas.”
Sir Phineas grinned. He was the dandiest of theton’sdandies, and the son of a second son of a Duke whose service to the crown had earned him a baronetcy that he’d passed on to Phineas. Although he spent most of his time attongatherings serenading ladies with bad poetry, he was anything but a rake.
“If it isn’t the resplendent Lady Jennifer Robshaw.” He bowed elegantly, giving her a smile that reminded her of why some regarded him as theton’sAdonis.
“Did you just form that verse, sir? And is it about what I think it is?” she asked, feeling her shoulders relax. Something about his demeanor was comforting.
His eyes fell on her red hair that was piled atop her head in a neat coiffure. “It is even more brazen in the candlelight, my lady.”
Jenny rolled her eyes and bit back a laugh, feeling inclined to remain in his company all evening to avoid an encounter with Nicholas. He was diverting and it was just what she needed. Contrary to society’s opinion of him that he was compensating for his lack of wits with his appearance, Jenny had always believed there was more to him than what he revealed to the world. It was unfortunate that most ladies only found him tolerable because of his wealth and looks.
“I must admit my surprise. My hair has been called many things but it has never been the subject of poetry.”
“Then society has done you a great disservice. I am delighted to be the first to compose a verse for it.” He beamed. “May I have this dance?”
The waltz was just starting and Jenny did not hesitate in placing her hand on his proffered arm. They fell into step alongside Ernest and Daphne. Of all the gentlemen she’d come across since her debut, Sir Phineas was the only one she could deem genuine. He was honest not only with people but with himself which was not a common trait to find. And for that reason alone, she admired and respected him.
“A smile so serene that even the angels cannot compare,” he said, smiling.
Jenny laughed. “Serene? My father once said I smile like I have a secret.”
“Do you have a secret?”
Before she could respond to that, her eyes traveled to the ballroom entrance and landed on Nicholas. His blue gaze was on her, a question she couldn’t understand in them.
She quickly looked away, giving Sir Phineas all of her attention. “I do. I have what most would consider an obsession with rocks.”
His brows rose. “Geology?”
“Yes. I have a growing collection both here in London and in Norfolk where I grew up,” Jenny replied.
“I think geology and history have a thing or two in common," he grinned.
“They do. They tell us about our origins. You like history?” she asked, genuinely interested in his answer.
“Yes, and literature. I believe these two subjects call directly to my heart.”
She knew he wouldn’t judge her about her interest and she felt comfortable talking to him.
“May I invite you for a ride tomorrow afternoon?” he asked with a smile.“I feel we have much to learn from each other.”
She did not hesitate to reply. “I would love to.”
He twirled her and again, her traitorous eyes sought Nicholas. He was standing on one side of the room in deep conversation with a gentleman in a military uniform.
“Interesting hosts we have this evening,” Sir Phineas remarked, his gaze following hers. “I hear the dowager duchess has already chosen a wife for the duke.”
“Oh?” Jenny feigned ignorance. “Do you know her?”
“Sadly, I do not and I feel sorry for the poor girl.”
Jenny swallowed. She absolutely did not want to marry Nicholas and from what she had been able to understand from the dowager and Nicholas’s conversation, a contract had already been drawn up and her father appeared to be in agreement with it.
“Are you quite all right?” he asked, noticing her changed demeanor.
