Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Anthony looked across the garden, surveying the guests as they arrived. Lady Victoria and Lady Rose were greeting the ton, which meant he was free from the trivialities of pretending he was delighted to see everyone. Of course, he was genuinely happy to see some of his guests, but many were invited because they were important or business associates. One of the worst aspects of being the Duke of Hamilton was having to make every occasion into some manner of political maneuvering.

At least he would not be forced to endure the Marquess of Thornton's presence. The man was still away from London, which meant any confrontation between them would not happen at once. Anthony knew there was surely one coming. He did not expect that feigning a courtship with the woman who Lord Thornton wished to marry would be without complications. Perhaps he should have felt guilty about that, but he did not. The Marquess of Thornton was not a pleasant man, and Anthony found himself taking a grim kind of pleasure at the prospect of vexing the lord.

Speaking of vexing lords…

Anthony's gaze settled on Lord and Lady Hastings, who entered the gardens together. Lord Hastings was a tall, wiry man with thinning white hair and blue eyes. Everything about him seemed shriveled and sunken in, which was expected for an old man, but for as long as Anthony could recall, Lord Hastings had looked like that.

"Your Grace," Lord Hastings said, bowing stiffly.

Anthony returned the gesture, forcing a smile. Lord Hastings had known about his wife's indiscretions when he agreed to marry her, but he had not known whom his bride had been with. Anthony wondered sometimes if Lady Hastings had ever told him, but he could not think of a way to ask without making the situation more awkward.

"Lord Hastings," Anthony said, forcing his voice to be light and jovial. "Lady Hastings, I am so pleased you were able to join us. Lady Victoria and Lady Rose did work so very hard on the arrangements."

He gestured to the gardens, where a pavilion had been pitched, and to the tables laden with food and drink. His staff hurried about, ensuring that the needs of all the lords and ladies were being met.

"It will be good for Lady Victoria to have something with which to occupy her time," Lord Hastings said. "I have heard that she has been consumed with grief since her husband passed."

Anthony nodded. "She has been."

Lord Hastings snorted. "Well, I suppose she shall have the chance to marry a proper man from the ton now. I can still scarcely believe she chose to wed a lawyer of all things."

"I suppose she loved him," Anthony said.

He had never met Lady Victoria's husband, but Lord Hastings's dismissive tone made Anthony's blood boil. Lord Hastings had married a young lady decades younger than himself, knowing she had not even wanted to wed him. Who was he to judge Lady Victoria for wanting to marry the man she loved?

"I suppose," Lord Hastings said. "How is the daughter? She seems as though she knows how to behave like a lady."

"She does," Anthony said.

"I am sure she will have no shortage of suitors regardless," Lady Hastings said, "with you as her guardian."

"Indeed," Lord Hastings said. "I am surprised the young lady is not already all that the ton is talking about. An eligible young miss with an extensive dowry is certain to be a topic of interest."

Anthony was unsure if Lord Hastings intended for that comment to be a slight.

"I am sure that Lady Rose will receive more than her share of suitors," Anthony said. "I am guiding her, as is her mother."

"It is a pity that the dowager duchess is away," Lord Hastings said, shaking his head. "I am sure Lady Rose would find her assistance invaluable."

"For certain," Lady Hastings agreed.

Anthony was certain there was some criticism being made of his behavior, but he offered only a small shrug. What was he to do? Tell Catherine that she could not do whatever she wished? That hardly seemed fair to a grieving woman.

"I am sure everything will be well," Anthony said. "Besides, Lady Rose is young. If she does not find a suitable match this Season, it will be no hardship to try for the next one."

Lord Hastings nodded. "Well, I suppose that is true. If she cannot find a lord, however, you may be forced to consider a working man."

"Like her father was" went unsaid. Anthony clenched his jaw, fighting the impulse to say something that he might regret.

"We should not detain His Grace any longer," Lady Hastings said. "I am certain that he has other guests with whom he needs to speak."

Lord Hastings gave her an exasperated glance but nevertheless nodded his assent. "Well. I suppose we shall speak again later."

Anthony nodded. "I suppose so."

Lord and Lady Hastings headed further into the gardens, and Anthony felt a shiver of unease claw at his chest. If he had to speak to them again, it would be all too soon.

Instead, he walked toward the garden entrance, keeping a small distance between himself and the ladies to ensure that he was not coaxed into greeting the guests alongside them. Lady Victoria was having another good day. In her lilac gown, she looked beautiful and bright, as if she were a flower blooming in the warmth of spring. Beside her, Lady Rose was wearing pale pink.

Anthony found himself searching for Lady Bridget among the ton's brightly clad ladies, but there was no sign of her yet. It was only because they were supposed to be courting. That was why he searched. Anthony crossed his arms, trying to decide if it was for better or worse that he did not quite believe that.

Surely, there was no shame in enjoying a lovely woman's company. Any man would find Lady Bridget to be delightful. It was only that every time he thought about her, he thought about all the love he had lost and the errors he had made. He enjoyed the thought of pretending to court her. Anthony wanted to tell himself that he was merely performing a service for the young lady, doing something that would please her and help her. He knew there was something more, though. He was too fascinated with this young lady for his intentions to be entirely altruistic.

Unable to bear the anticipation any longer, Anthony approached Lady Rose. "I do not see your friend yet," he said.

Lady Rose laughed. "Eager to see your beloved?" she teased.

"Well, I am trying to play the role of a devoted suitor," Anthony said.

The fact that he simply wanted to see Lady Rose had no bearing on his decision, of course. Anthony was beginning to think he might have a problem, though. For a man who ought to only be pretending to be in love, he certainly was also eager to greet Lady Bridget the moment that she set foot on his property.

It was the art show that had changed things. Something about examining such a salacious painting alongside her had altered the way he thought about Lady Bridget. If she had not gazed at that painting with such raw fascination, he would not have ever thought anything further of her.

"You are playing the role well," Lady Rose murmured, pausing to cast a brilliant smile at Mr. Russell, who had just joined them. "Mr. Russell, it is good to see you!"

"Likewise," Mr. Russell said. "Thank you for extending the invitation."

"It was my pleasure," Lady Rose replied. "I imagine that it is really Anna who you are hoping to see, rather than me, however."

Mr. Russell cast Anthony a sheepish glance.

"Lady Anna? The Duke of Hamilton's daughter?" Anthony asked.

"The very same," Mr. Russell replied.

It seemed Anthony was not the only man who found one of the Duke of Norfolk's daughters charming. His lips twitched in amusement. It seemed as though Mr. Russell's attachment had come about rather quickly, and Anthony supposed his fondness for Lady Bridget had occurred in much the same way.

"You are very fortunate if she is as fond of you as you are of her," Lady Rose said. "Lady Anna is a rare gem among the ladies of the ton. I have never seen anyone with such boundless passion and enthusiasm."

"I agree," Mr. Russell said.

Anthony thought of the Duke of Norfolk's other daughter. He suspected Lady Anna's passion and enthusiasm might very well be matched by that of her sister Lady Bridget.

A knot tightened in Anthony's chest. He thought of all the little shows of intimacy that a couple would be expected to display during their courtship. He thought of escorting Lady Bridget through the gardens, her delicate hand on his arm and her shoulder brushing against his. He thought of wrapping an arm around her waist and dancing with her, of slipping away to the gardens with her, and of kissing her in a shaded corner, accompanied only by the sweet scent of roses.

"Well, I am sure that you shall both see the ladies soon enough," Lady Victoria interrupted. "But you are both standing in the entryway, and we have many more guests to greet."

"My apologies," said Mr. Russell, ducking his head. "I shall move away at once."

Anthony nodded in agreement, and the two men moved aside. Mr. Russell chuckled and gave Anthony a self-deprecating glance.

"Yes?" Anthony asked, suspecting that something weighed on the man's mind.

"I thought I overheard something about you expecting a lady," Mr. Russell said. "Who is it, Your Grace?"

Anthony did not quite think he and Mr. Russell knew one another well enough for him to ask questions like that, but the point was not worth arguing.

"Lady Bridget," he said instead.

"Ah. The elder sister."

Actually, this conversation with Mr. Russell might be very beneficial, indeed. If Anthony wanted the ton to believe that he was courting Lady Bridget, he needed a few people to spread the word.

"I am utterly besotted with her," Anthony said. "She is all that I think of, day and night. In truth, I begged Lady Victoria to arrange this garden party just so I could spend more time with Lady Bridget."

"How romantic!"

Anthony nodded. "I had hoped she and I might be able to formally announce our courtship today. I adore her so much that I feel as if the whole world must know about my love for her!"

Mr. Russell nodded vigorously. "Such love is rare in this world. You have all my best wishes, Your Grace."

Mr. Russell sounded so sincere that Anthony almost felt a little bad for lying so extravagantly—almost. Another part of him delighted in it. Playing the role of a lovesick paramour was far more thrilling than he had anticipated it being. Maybe it was because he missed being that man, the hopeless romantic who felt the need to declare his love before everyone.

"That is kind of you," Anthony said. "I hope your romance with Lady Anna is equally successful."

Mr. Russell's easy smile faltered. "We shall see," he replied. "I know that Lady Anna has expectations which she must meet. She is expected to marry a man of a certain rank, and I fear I may be insufficient."

"Do not accept defeat yet," Anthony said. "Lady Rose's father was not one of the ton either. He was a solicitor."

"I know."

Mr. Russell did not sound entirely convinced, and Anthony could not blame him. The ton could be petty. He thought of Lady Hastings, forced to marry a man she detested as penance for the mistakes of her youth.

He thought of Lady Bridget.

"For what little it may be worth," Anthony said, "I would place my bets on you."

"Thank you, Your Grace. I hope you do not lose your wager."

"Time will tell," Anthony said.

For what else could he offer?