Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Despite the gulf of distance between them, Anthony had locked eyes with Lady Bridget. His gaze had taken her in as if she were a piece of fine art, each delicate curve of her body emphasized by her pale blue gown.

Anthony's heart ached. Anastasia would have favored that color, and he remembered first seeing her during a ball at Hamilton House. Perhaps the likeness to Anastasia should have upset him, but he would not have quite said that he was hurt. Instead, he felt the urge to approach Lady Bridget and ask her to dance, to perform those same steps that had once won Anastasia's heart.

Lady Bridget's companion, a young woman who looked quite like her, whispered something, and color rose across Lady Bridget's cheeks. It was a light, delicate flush. The sight of it made Anthony's throat dry. How often had his coy insinuations achieved that same look from Anastasia?

"We do not want to be too eager," the Dowager Duchess of Hamilton said beside him. "Let us walk the room first, Rose."

The dowager duchess was a tall and stately woman. Like Lady Rose, she was fair-haired, her eyes a light hazel color that appeared gold in the flickering candlelight.

"Right," Lady Rose said, smoothing her hands over her pink gown.

Anthony followed them as they began their circuit around the room. His eyes wandered toward where Lady Bridget had stood, but she was gone. The lady's companion remained standing by the wall. Anthony glanced into the ring of dancers, searching for the sight of Lady Bridget's blue gown. At last, he found her dancing with the Marquess of Thornton.

He grimaced. Anthony could not imagine a young lady like that having any interest in a man who was so old, so her acceptance was surely one born of polite duty rather than from any desire for the man. But then, Anthony was assuming that Lady Bridget knew anything about desire. Perhaps she did not.

They reached Lady Bridget's companion. "Anna!" Lady Rose exclaimed. "It is so good to see you!"

Lady Anna smiled and lightly clasped Lady Rose's hands. "Likewise. This is a lovely ball."

"It is my aunt who deserves the praise for that," Lady Rose said. "May I introduce my guardian, the Duke of Hamilton, and the Dowager Duchess of Hamilton?"

Lady Anna curtsied. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Your Graces."

"This is Lady Anna," Lady Rose said. "Her father is the Duke of Norfolk."

"I know His Grace well," the dowager duchess said.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Anthony said. "I had the joy of meeting your sister just a few days ago."

"She mentioned it," Lady Anna said, her eyes bright and curious.

"She is dancing with the Marquess of Thornton," Lady Rose put in, furrowing her brow.

"Indeed. He is a close friend of our father," Lady Anna said. "I am sure that he sought to spare one of us the indignity of being a wallflower."

Lady Rose opened her mouth as if she meant to say something, but she seemed to think better of it. Anthony arched an eyebrow. He wondered if Lady Rose knew something about the situation that he did not. Maybe Lady Bridget truly did favor the Marquess of Thornton and what he and Lady Anna perceived as a polite acceptance was something more. He found himself irrationally displeased at the thought of Lady Bridget desiring that man.

"What about your own prospects?" the dowager duchess asked. "You are too beautiful not to be asked to dance yourself."

Lady Anna smiled politely. "I have been watching a gentleman throughout the evening, and I believe he has been watching me. Perhaps he will find someone to arrange a formal introduction between us."

"Who is it?" Lady Rose asked.

"The gentleman in the blue jacket speaking to Lord Thurwell."

Anthony's eyes landed readily on the gentleman. "Mr. David Russell," he said. "He is a merchant's son, who did some business with the late Duke of Hamilton."

"When Bridget and I walked past him earlier, I heard him mention an artist who I am particularly fond of," Lady Anna said.

"Well!" the dowager duchess exclaimed. "I am acquainted with Mr. Russell, too. Shall I introduce you to him?"

Lady Anna's face brightened. "I would be delighted, Your Grace."

The dowager duchess smiled at Anthony. "Please ensure that Rose finds a respectable gentleman to dance with."

Before Anthony could respond, she swept away with Lady Anna, the two of them moving swiftly across the ballroom.

"I feel vaguely as though we have been abandoned," Lady Rose said.

Anthony chuckled. "It does feel that way. Well, I suppose I am to find you a suitor. Is there any particular gentleman who has caught your fancy?"

"None yet," Lady Rose said.

Anthony clasped his hands behind his back and surveyed the crowd again. He found Lady Bridget quite easily. Anthony drew in a sharp breath, as he watched her dance with Lord Thornton. Her every move was delicate and feminine, from how she raised her hand to the way her hips moved just so as she turned.

Anthony dug his nails into his palms, imagining it was his hand guiding Lady Bridget through the steps of the dance rather than Lord Thornton's. He imagined his fingers gliding along the fine fabric of her dress, so thin that he would be able to feel the warmth of her skin through the material. Perhaps he could even tease her or utter something to make that beautiful flush return to her face.

The song ended, and Lord Thornton escorted Lady Bridget from the dance floor. Anthony found himself walking in their direction, driven by the need to intercede. He would ask the lady for a dance. His blood roared in his ears, and he clenched his jaw at how Lord Thornton kept his hand at the small of Lady Bridget's back. It was a casual gesture. There was nothing inappropriate about it, and yet that small touch made something within Anthony burn brightly.

"Have you found someone for me?" Lady Rose asked, oblivious to the sudden heat that overcame him.

Lady Rose, of course, ought to be his priority. Anthony tried to steady himself and to turn his attention toward the lords of the ton, many of whom would be exceptional matches for his cousin, but he could not. Wherever he turned his head, he longed to let his attention return once more to Lady Bridget.

Glass shattered, accompanied by a lady's startled yell, and Anthony turned at once toward the direction of the sound. Once more, his gaze landed on Lady Bridget. His first, instinctive thought was that Lord Thornton must have hurt her somehow, but a quick glance revealed that the lady was unharmed. The same could not be said of her sodden gown and the shattered glasses at her feet.

"Let us ensure that your friend is well," Anthony said, the words emerging in a breathless rush.

With every step, the scene unfolded before Anthony as if he were watching a play. A young servant, bearing an empty tray, stammered out apologies as Lord Thornton's face grew redder.

"You oaf! Are you blind?" the marquess shouted. "Look at what you have done to Lady Bridget's gown!"

"I am terribly sorry for—"

"Are you?" Lord Thornton snapped. "You are not sorry enough. I do not think!"

"My lord," Lady Bridget said, "I am certain it was an accident—"

"That hardly matters! Your gown is ruined from his negligence!"

"And I will purchase her another one," Anthony said firmly.

Everyone's gazes suddenly snapped to him. The sound of shattering glass and Lord Thornton's raised voice had drawn an audience. Lady Bridget seemed to realize it, too, for her cheeks pinkened and her eyes swept anxiously about the crowd. The poor lady looked as though she would rather be anywhere else.

"Accidents happen," Anthony continued evenly. "This is a night of celebration and revelry. Surely there is no need to be so upset by a man's mistake. You should let things be."

"It is not your place to tell me what I should do," the Marquess of Thornton said stiffly.

Anthony hummed. "No? I do believe we are in my house, are we not?"

Lord Thornton scowled. "Then I shall speak to Her Grace about her incompetent staff!" he snapped.

The Marquess of Thornton stormed away, the crowd parting to make way for him. It seemed as though no one wanted to chance the lord's fury turning toward them.

"I hope this does not ruin the night!" Anthony exclaimed, raising his voice.

The ton slowly fell into their own conversations, whispering excitedly about the incident. Anthony glanced at the hapless servant.

"It could have happened to anyone," he said. "See that the glass is cleaned up, and all will be well. I promise."

"Thank you, Your Grace."

That was one matter settled. Now he just had to appease the lady. Anthony turned just in time to see Lady Bridget slip through the doors leading to the balcony before she vanished entirely from view.

Anthony glanced at Lady Rose, but her attention had been captured by Lady Anna and an older woman whom Anthony suspected was the Duchess of Norfolk. He supposed the task of comforting Lady Bridget fell upon him, then.

Anthony could not deny that he rather enjoyed the thought.