Chapter 17

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

L eo was slowly unclenching the muscles in his body. Ellen had left their ranks with Gray, and he'd watched her until she'd reached her destination, which had been Hyacinth. Alex had then followed, but not Leo. That woman disturbed him far more than the younger version of her had.

"Good Lord, fancy you lot crawling out of your burrows."

"Hello, Cam," Leo said.

"It's good to see you, Seddon, and out among your peers for the first time in a long while," Cambridge Sinclair said. "I was just telling your cousin it was time."

"Stephen," Leo said, shaking his cousin's hand. "Good to see you again."

Stephen Blackthorne was his mother's second cousin, and they had all been close as children but had drifted apart when he joined the Army and the Nightingales had stepped away from society.

"Wonderful to see you all here, Leo," Stephen said.

"Are there any weddings or celebrations imminent in Crabbett Close?" Cam asked. "I want some more of Mrs. Douglas's treacle cake and Mr. Peeky's spiced rum." He smacked his lips together at the memory.

"I have just got the grass stains out of my carpet. My hope is there are at least six months before it is needed for the aisle again," Ram said.

Leo stood there watching the guests while trying not to search for Hyacinth and failing. Cam regaled them with hilarious stories about what had been happening at his newspaper.

"It was a sad day when Lord Lowell passed away. He was a good man," Stephen said, noting who Leo was looking at.

"You knew him?"

"I did. Kenneth was an astute businessman and a fair man despite his gruff exterior. We were, of course, surprised when he married Hyacinth, but for as many years apart they were in age, they seemed comfortable in each other's company."

Leo felt a twinge of jealousy that another man had made Hyacinth happy.

"We saw her the other day. Did you know she runs an agency helping women seek employment?" Stephen would not share what they discussed with anyone else, so Leo felt safe talking to him, and his cousin may have more insights about her.

"Does she really? Although I'm not surprised. Kenneth was not your average nobleman, and he had his fingers in many business pies. Perhaps he encouraged Hyacinth to do the same?"

"Perhaps."

"It is good to see you and the others here, cousin," Stephen said.

"I don't think I want to reenter society completely. This, I will admit, is all right, but I'm not sure I want more," Leo said .

"It is a start, cousin, but now I will leave you, as I need to dance with Miss Healy."

Leo watched Stephen walk to where a pretty auburn-haired woman was chatting with an older man.

"Seddon. Good to see you again," Mr. Hampton said, approaching him. Cam had now lured Ramsey away to the supper room.

Leo spent the next few hours talking, and for the most part, it was comfortable. There were still a few looks and whispered words, but he was an adult, as was his family, and words no longer hurt them.

When the Duke of Raven stepped on the raised platform to begin the proceedings, Leo moved to stand with his family.

"First to perform tonight," the duke said after his speech about those in need and why he did this each year, "is my beautiful duchess and the lovely Lady Lowell."

Leo couldn't believe what he was seeing. Hyacinth was taking the seat that had been placed beside the piano, where the duchess now sat, and in her hands was a violin.

"I didn't know she played that," Alex said under his breath.

"I didn't know either." Was this something she'd learned later in life, or was it something Hyacinth had never told him about, as she'd thought he wouldn't be interested?

"She really is a stunning woman," Harriet said.

"She is," Leo said before he could stop the words leaving his mouth.

"I remember she used to look at you like the sun rose and set when you did," Alex said softly. "It was nauseating."

"But now, because you look at me like that, you completely understand," Harriet added.

"Exactly."

"Nice recovery," Leo whispered to his brother. But he remembered the look Alex spoke of, because it had sometimes annoyed him that she was so besotted with him. The small-minded bastard he'd been had wanted her because she would have been a docile wife who took orders. He couldn't discount that back then. He'd even thought that taking a mistress would have been acceptable after he'd married Hyacinth.

"Why did you not tell me I was a small-minded imbecile?" Leo asked his brother.

"You were the heir and spoiled and indulged. I doubt you would have listened. Besides, I was not that different from you until I went away to war," Alex said. "Seeing oneself for what they were is never healthy. I suggest you put it from your mind."

"It's hard when we are faced with our past failures," Leo said.

"Ah, but we also get a chance to right the wrongs. Perhaps it's time you really talked to Cyn."

"Cyn?" Leo raised a brow.

"Apparently, she goes by that name now. She gave me leave to use it. Has she not done so with you?"

The innocent look did not fool Leo. His brother knew very well that he and Hyacinth were not on first-name terms again yet.

The music started, and he forgot about everything but her. The duchess was clearly talented also, but it was Hyacinth he could not take his eyes from. Her dress was cut low across her breasts, so when she leaned forward, he and everyone else in the room were rewarded with a glimpse of the curves beneath. Leo fought the urge to stomp up there and throw his jacket over her.

"That's a fierce expression, brother," Alex said. Leo ignored him.

Small emeralds in her hair twinkled as they caught the light from the chandelier above. She was exquisite and totally engrossed in the music.

"She's very good," Alex whispered. "A woman of hidden talents it seems."

"When did she give you leave to call her Cyn, Alex?"

"I just told her that her husband's spirit has been visiting me."

"I thought we discussed you not doing that here tonight."

"Lowell would have given me no peace until I did. We talked, and I told her about the triquetra and the bird of paradise. I then told her she needed to take care, as clearly her late husband was trying to tell me that there was danger around her."

"What did she say?" Leo asked, his eyes still locked on Hyacinth. The music she played was hauntingly beautiful.

"She told me that the women she helps at the Phoenix Agency are ladies of the night. I asked her if any of them come from the Bird of Paradise, but as someone was approaching, she didn't get a chance to answer. But she listened to me, at least, and did not run screaming from the room."

"That's something then," Leo said, applauding loudly along with the rest of the guests when Hyacinth and the duchess had finished.

"I told her if she needed help to send us word." Alex nodded.

"Thank you." He watched her walk from the stage.

"And now we will watch the auction and see if our bids are accepted," Alex said.

They watched the rest of the proceedings, and Leo's bid on the complete collection of the Captain Broadbent and Lady Nauticus books signed by the author was successful. Both Cam and Lord Raine raised a fist at him, as clearly they'd wanted them. Leo waved back .

He then stood with Alex and Harriet watching the dancers when the quartet started the next set, and he wondered if he would remember the steps if he took to the floor. Leo had once enjoyed dancing, perhaps because it was the only real chance to hold a woman and it not be deemed scandalous.

"Ask her to dance," Alex said, nudging Leo in the ribs.

"Who?"

"Don't play the fool with me, brother. Cyn is over there talking to that woman who keeps shooting glares our way."

"Why is she glaring at us?" Harriet asked.

"Not us, darling," Alex said. "Leo."

Dressed in peach satin, Harriet looked lovely. She and Alex made a handsome couple.

"That is Lady Bancroft. She was there the night I rescued Hyacinth from drowning."

"Then she should not be glaring at you after such heroic behavior," Harriet said, outraged on his behalf.

"Dance with Cyn. It will make you feel better," Alex said.

"How would dancing with a woman I was once to marry and walked away from make me feel better?"

"Champagne?"

Leo took a glass from the tray the young footman held out to him.

Alex did the same, his eyes on the man. "Do I know you?"

The footman smiled. "I'm a Greedy, sir. I know you are the Nightingales from Crabbett Close."

"Good Lord," Alex said. "How wonderful. Which side are you related to?"

"I'm their grandson on my father's side."

"Wonderful people, the Greedys," Alex said, doing what he did best—talking.

"We shall be sure to tell them what an excellent job you're doing," Harriet said .

He looked happy with that and wandered off to distribute more champagne.

"Crabbett Close residents are everywhere," Leo muttered.

"Amen. Now dance with Cyn."

"Why does he need to dance with Lady Lowell?" Warwick Sinclair said from behind Leo. Clearly he'd been standing there listening, and the Nightingales had not realized it.

"Because they were once to marry and are now acquaintances," Alex said.

"Oh, that's right," Warwick said. "I'd forgotten."

"Is it stuffy in here? I feel like it is. Should I get doors thrown open?" the Duchess of Raven said, stopping in front of Leo.

He bowed, as did Alex, and Harriet dropped into a curtsy.

"All this bowing and curtsying is exhausting." The duchess wrinkled her nose. "It is not necessary to do so again."

"I shall endeavor to ignore you then, Duchess," Leo said.

"I'd be most grateful. Now back to the doors."

"We've discussed this, Eden. Opening the doors will make the older guests moan they may get a chill, and then you'll have to close them again," Warwick said.

"True." She sighed. Eden then turned her green eyes on Leo. "Cyn is a wonderful person and a favorite of our family because of the wonderful work she does. You should dance with her."

"I… ah?—"

"Leave the past behind, Leo. It's best there." She then slid her arm through his. "Come along."

"To where?"

"Just a walk," the Duchess of Raven said.

Leo knew she was a powerful woman. She was a duchess, after all, but as he no longer walked in society, he did not have to play by the rules. However, he was a gentleman and liked her family, so he found his feet moving .

"I have no wish to dance, Duchess, if your intention is to find me a partner."

"I remember when you disappeared from society," she said softly so he had to bend to hear her words. "I thought at the time it was so sad that you and Cyn would not wed, as clearly that was intended."

"Duchess, I really?—"

"But then I also knew that the love was one-sided, and your heart was not hers."

"I was young," Leo said, his tone stiff.

"You both were. She suffered, you know. In fact, many in society made sure of it."

"Pardon?" His eyes searched for her again. Hyacinth was standing surrounded by a small party of both men and women.

"Cyn was ridiculed and teased by those who were pleased to see her downfall," the duchess continued. "Especially by the ones who thought you were too good for her."

"The ruin was mine, not hers," he said quickly. Her words had shocked him. Not once had he thought Hyacinth would suffer because he'd left her unmarried.

The duchess tsked. "The ruin was not yours or Hyacinth's. But society has some members whose intelligence would fill a thimble, Leo. Unfortunately, many of those have power. You of all people know exactly what they are capable of. Did you think she would not be made to suffer?"

He hadn't, to his shame.

"And now we can dance, as we have reached the floor. One hopes you have not forgotten," she said, waving him into the line opposite where she was now standing.

"Do I get a say?"

She smiled, and he heard at least two men sigh. "Do as you are told now, Lord Seddon."

He knew there was no way he could walk away from her, but he wanted to. The Duchess of Raven had just made him extremely uncomfortable.

"Move into line, Seddon. Do you need a few pointers on moves before the music starts?"

"No, thank you, Zachariel, I am more than capable of dancing, thank you."

"Just Zach, which you called me two nights ago when you skewered me with your foil." The youngest Deville reminded Leo of Alex. They could both be excessively annoying upon occasion.

"Stop tormenting my nephew, Deville," Uncle Bram said, joining the line.

"Torment? Surely not."

"The arms should be held in a well-rounded form, Seddon."

"Yes, thank you, Cam," Leo snapped as Eden's brother joined the line.

"Cambridge, that will do," Dev said to his brother.

"I'm simply helping him out. After all, he has not danced in years." Cam's expression was innocent, but Leo knew better. There was absolutely nothing about him that was innocent.

As the music began, Hyacinth stepped into the line two down from the duchess. Leo checked out of the corner of his eye who she was partnering with and saw it was Baron Ellington. He glanced at his uncle, who gave Leo a steady look, which he interpreted to mean behave.

Bad blood lay between Ellington and the Nightingales, as was evidenced by the man's behavior the night he'd pulled Hyacinth from the water.

"He is not worthy of your anger, Leo," Zach said softly. "He is a brainless fool."

"I know." But he wanted to punch the man. In fact, his fist clenched at the thought, especially now he was partnering with Hyacinth.

Her pretty face was once again expressionless. His eyes ran over the golden curls. He'd always wanted to see it released but had never had the chance, and he doubted he ever would. She did not look his way.

The music started, and Leo was forced to concentrate so he didn't end up face-first on the floor when he tripped over his feet.

"There, you see, it is not hard, and you are quite a natural," the duchess whispered as he took her hands and turned.

"You are too kind," he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Ellington was glaring at him when he chanced a look his way. Pure hatred radiated from his eyes. Leo smiled.

"Excellent response, Seddon," the Duke of Raven said, and when he'd appeared in the dance, Leo had no idea. "Don't stomp on my wife's feet," he then ordered before moving on.

After that he danced, talked, and ignored those he did not want to speak with. Leo kept an eye on his family too, making sure all were happy and didn't need him. They seemed comfortable, and of course, Uncle Bram, Alex, and Ellen all had spouses; they were never alone like him.