Only a Lady Will Do by Tamara Gill
Chapter 21
Sophie sipped her Madeira and studied Miss Cooper and the Dowager Duchess Penworth as they made a tour of the room, conversing with the others present at the Norwich ball. She ground her teeth, wondering what it was that Penworth saw in the little country mouse.
She was, in her esteemed opinion, no one of considerable beauty. Even with her rose-colored dress this evening, the heavier silk train that overlapped the gown at its back, Miss Cooper still was not the most handsome woman present.
Still, the duke sought her out, doted on her for some mysterious reason. She smiled to herself at what she had put into place earlier today. Her plan in getting what she wanted at any cost.
The duke would read the anonymous letter she had delivered to his Albany rooms, and he would be on guard this evening. It was the least that he deserved considering he had not offered to Sophie in all the time he had known her. He had given her hope where there was no hope to have. He would pay for treating her like a worthless piece of skirt he grew tired of and moved on from.
It was a pity that Miss Cooper would pay too for his deplorable actions toward her, but she would not apologize for seizing an opportunity that would make the duke regret his choice.
Poor man.
Sophie finished her drink, her attention snapping to the door when the duke was announced. His smile was fixed, but his eyes gave him away. Unease and speculation shone from his blue orbs, and she knew he had read her missive.
Good. The truth always came out to play eventually. It was time the duke owned up to his and face whatever came his way once spoken.
The Norwich ball was in full swing by the time the duchess and Iris arrived. They had dined first at home, deciding to forgo supper at the ball and return home then since the duchess had an early appointment in the morning with the modiste.
Iris looked about the room, trying to see if Josh had arrived when he was announced at the door. She drank in the sight of him as he paid his respects to the host and hostess before starting into the room.
He cut a line through the throng of guests, making his way over to them. Iris could not take her eyes from his person. His very presence made her heart jump, and she hoped that would always be the case.
What she felt around him, the utter thrill of having him at her side, bestowing sweet but equally wicked looks upon her, was an addiction for which she did not want a cure.
"Iris," he said, taking her hand. She expected him to kiss her gloved fingers. Instead, he pulled her against him and kissed her cheek.
"You look beautiful, my darling. How I wish we were elsewhere."
His roguish words sent a thrill to spike through her. She heard some audible gasps but did not bother to look to see who had seen his familiarity. What was their affection to anyone else? They were to be married. There was nothing wrong with showing affection.
"I wish that too, Your Grace," she whispered before he stepped back and bowed to his mother, greeting her.
The duke stood beside her, taking a glass of wine from a passing footman. Iris watched as he studied the guests, a small frown between his brows.
"Is something troubling you, Your Grace?" she asked him, knowing that there was.
He shook his head, dismissing her concerns, but the way that he stood, as if on guard, ready to strike down any attack… His continued silence was at odds with his normal self.
Whatever was the matter with him?
"Ah, you are here this evening. So lovely to see you all," Lady Isolde Worthingham, now Duchess Moore said, joining them.
The dowager duchess kissed her daughter's cheek before reintroducing Her Grace to Iris.
"What a crush the Norwich ball is this evening. Do let me know if you wish to leave early, Mama. I'm more than happy to escort you and Miss Cooper home."
"Where is Moore this evening?" the dowager asked, glancing about the room and looking for her son-in-law.
"He did not wish to attend, and so I have come with Elizabeth. She is over near the smoking room talking to Lady Morrison."
Iris smiled as Lady Morrison gestured wildly as she spoke with Lady Elizabeth Worthingham, now Countess Muir before she noted Lord Templedon headed their way. Iris was reminded of seeing him on the street with Lady Sophie and couldn't help but wonder if his interest in her was borne out of Lady Sophie's interest in the duke.
Iris was no fool. Like so many young ladies present in London this Season, she knew Lady Sophie wanted to win the hand of the most-sought-after duke.
But would she continue to try to win him when Iris had won his hand already? If Lady Sophie attempted to injure her standing in society or ruin her engagement in some nefarious means, Iris doubted it would end in a marriage proposal from the duke. If anything, it would make him shy away from such an alliance with a woman so nasty at heart.
Lord Templedon bowed, greeting them all affably. Josh placed her hand upon his arm, marking her as his without a word spoken.
"How jolly this ball is this evening. I was hoping to make it even grander by stealing away your betrothed, Your Grace?" he asked the duke, his eyes calculating but amused.
Iris did not trust him in the least, not after seeing him with Lady Sophie, but still, what could the man say or do that would persuade her to break off her engagement to the duke? Their alliance may not be born out of love, he had kissed her, and they had been caught. Nothing more than that. But that did not mean their union could not grow into love and adoration. Something she was hoping was already happening between them.
As for Templedon's offer to dance, there was no harm in it. He could not injure her in any way. Iris let go of the duke's arm and reached for Templedon. "Of course, my lord. I shall like to dance."
She cast a lingering glance at His Grace as she walked out onto the floor, not missing the deadly glare he had marked against his lordship.
Why was it that Josh hated the man so very much? He may be a rogue, calculating and teasing toward the opposite sex, but he was as dangerous as a mouse to Iris.
No one compared to Josh, and she knew no one ever would.
"I discovered the oddest thing the other day, my lord," Iris said as they lined up for a country reel.
"Really?" he queried, throwing her a benign smile. "Do tell me what you discovered. I'm always up for a good intrigue."
The musicians started to play, and the dance commenced. Iris moved and weaved about Lord Templedon, pleased that this dance at least allowed some conversation.
"I saw you on Piccadilly street the other day with Lady Sophie. I did not know that you were, in fact, cousins."
The smile on his lordship slipped a little at her words before he righted his countenance and was once more himself. Iris thought about that little slip. Whatever did it mean? Guilty conscience, perhaps?
"Distant cousins, Miss Cooper, but we are friends. We're family, after all. Blood must come before anything else and all that. Do you not agree?"
Iris could agree with that statement, of course. But did his blood kin to Lady Sophie mean they were in cohorts together to injure Iris in some way? Steal the duke from her?
She wasn't sure why she had this inkling, but the fact Lady Sophie had not reached out the hand of friendship since her betrothal announcement did make her question. Lady Sophie had wanted to be friends before, so why not after?
Was it because she wanted the duke for herself?
"Of course, that goes without saying," she said. "Please give my regards to Lady Sophie when you speak with her next and tell her I miss our chats. I thought we were becoming fine friends, but I have not spoken to her for several days now, not even when we attend the same balls. I hope I have not offended her in some way."
Iris watched Lord Templedon. He glanced about the room, a fine sheen of sweat on his brow. "Of course not. I'm certain it is nothing but a coincidence that you have not conversed. I shall mention it to her. Ensure she calls on you soon."
Iris smiled, no longer caring if the friendship continued or not. She merely wanted both Templedon and Lady Sophie to know she had seen them, and her curiosity was spiked. "That would be most appreciated," she said, moving down the line of dancers, taking her from his lordship a moment before the dance brought her back again.
"Speaking of spying, I did see you as well out the other day, riding with the duke in Hyde Park. I did not think you would go there since, well, you know," he alluded, his eyes sparkling with malice. "It was where your accident occurred. I thought it quite harsh of His Grace to be so ignorant of your pain."
Spy? She had never spied on him as he was suggesting with his words. She had merely arrived at the bookstore and seen them. "That was a long time ago, my lord. I prefer to move forward in my life. I know Redgrove would wish that for me."
"Of course," he agreed. "You know, of course, that Redgrove was an acquaintance of mine and the duke’s. I only say this because I care for your emotional well-being. It must have been hard to lose your betrothed in such a foolish manner."
Iris frowned, uncertain of what he meant. "Redgrove took a turn too fast. There was no foolishness in his mistake. He made an error and paid dearly for it. We both did. But he was not acting the fool."
"Hmm, of course, Miss Cooper," he stated, disbelief written across his features as clear as a Cornwall night sky. What was the man trying to allude to? Did he know something that she did not of the accident?
The dance came to an end, and before she could ask, Lord Templedon had deposited her back with Josh and his mother. His sister having moved on to other acquaintances of theirs.
Josh placed her arm on his, holding her close. "I do not like you dancing with that rogue. He's not to be trusted."
She smiled at her fiancé, enjoying his public display of jealousy. "Templedon is no threat to you, Your Grace. No one is," she admitted, no truer words spoken.
His eyes darkened with promise, and Iris counted down the hours until she was abed and Josh could sneak in to see her. Would he come tonight? Was he game enough to steal upstairs and into her room?
Iris crossed her fingers, hoping her wish would come true and the ball passed quickly so they could leave.
