A Most Unlikely Betrothal by Alice Kirks

Chapter 3

 

 

A morning and a new acquaintance

 

 

 

It felt bright in the street, though it wasn’t particularly less cloudy than usual. Ryan walked alongside Jasper, feeling surprisingly frustrated with his friend and even more so with himself.

 

 

 

“Jasper … you must have.” Ryan felt annoyed. He had been asking Jasper all morning, with tedious regularity, whether he knew anything about the girl he’d met yesterday. Apparently, he hadn’t seen Ryan with her all evening.

 

 

 

“Unfortunately, no,” Jasper said. He looked at his friend, a small smile lifting the corners of his mouth fondly. “I didn’t see any mysterious brown-haired, blue-eyed ladies you talked to yesterday at the ball. Was that before or after I went to talk to Lord Rockley and his group?”

 

 

 

“Just after,” Ryan said firmly. “About ten minutes after.”

 

 

 

Jasper shook his head. “I didn’t see her, unfortunately. What was it that caught your interest?”

 

 

 

Ryan blinked. “What do you mean?” He felt affronted. Was it so unusual for him to like somebody? He swallowed, realising that it was.

 

 

 

Jasper grinned. “Just that there were a dozen beautiful young ladies you talked to yesterday – I saw them, and any one of them could be described as arresting or admirable – and yet this one, particularly, has you demanding of all of us who were there if we happened to notice her?”

 

 

 

Ryan looked away. He knew it was unusual. He had a habit of acting disinterest, even when something caught his attention, thinking it made him look jaded and sophisticated. Last night, he had seen someone with true confidence, though, and that had shaken him out of his cool, aloof act.

 

 

 

“Yes, I liked her,” he admitted.

 

 

 

Jasper laughed. “That’s a fellow! Well, I wish I had the delight of spotting her.” He gestured ahead. They had been walking down a crowded street and had arrived outside the club Jasper frequented. “Shall we enter? I reckon maybe Rockley and his crowd are here, and they could tell us who was there. If anybody might have seen your mysterious beauty, perhaps they did.”

 

 

 

Ryan swallowed. He was not, oddly, the sort of person who often attended gentlemen’s clubs. He pretended to be. He actually found he disliked the dark, smokey interiors where people crowded to talk about racing, boxing, and other things that didn’t really hold much appeal. But, since he was a duke and a member of the ton, it was expected, and so he did it, even against his judgement.

 

 

 

“Yes,” he said. “Mayhap they will.”

 

 

 

He went in through the big doors, Jasper nodding to the footman who stood at the entrance. His friend was clearly recognised as someone who came often, and Ryan walked in beside him, feeling uneasy.

 

 

 

He looked around. It was dark in there, as he had expected, and the big leather seats at the tables looked just as stiff as he might have guessed. Two other people were in there, sitting at a table and playing a card game. Ryan noticed Jasper incline his head to them and guessed he knew at least one of the gentlemen.

 

 

 

“Exterfield,” he greeted one of the men warmly. “How are you this morning? Did you enjoy the ball?”

 

 

 

Exterfield – a pale man with pale brown hair – yawned. “Quite thoroughly,” he said. “So much so that I can barely wake up.”

 

 

 

Jasper laughed. “Grand. May we join you?”

 

 

 

Ryan tensed. He had wanted to spend the morning talking with Jasper – he hardly ever had a chance to see him nowadays. He and Jasper were both so busy, and the rare moments Jasper had alone, he spent with Adeline. Ryan looked sullenly at the other two gentlemen, but when they shrugged and shifted so that Jasper could sit down, he sat alongside.

 

 

 

“We were playing whist,” Exterfield said. He gestured at the table. “Want to play? I was winning, but I reckon we can start again.”

 

 

 

The other gentleman laughed. “Most happily.”

 

 

 

They all laughed, and Ryan leaned back, surprised that he was feeling relaxed. He usually hated this sort of company. He grinned to himself – he was so distracted, thinking about the lady from Almack’s Assembly, that he barely had time to maintain his usual act of disgruntlement.

 

 

 

“So, Your Grace,” the other man greeted him. “We’ve not been introduced. I’m Alfred Hadley.”

 

 

 

“Pleased to meet you,” Ryan said. He surprised himself. It was so unlike him to be so friendly, to shake hands with strangers so informally. “I am Ryan Wellston.” He didn’t add “His Grace, Duke of Claypool,” because if the young man had addressed him as “Your Grace” already, he clearly knew. He glanced at Jasper, who was leaning back, a glass of something in one hand. He was surprised at how quickly Jasper had relaxed and accustomed himself to the place, the company, and the cards.

 

 

 

He looked around, feeling unsettled again. He needed to know who the young girl he’d talked to was, but he was starting to feel awkward about asking. He couldn’t very well just ask everyone until he found someone who remembered her. It would look silly. He looked at Jasper, who was studying his cards with intent. At least his friend wouldn’t be listening.

 

 

 

“Are you here for the Season?” Alfred asked him, making him blink with surprise. Usually, people didn’t approach him or talk to him so readily.

 

 

 

He nodded. “I am.” He looked down at his cards, realising it was his turn. He selected a card at random and heard someone swear under their breath. He was surprised when he noticed he’d actually chosen rather well.

 

 

 

“Having a good time?” Alfred asked him.

 

 

 

Ryan made a hesitant face. “I suppose it’s nice.” He hated the Season – he only participated because Marlford said he had to. He knew it was his duty to father the next duke, but it wasn’t something he ever thought about. He was enjoying this Season well enough, oddly, though.

 

 

 

Remembering how much he’d enjoyed last night’s ball brought him back to the topic that had been on his mind all day. “Were you at Almack’s Assembly yesterday evening?” he asked, watching Alfred’s face carefully, intent on his answer and on asking him the next question – about the nameless lady.

 

 

 

“I was,” Alfred said, inclining his head agreeably. “I danced a fair old bit – didn’t see you there. Did you attend too?”

 

 

 

“I did,” Ryan agreed. He felt a little upset – he had danced rather a lot. Well, five whole dances, to be precise. But he was sure that if Alfred had been there, he would have seen him at some point. He put his annoyance aside and drew a breath. “Did you notice a particular young lady? One in a white gown, with brown hair and blue eyes?”

 

 

 

He heard a chuckle from Jasper, but his friend was only commenting on the cards. He felt glad that Jasper hadn’t been listening to him. If he heard him ask about the mystery girl again, he would certainly chuckle.

 

 

 

Alfred shrugged. “Can’t say I did, old chap. Ah! Look. Randall! There you are! Come on and join us! We’re playing already – you can get a drink there from the footman … maybe you can answer this mystery question for us.”

 

 

 

Ryan turned to see who had arrived. A tall man was walking in, grey-haired with a strong face, quite appealing-looking in a cool, assured way. He was tall, slim, and had piercing dark eyes. Ryan guessed he must be at least twenty years his senior. He shifted on the bench as the man came to join them.

 

 

 

“Good morning, Alfred,” he greeted him. He nodded to Ryan. “Good morning. Let me sit here, so I can at least introduce myself.” He grinned at him in a friendly way. Alfred moved up so the man could settle beside him. “What question is this?” he added.

 

 

 

Ryan looked over at the man, wondering about him. He was interested to meet him, which in a morning full of surprises, was just another. He glanced at Alfred, wondering if he was going to make an introduction.

 

 

 

Alfred nodded. “Well, I’ll do the introductions first, Randall. The question involves a mysterious lady. Your Grace, I would like to introduce my friend. May I present the honourable Mr Randall Newford. He is the brother of Viscount Atfield.” He cleared his throat. “Randall, this is His Grace, the Duke of Clayford.”

 

 

 

“Pleased to meet you.” Ryan inclined his head, surprised when the older man shook his hand firmly, his smile lighting up.

 

 

 

“You must be the child of Leeson. Is that right?”

 

 

 

Ryan nodded. It sounded so strange to hear his father referred to by name. He drew a breath.

 

 

 

“You were acquainted with him?”

 

 

 

“Acquainted! We frequented the same club!” The older man shook his head, a smile on his face as if he was looking into the former years when he and the duke had been friends. “I am so surprised to meet his son. His only son, am I right?”

 

 

 

“Yes,” Ryan said. He felt awkward. This was a friend of his father! He wanted to hear everything he had to say about the previous duke, but he had no idea how to ask him. “I am his only child.”

 

 

 

“I see.” Randall nodded. He tilted his head to one side, studying Ryan. “I was sorry to hear of his passing.”

 

 

 

Ryan nodded. “It was many years ago. But I still think of him, and I thank you.” He was surprised to notice that his voice ached with feelings. He had thought he was far from mourning for his father, but meeting this man reminded him of the man he had lost.

 

 

 

“Now,” Randall said, leaning back in his chair, “what was this mystery? I do love a good mystery.”

 

 

 

Ryan grinned. He was shy now, aware that Jasper and Exterfield were listening, too. He cleared his throat. “I won’t ask anyone else after this,” he said by way of introduction, “but I met a young lady the night before at Almack’s. I have been trying all day to learn her identity. Nobody so far remembers her from the ball. I have one question – were you there?”

 

 

 

“No,” Randall said, and Ryan felt rather upset.

 

 

 

“Well,” Randall said, one brow raised. “What is it, then? I might not have been there, but yet I might know this lady. Tell us of her – I am sure I am not the only one wanting to know by now.”

 

 

 

Ryan cleared his throat. “Well, all I know is what she looked like – that she is shorter than me by perhaps a hand’s length, that she had brown hair and blue eyes and was wearing a white silk dress.” He saw Alfred grin. “Yes, I know, half the ladies at Almack’s can be relied on to wear white. But those are the only facts I can use to identify her.” He looked hopefully at everyone at the table.

 

 

 

Randall shrugged. “I’m afraid I know no such lady. I can only encourage you to search well. If you were so taken with her, I feel sure there must be something special about her.”

 

 

 

Ryan smiled. He was pleased to have this assurance, especially from an older man he felt must know more than himself.

 

 

 

He gave him a thankful glance. “Thank you for your encouragement.” He cast a look around the table at the others, wanting to make it clear that they had been less than interested in assisting him.

 

 

 

Randall shrugged. He gestured to the footman, wanting a drink. “I know a few things, young man. One of them is that if anything tickles your fancy, then you should pay attention.”

 

 

 

Ryan smiled. He wanted to say that the young lady had done more than that – she had interested him considerably. But he was too shy.

 

 

 

“A glass of port wine?” the footman asked Randall, who shrugged.

 

 

 

“Bit early, eh?” he asked.

 

 

 

Ryan nodded. “I suppose so, sir.”

 

 

 

Randall smiled. “That’s a good fellow! Well, no, thank you. I’ll take a drink later.”

 

 

 

Ryan felt surprised and impressed by the older man. He wanted to hear more about him and especially to hear more about the previous duke, his own father. He rarely met people who had known him, and it was always wonderful to hear their stories of him. It made him seem closer to Ryan somehow. He took a breath, about to ask him a question, but Alfred was passing him his cards.

 

 

 

“I’ll sit out the next round,” he said. “I’ve played too much today.”

 

 

 

Ryan looked down at his cards, feeling pleased that Randall would stay. He passed them to Alfred, who was ready to deal the next round. Randall accepted a hand and started to play.

 

 

 

Ryan found his thoughts drifting from his father to the mysterious lady. He wondered where she was. He wondered, too, if the interaction between them had made any impression on her. Maybe she had just enjoyed leaving him stranded in the ballroom and had forgotten about him.

 

 

 

He looked up as Randall stood, adjusting his jacket. “I must go,” he said. “My apologies – I forgot about a silly meeting with my solicitor.” He shook his head as if managing his money was tiresome. Ryan grinned at that. “I was so pleased to be able to talk with you,” he said.

 

 

 

“Thank you, sir,” Ryan said warmly.

 

 

 

He stood as Randall left, and so did the others. He found he wasn’t too interested in playing, and neither were the others if the desultory way they put cards on the table was any indication. He was not surprised when Alfred stood up a few moments later.

 

 

 

“I should probably go too,” he said. “I should settle something with my accountant. Some bill I can finally pay now.”

 

 

 

“Grand.”

 

 

 

Jasper smiled at Alfred and, as they stood when he left, Ryan glanced at him.

 

 

 

“Should we go?” he asked.

 

 

 

Jasper shrugged. “I reckon so,” he said. “I feel the need to walk this morning – I suppose if I don’t keep moving, I’ll fall asleep.”

 

 

 

Ryan had to smile. “Well, then. Let’s go outside. I wouldn’t mind walking down the road, either. There were some interesting shops on the way.” He didn’t really need anything, but it was always nice to look. One good thing about London was the possibility to obtain things – gloves, cravats, and that sort – without having to search far and wide. There were a few streets where there were so many shops one was almost certain to find whatever one sought.

 

 

 

He walked with Jasper out of the club.

 

 

 

It was a cool morning, and he was glad of his hat and coat. He walked along, listening to Jasper telling a story about his last trip to check something in his accounts. He wasn’t really paying attention to anything, thinking about what he might ask Randall next time he saw him.

 

 

 

He couldn’t help being delighted by the fact that he’d met someone who knew his father! He recalled his father’s portrait when he almost walked into somebody. A coach had stopped at the side of the street, and two people climbed out. He blinked as he looked at the girl he had walked into.

 

 

 

“You!” he said.

 

 

 

The mystery lady raised a brow. “It’s you! Well, that is a surprise.” She made a face, and he had to laugh.

 

 

 

“My Lady, you seem somewhat unsurprised.”

 

 

 

“Surprised? I certainly am. Perhaps one should bear in mind that surprises come in many sorts.”

 

 

 

He chuckled. “My Lady! You are refreshing. I have been here two weeks and have met nobody who says exactly what they think, so eloquently.”

 

 

 

“Thank you. I find it advantageous to say what I think. It makes things less complex.”

 

 

 

He nodded. His face was transformed with a smile. He couldn’t keep from grinning. He glanced down the pavement to where Jasper was standing, a few feet away. He was talking to a fellow who was pointing at a shop, and Ryan was grateful that he hadn’t noticed his preoccupation. There was a woman with the mysterious lady; he guessed her to be a chaperone. He inclined his head politely, and the woman curtseyed.

 

 

 

“My Lady,” he said. “I must say your method of speaking your mind is to be emulated. I wish I could so easily tell you what was in my thoughts.”

 

 

 

“You may,” she said, a smile on her lips. “I am sure that it will not be so shocking.”

 

 

 

He laughed. “I assure you, My Lady. It is not shocking. I simply wish I knew you better.”

 

 

 

She raised a brow. “You have already learned one fact – that I speak my mind. I declare, you know me better by half again than you did a moment before.”

 

 

 

He was grinning. She had a truly wonderful way of speaking. She said so much, and at the same time, he ached to know actual fact. Who was she? Why was she here? What was it that made her keep her identity secret? He was determined to know more about her, and he found himself walking along with her, all three of them going towards where Jasper strolled to the shops the fellow he’d been talking with had shown him.

 

 

 

“My Lady,” he said. “I know that I know so much compared to a moment ago. But I still ache for one piece of information – I know not your name.”

 

 

 

She raised a brow. “If we meet for a third time, I shall tell you.”

 

 

 

Ryan let out a sigh. “Why can you not just tell me now?”

 

 

 

She tilted her head. “If you tell me your name, there is no harm in it for you. If I tell you my name, my reputation depends on trusting you. And I do not even know as much about you as you do about me.”

 

 

 

Ryan nodded. He felt stupid. He should have thought of that. He could hear what that meant for her. He cleared his throat, trying to think of something to say, something that might serve to make him seem like a responsible person. He could think of nothing to say, and by the time he had decided what he might reply, she had managed to step neatly around the crowd that thronged in front of them and eluded him.

 

 

 

“Dash it.”

 

 

 

He looked for her, but he couldn’t spot her, and he thought that she must have taken advantage of his confused state and slipped into one of the streets running off the main road. He glanced around, but there were so many ladies in white bonnets that he couldn’t spot her. He saw Jasper standing on the roadside and went across to him, feeling shy.

 

 

 

“I was talking to the girl from last night,” he said as he went to where he waited so patiently across the street from them. “She just happened to be here.” He looked at Jasper. “I asked her for her name this time.”

 

 

 

“Grand.” Jasper smiled. He could see genuine fondness in his friend’s face, and he thought he approved. “Well, I’m so pleased that you had the chance to do that. And I hope you will take your card around soon.”

 

 

 

“I didn’t get her name. She wouldn’t tell it to me. She said she wouldn’t because she has no idea of who I am as a person.”

 

 

 

Jasper nodded. “I suppose that makes sense,” he said fairly. “You have to admit you might do the same, should you be a young woman instead of a young man.”

 

 

 

Ryan tilted his head in agreement. “Yes,” he said. “I suppose.”

 

 

 

He tried to fight down the longing he felt – wanting to run back the way they had come and seek her out. He couldn’t believe he had a chance of finding out who she was, and he had managed it so badly! He wished he could find her so that finally he might find out her name.

 

 

 

He pushed the thought to the back of his mind. He was in London, and there were not so many gentry and nobles, and so the chance of seeing her again must be great – he had to believe that.

 

 

 

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