Drawn to the Duke (Hearts in Hiding #6)

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

“ I f I am to be seated opposite a mad woman and must make small talk, at least suggest how I might begin,” Beth said as they waited for their guests to gather in the drawing room prior to going in to dinner.

They were to be a table of eight, including Lord Saunders, Catherine, and Catherine’s sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Piggott.

Chauncy frowned. “I cannot say, Beth, since she spoke barely ten words to me.”

“Ten? So more than simply, “Your Grace”? What exactly did she say?”

Chauncy’s mouth turned up as he told her, and Beth repeated the odd compliment with a giggle before saying, “I do think your eyes are your best feature, Chauncy, so I would hope Sir Edward does them justice. I think it must be very difficult to produce a likeness quite so true that one can recognize it as the person being drawn. Painters always have to flatter the subject.”

“Sir Edward’s honesty and accuracy is, apparently, what sets him apart. While I find him not particularly prepossessing, I am told that, as a portraitist, he is a master.”

“I daresay he doesn’t feel like smiling very often with a mad wife who says embarrassing things in public,” replied Beth. “He’d not know what she was going to come out with next, which is why I’m so interested in seeing how she conducts herself at dinner.”

“She’s not one of the Prince Regent’s menagerie to gawk at, Beth.”

“That is usually the caution I would make, Chauncy.” Beth’s eyes danced. “Don’t tell me you are not as intrigued as I to know what she will say when she is not ruled by convention like the rest of us. She will say what she thinks, I daresay. And does that make her mad? Or honest?”

It didn’t take long to find out.

Seated between Edward and Mr. Piggott, Selina was conscious of all eyes upon her. There was a nervous anticipation, as if word had gone around that she was some strange, wild creature who might say or do something to bring down the sky.

She was also conscious of Edward’s seething anger, which had not abated since her impulsive words of earlier. He’d taken her to task when they’d dressed for dinner. In fact, he’d tried outright to forbid her from making an appearance until she reminded him that her opportunities of observing the duke close up were rare enough. At the table, he’d be only three seats away.

“I promise I will speak only when spoken to, Edward, and I will use my few snatched opportunities to study the duke’s interesting physiognomy to commit to the paper you know I carry at all times, which I will hide beneath the table,” she’d assured him.

“Meaning, you will be looking down; demure and compliant?”

“Whenever I am not being directly addressed, Edward. Yes! Now, I’m perfectly respectable, but I will need your help with the buttons at the back.”

Her earlier frustration with her brother was now replaced by sheer pleasure at feeling the weight and soft, silken texture of her exquisite gown as she stroked the pale pink overdress. It was the gown she was to have worn for her debut. Running away with Samuel had put paid to any opportunity to ever wear it.

By the time Samuel’s fortunes had been at their zenith—thanks to Selina’s efforts—he’d started to gamble away any of the funds his hardworking wife might have used to clothe herself in the manner to which she’d been born: the eighth child of a viscount of modest fortune but good social standing.

Samuel had not an artistic bone in his body, but he had charm. He knew how to draw the customers—vain women who desired a likeness. And Selina could whip up that likeness in an instant as she pretended to mix the paints at Samuel’s side. What Selina hadn’t realized for quite some time was the extent of Samuel’s charm, and how many of these women came back for ‘touch-ups’ when Selina was out.

Or perhaps Selina had been willfully blind. Yes, Selina had given up too much to accept that Samuel was straying, so it was only when she returned home one day to find screaming Mrs. Wylie half dressed, and Samuel dead in the bed of what the physician put down as apoplexy, that Selina accepted the extent of his philandering.

So, while Selina was now determined to do a marvelous job of the duke’s likeness, which meant sufficient close observations, she did concede Edward’s concerns. And, although she wouldn’t admit it to Edward’s face, she knew she had been too bold to have spoken to their host as she had. What woman would speak their admiration on a first acquaintance?

But Selina had always found it easier to speak the truth. Easier, certainly, than to lie.

And the Duke of Chauncy truly was a magnificent specimen.

Nevertheless, tonight she would please her brother. She’d keep her head down, her eyes lowered, and her mouth shut.

“Lady Boothe, what do you think of Chauncy House?”

Selina blinked in surprise. They’d barely begun the first course and hard-eyed Lady Saunders was quizzing her in a surprisingly direct manner. Although well past her first flush of youth, the woman was still a beauty. But a scornful one with a hard mouth.

Selina raised her head and sent a serene smile around the table. “It is a magnificent testament to the many generations that have transformed a draughty castle into an impressive ancestral home.” She caught Edward’s look of relief before she lowered her eyes once more.Yes, she’d executed her duties, as promised. The tense expectation that had gripped the company had not been lost on her. Perhaps fame of her uncertain temperament had preceded her and they were eagerly waiting for her to disgrace her ‘husband’. Well, she would not do that. Lady Saunders would be disappointed if she’d hoped for a colorful response.

Conversation resumed with various topics being discussed before Selina heard herself being addressed once again.

“Lady Boothe, might I compliment you on your evening dress? I’d love to know your opinion on mine? It was made for me in London for this season though, like you, I am fond of the flounces of five seasons ago.” Mrs. Piggott, a pale, freckled, though not entirely unattractive redhead, sent a pointed look at Selina’s clearly outmoded gown.

Selina frowned at the veiled insult. Mrs. Piggott was Lady Saunders’ sister; and Lord Saunders was a friend of the duke. Selina must temper her responses so as not to offend their host; despite Selina being highly offended by Mrs. Piggott’s unkind remark.

And it was prompted by malice, she knew. Selina had seen Mrs. Piggott and Lady Saunders sniggering in the corner of the drawing room earlier, in between glancing at Selina. At the time, Selina had dismissed the idea that they’d been gossiping about her, but now she knew they’d not only been talking behind her back, they’d been disparaging her.

Selina glanced at Edward, but he did not even appear to notice that Mrs. Piggott had blatantly insulted her by insinuating that her gown was five seasons old. Which it was.

Taking a deep breath, she smiled as she murmured, “You are very kind, Mrs. Piggott. And as for your lovely gown, rose sarsenet will compliment most women,” before she lowered her head, adding as she carefully carved a piece of beef, “unless they are a redhead.”