The Truth about the Earl (Whispers of the Ton #1)

Chapter 5

Chapter Five

“ I t seems as though Lord Jennings is quite absent from London.”

Norah gave her acquaintance a small smile. “That is a relief, I suppose.”

“Oh, a very great relief!” Lady Adlay replied, looping her arm through Norah’s as they walked through Lord Baxter’s drawing room and made their way to the door. “Lord Jennings is a gentleman who is entirely disinclined toward decent behavior and I have always been loath to remain in his company. I am only glad now that the ton sees the truth of his character.”

Norah smiled to herself, a swell of satisfaction in her heart. That was only her first article and yet the secret she had revealed had brought great relief to many. That was precisely what she intended to do for her next piece, although what it was to be, Norah did not yet know.

“There is Lady Maude.” A slight intonation in Lady Adlay’s voice caught Norah’s attention and she looked at her friend in surprise. Lady Adlay smiled back at her, catching her look. “You have not been introduced to her, then?”

“No, I have not.”

Lady Adlay opened her mouth, then closed it again with a snap, shaking her head as she did so. “I shall introduce you rather than say anything about the lady in question. You may make up your mind about her, I think.”

Willing to accept this, Norah walked alongside Lady Adlay to where the young lady stood. Her first impression was that Lady Maude was a willowy young lady who had a striking appearance. Her figure was shapely, her rosebud lips, alabaster skin, and fine eyes sure to capture the attention of almost every London gentleman. She was, of course, a diamond of the first water and from the slightly cool smile on her lips, Norah was quite certain that the lady was all too aware of just how well she appeared.

“Lady Maude, good afternoon.” Lady Adlay turned to Norah. “Permit me to introduce Lady Essington to you. Lady Essington, Lady Maude, daughter to the Earl of Burnley.”

“Very pleased to make your acquaintance.” Norah dropped into a curtsy and was a little surprised when the young lady only bobbed a very hasty curtsy in return, her eyes drifting away from Norah’s after only a few seconds.

“And yours, of course.” She waved a hand. “And my dear friend, Miss Patterson.” Lady Maude’s disinterest appeared more than evident, particularly when she made no attempt to further the conversation. Once Norah had greeted Miss Patterson – who remained silent and with a slightly bowed head as though she were in the presence of royalty and did not want to speak until she was spoken to – a silence grew between Norah and Lady Maude. Astonishment gave way to frustration at the lady’s lack of consideration and Norah threw a glance toward Lady Adlay, who merely arched one eyebrow in return.

“And are you enjoying the Season?” Struggling to find something to say that might encourage conversation, Norah waited for Lady Maude to respond, only for her to turn a little more to her left, opening her fan and fluttering it gently in front of her eyes.

“Good afternoon, Lady Maude.”

Norah turned a little more, taking in that there were not one but three gentlemen taking turns to bow toward the lady. Her eyes traveled back to the lady in question and saw, much to her surprise, that there was a warm smile on her lips and that her eyes had brightened considerably.

“Evidently, we are unworthy of Lady Maude’s attention,” Lady Adlay murmured in her ear and Norah rolled her eyes, turning back to her friend as Lady Maude began to converse with the first of the three gentlemen in a much more animated fashion than how she had spoken briefly to Norah. “The lady is inclined only toward gentlemen.”

That is something I could write on, is it not?

The moment the thought entered her mind, Norah frowned hard and shook it away. Whilst she might want to write about Lady Maude’s lack of consideration and appalling lack of gentility, that was not something that would be of any use to the ton . It would only bring shame to Lady Maude and perhaps a little mockery which, whilst she might do a great deal to improve the lady’s character, was not the purpose of the newspaper articles. Besides, Norah reasoned, she would do so only because she had been injured by the lady’s poor behavior rather than for any other reason and that was no good at all.

“You look as I feel.”

Norah laughed as Lady Adlay smiled. “I confess I was very much surprised by her manner toward me.”

“Ah, but it is so very different when there are gentlemen close by,” came the reply. “My husband does not think well of her nor her mother at all, I confess it, and I quite understand his reasoning.”

Norah nodded, giving her friend a wry smile. “I do not think that I will seek out her again.”

“That would be most wise.” Laughing ruefully, Lady Adlay smiled up at her friend. “Come, there must be plenty of others that we can converse with.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Norah noticed two ladies in deep conversation, with one of them looking directly across toward a gentleman that, as yet, Norah did not know. Her interest piqued, she turned her steps deftly toward them but did so in as nonchalant a manner as she could so that Lady Adlay would not notice.

“You must promise me that anyone you introduce me to next will not speak to me as Lady Maude has done!”

Lady Adlay laughed and, much to Norah’s relief, gestured to the very gentleman the two ladies were looking at with such distinct glances. “Come.”

Norah smiled and allowed Lady Adlay not only to interrupt the gentleman’s conversation but to then introduce her first to him and then to the lady and gentleman he had been conversing with. All the while, however, she tried to overhear what was being said just over her shoulder.

“I do apologize for interrupting your conversation, Lord Rutledge. It was quite my fault for I have begged Lady Adlay to introduce me to some new acquaintances since I am now returned to London.”

“But of course.” Lord Rutledge was a well-looking gentleman, with sharp eyes that glinted in a somewhat dangerous fashion whenever he smiled. Norah had no doubt that many young ladies of the ton would think him very handsome indeed! “And tell me, Lady Essington, is your time in London thus far all as you hoped it would be?”

She smiled. “It has been much more so, I confess. I was not certain of what my time in London would be given that I am now a widowed lady but thus far, I have found myself accepted by the ton and have had a very enjoyable fortnight.”

“And you will be spending the remaining months in London also?” the lady asked, and Norah nodded. Lady Adlay began to speak then and the conversation began to flow, allowing Norah to take a small step backward, turning slightly.

“Why will he not look at me? He knows I am here but he will not entertain my company!”

The other lady murmured something Norah could not make out, straining to hear what was said.

“I am so very troubled.”

The second lady spoke with a little more firmness now. “If he asked for your hand, then you are engaged.”

A cold hand grasped Norah’s heart. Was it Lord Rutledge that they spoke of?

“He did that very thing only a sennight ago but since then, I have seen him in company with many and he has not announced it to either the ton or even to my father!”

“Has he asked you to keep it secret?”

Again, there came a murmur that Norah did not understand, only to catch the end of the first lady’s sentence. “I ought not to have told you but I could not help –”

“I am sure many gentlemen will be glad to make your acquaintance, Lady Essington. You will not lack for partners when it comes to the next ball!”

Being tugged back into the conversation, Norah forced a laugh, hoping that her response would make sense given that she had not been listening to what they had said. “I must hope I remember how to dance all the steps, Lord Rutledge!” Thankfully, he laughed in response and she let out a slow breath of relief.

“I would be glad to step out with you, Lady Essington.”

“Oh, that is most kind.” She smiled warmly. “So long as I do not pull you from anyone of importance, that is.”

For a moment, Lord Rutledge frowned, only for his expression to clear as he understood what she meant.

“Oh, indeed, you would not be doing so. I have no particular connections at present.”

From behind her, Norah heard a sudden gasp but she forced herself not to turn around, keeping her smile pinned. “Thank you, Lord Rutledge. I am looking forward to the next ball already.”

“Good evening, Lady Essington.”

Norah curtsied. “Good evening, Lord Yardley.” Glad she had remembered his name, she smiled at him and received a broad one in return.

“I do hope you are inclined toward dancing this evening, Lady Essington?”

“I am indeed.” Slipping off her dance card, she handed it to him, looking about at the crowd of people as she did so. “Your friend is not with you this evening, then?”

He glanced up at her. “Lord Huntsford? Yes, he should be arriving presently. Perhaps he is a little tardy.” His jaw worked for a moment as his gaze drifted back down to her dance card. “I believe he is a little upset after what was in the society papers yesterday.”

The smile began to fade from Norah’s face as she cleared her throat, wondering what it was that he meant. The article she had written some three days ago had only been in the newspaper this morning but why Lord Huntsford should be upset by it, she did not know.

“I am sorry to hear that.”

“You have, no doubt, read the piece?” His eyes shifted to hers once more as he returned her dance card. “I am not inclined to do so for I find such articles to be somewhat distasteful, but in this case, it is all the more so, since what is written is nothing more than a lie.”

A heavy weight dropped into Norah’s stomach and she froze, looking back at him with slightly widened eyes. “Are you quite certain, Lord Yardley?”

“Certain? I am more than certain. That gentleman was not engaged. Lord Huntsford is a very close friend and would have known if such a thing was true. All that has occurred is that a gentleman of good character has now had his reputation severely damaged by the lies of some cruel creature who, for his or her reasons, sought to injure Lord Rutledge.”

Norah blinked rapidly, not quite certain what to say in response to this. Her heart was beating madly, suddenly afraid she had made a grave mistake.

“But there is no need for me to linger on the subject, Lady Essington. Forgive me.” His smile was present but lacking any real warmth. “Will the country dance and cotillion suffice?”

She nodded, trying to match her smile with his. “But of course, Lord Yardley, I thank you. I do hope that Lord Huntsford is not kept too long.” Seeing a young lady turning her head to look toward both herself and Lord Yardley, Norah gave him a slightly wry smile. “It seems that you have an eager young lady searching for your attention, Lord Yardley.” Seeing the lady’s flickering glance again, Norah’s heart suddenly twisted as she realized it was none other than Lady Maude. “I should not keep you.”

Lord Yardley looked over his shoulder and then, much to Norah’s surprise, grimaced.

“I believe that Lady Maude already has more than enough company at present,” he told her, turning his back toward her a little more, and instead fixing his gaze directly on Norah. “I am more than contented to talk with you.”

A sudden swirl of warmth ran through Norah’s frame, her breath hitching as she looked into Lord Yardley’s eyes. Have they always been so very blue? Norah had only seen the sea once in her life but the storm in his eyes reminded her of that day. His dark hair was swept back to one side and he was impeccably dressed, but until this moment, Norah had only considered him to be just as any other gentlemen of the ton . Now, however, something in her had shifted dramatically, to the point that her hands were a little clammy, her heart was beating a good deal more quickly and she was finding it very difficult indeed to know what was best now to say. After only one introduction to Lady Maude, Norah had known her to be a diamond of the first water and had fully expected almost every gentleman in London to pursue her. But now for Lord Yardley to seek out her company when Lady Maude was so clearly eager for his attention was quite remarkable and, if she were honest, made her rather gratified.

“And now that I have said so, it seems we are to struggle in conversation, Lady Essington.” An easy smile pulled at Lord Yardley’s lips and Norah could not help but laugh, which, in turn, removed some of the tension that had flooded her.

“Indeed. I apologize. I confess I am a little surprised!”

“Why should you be surprised? You surely could not think that I would simply turn from you to speak to another?”

His words brought another flush of warmth to Norah’s heart and this time, it heated her cheeks also and made her blush. “You are very kind to say such a thing, Lord Yardley. I have only just been introduced to Lady Maude and I am all too aware of her standing in society compared to my own!”

Lord Yardley did not laugh but instead, his lips tugged to one side and his eyes darted away as he clasped his hands behind his back as though he were a little uncomfortable with what she had said. A little nonplussed, Norah tried to think of what she might say next to bring them back into an easy conversation, only for someone to whirl past, coming to stand just a little in front of her as though they had not seen her at all.

“It is true!”

The words were uttered explosively and Norah saw Lord Yardley reel back, his eyes wide.

“I cannot believe it!”

Norah cleared her throat delicately and the other gentleman turned at once, his eyes wide.

“Good gracious.” Squeezing his eyes closed, he threw himself into a bow which Norah returned with a curtsy. “I must beg your apology, Lady Essington. I have heard something which has quite taken my attention and I thought –”

“Is this regarding Lord Rutledge?” she asked, as Lord Huntsford’s eyes widened. “Lord Yardley has been informing of what was in the society papers today. He stated that you were a little distressed upon reading such a thing.” A faint hope began to burn in her heart that she had not made a grave mistake, looking at Lord Huntsford carefully.

“If I am to be blunt, Lady Essington, I was upset because I believed it to be untrue. However, it now seems that Lord Rutledge did propose to a young lady of the ton – although we do not know her name for it was not included – and now must decide what he is to do by way of making amends.”

Relief sank into Norah’s heart and she let out a sigh, passing one hand over her eyes. “Goodness.”

“I do apologize for interrupting you, however.”

When Norah dropped her hand, she saw Lord Yardley shaking his head. “It seems I was mistaken, although I find that very difficult indeed to accept,” he murmured. Norah studied him closely, seeing the faint darkness begin to spread across his expression. “I must say I am surprised – and disappointed.”

Norah spread her hands. “But it is good that the young lady in question will not continue to be ill-treated,” she stated as Lord Yardley and Lord Huntsford nodded gravely. “I am sorry you are upset about your friend, however. That is trying, indeed.”

Lord Huntsford smiled tightly but stepped back. “But of course. I should not have interrupted you, however, and I thank you for being so very gracious. Please, do continue with your conversation.”

The announcement of the next dance came just as Norah was about to state she did not need him to depart and that there was no requirement for him to do so. Lord Yardley cleared his throat, bowed, and then extended a hand.

“Our dance, Lady Essington,” he said, although his smile was not as warm as she might have hoped. “Come. Let us take to the floor and forget this despondency! I am certain that the moment the music begins, we shall quite forget all of it.”

And I have every certainty that I will be entirely unable to do so, Norah thought to herself, before accepting his hand and allowing him to lead her onto the floor.