In the Arms of an Earl (The Duke's Daughters Book 4)(11)
Harmonia blushed and looked away, her happiness lifting her almost out of her seat.
“Then I think it a wonderful idea,” her father replied, with a kind smile. “Of course, I shall need to be introduced and Amelia will sit in with you both.”
Harmonia got up from her chair at once, stopping only to kiss her father’s cheek. “Thank you, papa,” she said hastily, her fingers itching to write her note of acceptance to Lord Newford. “I am sure you will like him.”
Her father laughed softly. “Any gentleman who can make you smile like that is worthy of an introduction to me at least,” he said, as Amelia grinned at her. “Go and write your reply and then come back here to join us for tea. I want to know all about how you met this gentleman and what he is like.”
Glad that her father was showing an interest, Harmonia promised to be as quick as she could and scurried towards the drawing room and her writing desk, the note clutched to her heart and her smile fixed to her face. She did not think she had ever been this happy in her life before and the prospect of seeing Lord Newford again only added to her joy.
Chapter Six
Phillip cleared his throat, adjusted his cravat just a little and waited for the butler to introduce him. He was nervous, he had to admit, but the thought of seeing Lady Harmonia again made him smile.
“Welcome, Lord Newford,” Lady Harmonia said with a bright smile as he stepped in through the door. “How good of you to call.”
He bowed low, aware that there was an older gentleman rising from his chair as well as Lady Harmonia’s sister, Lady Amelia.
“How very good it is to see you again,” he murmured quietly.
Lady Harmonia’s cheeks were pink, her eyes warm. “May I introduce you to my father, the Duke of Westbrook, and my sister, Lady Amelia.”
Phillip bowed again, seeing the Duke’s scrutiny as he raised his head. Clearly, the Duke was aware of Phillip’s interest in Lady Harmonia, a fact which Phillip was not quite sure how to take. Was he to be viewed as acceptable to the lady? Or was he unacceptable according to the Duke’s standards?
His palms started sweating as he took his seat, the Duke already beginning to ask him questions. He asked him about his family, his father in particular, his title, his estate, his holdings, his responsibilities and duties and whether or not he had ever been married before. Phillip answered each question as honestly as he could, well aware of Lady Harmonia’s begging look towards her father as he continued to throw question after question at Phillip.
“Papa,” Lady Amelia interrupted, after a time. “I do believe that Lord Rodgerson was due to call on you this afternoon.” She glanced at the clock on the mantlepiece and looked back at him with a firm look in her eye. “I would not want you to be late.”
The Duke cleared his throat, his eyes twinkling as he looked at Harmonia and saw her flushed cheeks.
“Indeed, you are quite right,” he said with a smile. “Do excuse me, Lord Newford. I must go and meet with a very dear friend of mine. I shall leave you to the company of my daughters.”
Phillip scrambled to his feet, relieved that the questions were, for the time being at least, over. “Of course, Your Grace,” he mumbled, managing a less than graceful bow. “It was a very great pleasure to meet you.”
The Duke chuckled, clearly well aware that he had managed to disconcert Phillip a little. “Yes, it was good to meet you at last, Lord Newford. Good day.”
Phillip waited until the door had closed behind the Duke before letting out a long breath, sitting back down and trying his best not to sag against the soft cushions.
“I am so terribly sorry, Lord Newford,” Lady Harmonia said at once, an expression of embarrassment written across her features. “You must understand that my father means you no ill will.”
“No, indeed,” Phillip replied, firmly, wanting to take away any lingering anxiety she might feel. “I did not think that for a moment, I assure you.”
Lady Amelia laughed, reaching for her sister’s hand and patting it lightly – and Phillip found himself longing that he might be just as free to do the same.
“You must understand, Lord Newford, that my father has had a rather trying experience with my younger sister Lady Jacintha, who recently married Henry Musgrove.”
“Oh?” Phillip asked, immediately interested. “I thought she had a happy marriage.”
“Oh, she does,” Lady Amelia assured him with a bright smile. “I believe them both to be deeply in love. However, my father was, at one point, pushing her towards an entirely different gentleman who appeared to be quite wonderful to everyone. It was only later that we discovered he was not.”
“And that is why he is so insistent with his questions,” Lady Harmonia explained, still looking quite contrite. “I swear he would put any man who he saw within ten feet of one of his daughters through the same questioning.”
“Let alone a man willing to send flowers and call upon his last remaining unmarried daughter,” Amelia interjected. “You are not too embarrassed; I hope?” She said with a mischievous look on her face directed to both Harmonia and Phillip.
“No, not at all,” Phillip assured her, already feeling more relaxed. “I am very glad he cares so much for his daughters.”