In the Arms of an Earl (The Duke's Daughters Book 4)(16)
“I have not taken his place,” Phillip protested at once, as Lord Marshall continued to laugh. “He was never betrothed to her!”
“Well, regardless, I am glad for you,” Lord Marshall said, with a broad smile. “Now, to Whites, I think. A celebratory drink.”
“You are not to speak of what I have disclosed to you, Marshall,” Phillip said, warningly. “I do not want all and sundry to know my dealings, although I am aware they will become common knowledge soon enough.”
Lord Marshall grinned. “Yes, it will. Particularly if you continue to go out walking all sorts of places and the like.”
Phillip could feel nothing but happiness at the prospect, already delighted with how open Lady Harmonia appeared to be towards him. She had practically glowed with delight when he had given her the invitation to the ball, which was only one day away.
The feelings building within him were nothing like he had ever felt before. There was a happiness, a contentment that filled him and made him almost urgent in his desire to see her again. The ball could not come quickly enough.
Whites was already quite loud, filled with patrons from the beau monde. Given that it was late afternoon, this was not much of a surprise and, despite the noise, Phillip had to admit to himself that, at least no-one would hear their conversation. He did not want to start any kind of rumor about himself and Lady Harmonia, not until he had been able to ask her father if he might court her – which he had every intention of doing once the ball was over.
“I’ll get us a table, shall I?”
Phillip made to turn around, only for a large man to come hurtling towards himself and Lord Marshall. For a moment, Phillip thought he might have to catch him, such was the speed of his stumbling steps, but, thankfully, the man managed to right himself just before he reached them.
“Lord Marshall!” the man exclaimed, slapping Lord Marshall firmly on the back. “What the devil are you doing here?”
Phillip saw that Lord Marshall’s face was not exactly delighted upon seeing the man, although he did make a concerted effort to look pleased.
“Baron Roth,” Lord Marshall replied, with a small bow. “How good to see you again. May I introduce my friend, the Earl of Newford.” He gestured to Phillip and, immediately, the baron nodded towards him.
“How do you do, Lord Roth?” Phillip murmured, inclining his head. “Are you a friend of Lord Marshall’s?”
“A very dear friend,” the baron exclaimed. “A very dear friend, although I must be at least twenty years your elder.”
Lord Marshall chuckled. “But then you do always have the best stories, Baron.”
“And I have one for you now, if you would like to hear it,” Lord Roth replied, with a broad wink. “Come, sit with me and I shall tell you all.”
He began to make his way towards the back of Whites and, after an apologetic murmur to Phillip, Lord Marshall began to follow Lord Roth. Phillip joined them, finding Baron Roth to be loud, flamboyant and quite irritating, but yet realizing that it would be more than rude to turn his back on the man after only being introduced. Besides, he and Lord Marshall could spend a few minutes with the man, listen to his stories, share a drink and then excuse themselves. It need not be for long.
“Capital, capital!” Baron Roth exclaimed, as Phillip came to join them both. “I am always glad to meet another acquaintance of Lord Marshall’s.”
“Lord Newford is in town for the Season,” Lord Marshall explained, handing Phillip his drink. “And what of you, Baron? Why are you here?”
The baron chuckled. “I have a little business to take care of and, as you know, I simply adore the local gossip. I cannot help but come down here at the height of the Season and feed on any juicy pieces of gossip I can find.”
There was a short silence, with the baron looking at them both expectantly.
“And what have you discovered?” Lord Marshall asked, resigned to the fact that he was meant to ask Baron Roth just that.
The baron rubbed his hands. “Well, I have heard that the Duke of Westbrook is back in town, in order to put his youngest daughter through the Season – and that she has already found herself a suitor!”
Phillip felt his heart freeze in his chest, starting at the baron with a barely hidden horror.
“Oh?” Lord Marshall said, shooting a quick glance towards Phillip. “And who is this?”
“Her cousin,” the baron exclaimed, his eyes bright. “But, there is more to that man than meets the eye!”
Heartily confused by what the baron was saying, Phillip closed his eyes and rubbed one hand across his forehead. “Her cousin?” he repeated, suddenly desperate to know what the baron meant. “Do you mean Lord Luke Darnsley?”
“The very same!” the baron cried, looking at Phillip in astonishment. “You have met the man?”
“I – I know of him,” Phillip replied, leaning forward in his seat and looking at the baron in the eye. “The question is, what do you know of him?”
The baron chuckled, rubbing his hands again. “Another one for the gossip, are you? Well, I shall not keep you in suspense. The man is the lady’s suitor, by all accounts, and appears to be quite besotted with her. However,” he continued, leaning in a little conspiratorially, “I have discovered that he is not the man he seems.”