“The duchess certainly outdid herself.” William answered.
“I see you are alone this evening. I was under the impression there was a certain young woman who would accompany you. Or am I wrong?” the duke inquired, his grey brow furrowing, deep wrinkles spanning across his large forehead.
“The rumor mill seems to churn without fail, I see.” William smiled, attempting to remain light-hearted, while his heart suffocated in his chest at the mere thought of Emma. When the duke didn’t respond, he said, “Regrettably, Your Grace, I am here alone.”
“I do apologize for my lack of tact, but some good may come from this,” the duke answered.
“And what might that be, Your Grace?” William inquired, intrigued by the old man’s words.
“I would love to introduce my lord to my lovely daughter,” the duke answered.
Oh...
“Are you certain? After all the tales you have heard of me, Your Grace?” William asked in disbelief.
“The rumor mill churns without fail, as you mentioned moments ago. But just because people speak of it, does not necessarily make it true, does it?” the duke asked, and winked at William. “I knew your father for a long time, and I am well aware of the morals and the values he instilled in both his sons. I have not a single shred of doubt in my mind that you are a good man. You carry yourself with pride and diligence, and that is precisely the kind of man I wish to introduce to my daughter. It would be a privilege, in fact.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” William nodded gratefully, but was certain he did not deserve such praise.
“And,” the duke lowered his voice as he leaned in closer to William, “even if those rumors are true, I know that my daughter will be well taken care of, in all aspects.”
He fought the urge to cringe and he would have protested if it had not been the duke who had uttered those words.
Since the man had been a good friend of his father, he felt a certain duty towards him. Also, it would be terrible manners to simply dismiss the duke for being inappropriate.
After all, the man only wished the best for his daughter, but William was not certain he was the best in this case.
“Come along,” the duke urged him, and William followed the Duke of Balfour through the crowd, still fruitlessly searching for Emma along the way. The duke came to a standstill, prompting William to do the same. He looked up and before him was a young lady.
Her golden hair was elegantly piled on her head and a few loose tendrils framed her face. Her green eyes were bright and innocent, and her skin glowed in the candlelight. Her pale pink lips were upturned in a hopeful smile.
There was no doubt in William’s mind that she was a very beautiful young woman, but she was not Emma. Perhaps it would be better to simply forget about Emma, but as Lady Celeste looked at him, her green eyes sparkling with intrigue, he could only see Emma.
“William, it is my utmost pleasure to introduce my daughter, Lady Celeste,” the duke said proudly. “My dear, please meet Lord William Seymour. He is the younger brother to the Duke of Somerset.”
Lady Celeste held her hand out to William, and his manners served him well as he tenderly took her hand and kissed it lightly. “It is my greatest pleasure to meet you, my lady.”
Lady Celeste’s cheeks colored instantly and she giggled softly. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lord. My father speaks very highly of you and your family.”
“Perhaps he exaggerated slightly,” William chuckled.
“Nonsense. Lord William is a fine gentleman who comes from a fine family. His father and I were very well acquainted,” the duke insisted. “Which makes it rather odd that you are only now being introduced to William this evening.”
“Why have you been hiding this charming man from me, Father?” Lady Celeste joked.
“I asked myself that same question, my dear,” the duke admitted and placed one hand on Lady Celeste’s shoulder, and the other hand on William’s shoulder. “I shall allow you two to get better acquainted. Please do excuse me.”
William inhaled sharply as the duke moved from their side and he was left with Lady Celeste. “Your father is a great man, my lady.”
“Indeed, my lord,” she said and glanced up at him. “But I am certain we have much more to discuss than my father.”
William bowed. “I do apologize.”
“I will only accept your apology if you will tell me more about yourself. Your likes, and dislikes. I wish to know more, from your own mouth, and not merely from what others have told me, my lord,” Lady Celeste said.
“Very well,” William answered, though her interest surprised him.
For the duration of the ball, William and Lady Celeste became better acquainted. He told her of his interests, his childhood and his secret love of poetry.
Lady Celeste hung on every word, and although he felt rather unsettled by her undivided attention, he did not wish to seem rude by excusing himself. She was the duke’s daughter, after all, and he did not wish to insult him, or Lady Celeste, for that matter.
William was also aware that it was wrong to give her false hope, but it was the lesser of two evils at that given time. He would merely have to find a good reason to make her believe he was not the honorable man her father had told her he was.
His conscience suddenly rose to the surface and he felt guilty for even thinking of such a terrible thing. He had already done damage to Emma’s reputation and there he was, contemplating breaking another woman’s heart.
He knew he did not deserve all the praise he’d received this evening, and his heart grew heavy in his chest. His late father would most certainly not approve of his choices. In fact, the late duke would be rather ashamed of him.
Despite being
