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Authors: When Someone Loves You
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duchess added, signaling that a footman set another plate beside her. “Our big excitement today was little Liza’s pony ride. She rode her pony for the first time and we all cheered her on. What have you been up to?”
“Not much. Eddie and I rode to the monastery ruins at Bedloe. The view was astonishing as always.” No one gave any indication they’d already heard of his activities. But taking note of everyone’s smiles as he approached the table and understanding the swiftness of servants’ gossip, he added, “As you no doubt have already heard, Miss Foster accompanied me.”
“Did she?” his mother remarked blandly. “How lovely. Julius, did you hear?” she said to her husband seated at the other end of the table. “Duff had company this afternoon.”
The Duke of Westerlands smiled. “And very pleasant company, I warrant. What is Miss Foster doing in the country this time of year?” The season was in full swing and Annabelle, on friendly terms with all the great hostesses, was always invited to the best parties.
Debating how to answer, Duff stood for a moment behind his chair, his fingers curved over the polished mahogany back. “Miss Foster is spending some time with her family,” he said, choosing a neutral reply. “If her schedule allows, she’s agreed to go to the races with me tomorrow.” They’d know soon enough, he thought; he might as well tell them. “Also, I only frightened her once with one of my trances, so all and all, things went well.”
“Well, you’re to be commended,” his mother noted with a smile. “Or perhaps Miss Foster is to be commended for her tact. Sit, darling,” the duchess murmured, playing the perfect hostess and not querying him further. “Have a glass of wine. Your papa had a few of his special bottles brought up tonight.”
They all knew , Duff thought. They knew he’d be coming to dinner. Were they apprised of Annabelle’s family situation as well? Not that he was about to ask. He’d given Annabelle his word he wouldn’t discuss it.
But his entire family had watched over him with varying degrees of apprehension since his return from Waterloo. News of his outing would have been gratifying to them.
In fact, his parents and siblings had all, on one thin pretext or another, foregone the season and chosen to spend the summer at Westerlands Park in order to be near him. His two married sisters and their children, as well as his younger brother, were in residence. Not that Giles was averse to avoiding all the maneuvering mamas in London with daughters to marry off. But Georgina and Lydia were sacrificing their pleasures; they adored the whirl of parties. They missed their husbands as well, who had estates from which they couldn’t be absent for long periods of time.
“You’re looking remarkably well, Duff. Truly you are,” Georgie said with a smile. The youngest of his siblings, she shared their mother’s fair coloring and blue eyes. “How delightful to see you out and about again like your old self.”
Duff wondered what the hell Eddie had said—his “old self” prone to a decidedly intemperate life. But he chose to reply in a different vein. “Eddie thinks the new mare I bought became a talisman for my recovery.” He smiled. “Perhaps he’s right. God knows, he’s put up with my black moods long enough to recognize an improvement.”
“Are you thinking about racing your stable again, then?” His sister Lydia had been horse-mad since childhood, her thoroughbreds consistent winners. “Everyone’s missed your flashy bloodstock on the track,” she said with a lift of her dark brows. “Your jockey, Harry, could always be counted on for a dazzling show.”
“I am considering putting my prime’uns out again. Eddie’s going to talk to Harry and see if he can be cajoled into riding for me.”
“He’s working for Armitage. You might make an enemy,” his sister warned.
“It’s Harry’s decision,” Duff said with a shrug. “As
“Not much. Eddie and I rode to the monastery ruins at Bedloe. The view was astonishing as always.” No one gave any indication they’d already heard of his activities. But taking note of everyone’s smiles as he approached the table and understanding the swiftness of servants’ gossip, he added, “As you no doubt have already heard, Miss Foster accompanied me.”
“Did she?” his mother remarked blandly. “How lovely. Julius, did you hear?” she said to her husband seated at the other end of the table. “Duff had company this afternoon.”
The Duke of Westerlands smiled. “And very pleasant company, I warrant. What is Miss Foster doing in the country this time of year?” The season was in full swing and Annabelle, on friendly terms with all the great hostesses, was always invited to the best parties.
Debating how to answer, Duff stood for a moment behind his chair, his fingers curved over the polished mahogany back. “Miss Foster is spending some time with her family,” he said, choosing a neutral reply. “If her schedule allows, she’s agreed to go to the races with me tomorrow.” They’d know soon enough, he thought; he might as well tell them. “Also, I only frightened her once with one of my trances, so all and all, things went well.”
“Well, you’re to be commended,” his mother noted with a smile. “Or perhaps Miss Foster is to be commended for her tact. Sit, darling,” the duchess murmured, playing the perfect hostess and not querying him further. “Have a glass of wine. Your papa had a few of his special bottles brought up tonight.”
They all knew , Duff thought. They knew he’d be coming to dinner. Were they apprised of Annabelle’s family situation as well? Not that he was about to ask. He’d given Annabelle his word he wouldn’t discuss it.
But his entire family had watched over him with varying degrees of apprehension since his return from Waterloo. News of his outing would have been gratifying to them.
In fact, his parents and siblings had all, on one thin pretext or another, foregone the season and chosen to spend the summer at Westerlands Park in order to be near him. His two married sisters and their children, as well as his younger brother, were in residence. Not that Giles was averse to avoiding all the maneuvering mamas in London with daughters to marry off. But Georgina and Lydia were sacrificing their pleasures; they adored the whirl of parties. They missed their husbands as well, who had estates from which they couldn’t be absent for long periods of time.
“You’re looking remarkably well, Duff. Truly you are,” Georgie said with a smile. The youngest of his siblings, she shared their mother’s fair coloring and blue eyes. “How delightful to see you out and about again like your old self.”
Duff wondered what the hell Eddie had said—his “old self” prone to a decidedly intemperate life. But he chose to reply in a different vein. “Eddie thinks the new mare I bought became a talisman for my recovery.” He smiled. “Perhaps he’s right. God knows, he’s put up with my black moods long enough to recognize an improvement.”
“Are you thinking about racing your stable again, then?” His sister Lydia had been horse-mad since childhood, her thoroughbreds consistent winners. “Everyone’s missed your flashy bloodstock on the track,” she said with a lift of her dark brows. “Your jockey, Harry, could always be counted on for a dazzling show.”
“I am considering putting my prime’uns out again. Eddie’s going to talk to Harry and see if he can be cajoled into riding for me.”
“He’s working for Armitage. You might make an enemy,” his sister warned.
“It’s Harry’s decision,” Duff said with a shrug. “As
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