London Temptations: Historical Regency Romance Collection Page 49

  Lord Hoskins frowned hard. “Did you not hear what I said to you when I introduced the lady?” he asked, coming to stand directly in front of Phillip, forcing him to look back at him. “I told you that she was the daughter of Viscount Swinton.”

  Phillip stared back at him, his stomach dropping. The gentleman Lord Hoskins had criticized, the gentleman who appeared to be cheating in some manner or other in order to gain wealth—that gentleman was Miss Wiltshire’s father?

  “It appears you did not pay attention,” Lord Hoskins said with clear exasperation. “I stated very clearly as I introduced you that she—”

  “I was a little distracted,” Phillip muttered, passing one hand over his eyes. “Lord Swinton, you say?”

  Lord Hoskins let out a long sigh. “Do not be foolish enough to think that one’s father is an indication of one’s character,” he said, tilting his head to look at Phillip. “You are an excellent example of why that should not be so.”

  Phillip nodded but still, doubts continued to assail him. Lord Swinton was, it seemed, a hard man who liked nothing more than to do whatever he could to gain as much for himself as possible. Surely something of his character would have passed on to his daughter?

  “You are the exact opposite of your father,” Lord Hoskins continued, as though he could read the thoughts passing through Phillip’s mind. “Do not fear, Wiltshire. I am sure that Miss Williams is nothing like Lord Swinton. Although,” he added, his eyes alighting on something and a grin spreading out across his features, “it appears you shall soon have the opportunity to discover that for yourself.” He nudged Phillip with his elbow, making him look around. “There. She has arrived.”

  The reaction Phillip had upon seeing Miss Williams was exactly the same one he had experienced at the first. His eyes widened, his breath was stolen from him, and he felt as though something tight was being pulled across his chest. Miss Williams was wearing a gown of light green which, Phillip was certain, would only make her eyes appear all the more alive. Her hair tumbled down over her back, the thick curls seeming to cry out, begging him to run his fingers through it. When she caught sight of him, her eyes meeting his from across the room, color rose in her face almost immediately, but it only added to her loveliness. Phillip did not think he had ever seen a lady more beautiful than she.

  So long as her character is just as lovely, he told himself, seeing Lady Crampton looking toward him and bowing his head in greeting. That is something you are yet to discover.

  “I am sure you will be able to dance twice with the lady this evening,” Lord Hoskins said, sounding quite gleeful. “My goodness, I should never have imagined that it would be Miss Williams who would have captured you so, else I would have introduced you all the sooner.”

  Phillip did not answer, waiting expectantly as Miss Williams and Lady Crampton began to make their way toward them both. They moved slowly, clearly making quite certain that the others in the room would not have any reason to comment on the haste of their steps. Turning slightly so that he would not be seen to be staring, Phillip cleared his throat and looked back at Lord Hoskins, aware of the nervousness that had begun to bubble up within him. It was quite foolish to feel such a thing, he told himself, but despite such a statement to himself, the nervous anticipation remained.

  “Good evening, Lord Hoskins, Lord Wiltshire.”

  Phillip turned back at once, bowing low toward Lady Crampton.

  “Good evening, Lady Crampton, Miss Williams,” he murmured as the two ladies rose from their curtsy. “Might I say that you both look very…” The words seemed to stick in his throat as Miss Williams looked back at him, her eyes more wonderful than he had remembered. “Very well this evening,” he finished lamely. It was not much of a compliment but, for whatever reason, when he looked into Miss Williams’ eyes, all coherent thought seemed to leave him.

  “I thank you, Lord Wiltshire,” Miss Williams replied, her lips curving gently. “I do hope that you—”

  “Miss Williams.”

  Phillip started, looking to his right to see a tall, broad-shouldered and grim-faced gentleman bowing sharply toward the lady. The man ignored both Phillip and Lord Hoskins and, indeed, did not even speak to Lady Crampton either.

  “It is your father’s wish that we are introduced and that we dance together this evening,” the gentleman said, snapping his heels together as he rose. “Your dance card, if you please?” He held out one hand toward Miss Williams, who shrank back from him, one hand reaching out toward Lady Crampton.

  Phillip did not know what to say or what to do. This gentleman he did not know and therefore could not easily state aloud what he thought. Nor could he jokingly suggest that the fellow was being more than a little rude, for that would be improper even in itself.

  “Do hurry, Miss Williams,” the gentleman said testily. “I am already growing impatient.”

  Lady Crampton was the first to speak. Pressing Miss Williams’ hand, she took a small step forward, her chin lifting as she spoke to the gentleman.

  “I think you have forgotten all expectation of good manners and propriety, sir,” she said sharply as the gentleman’s brow furrowed low, his brown eyes seeming to grow a little darker as he studied her. “Firstly, you have found no one to introduce you, meaning that, as yet, Miss Williams and I, her chaperone, have very little idea as to who you are. Secondly, you have interrupted a conversation without so much as a by-your-leave, which shows such poor behavior that I cannot help but wonder at your intentions.”

  “As I have said,” the gentleman growled, his frown beginning to turn all the heavier, “Lord Swinton himself wishes me to become acquainted with his daughter and to make certain to dance with her and—”

  “That may be so,” Lady Crampton interrupted sharply, “but that does not mean that propriety is entirely forgotten. Should you wish to be introduced to Miss Williams, should you wish to dance with her as you have stated, then might I suggest you find the correct way to go about such a thing and not come to interrupt what is already a most excellent conversation.” There was no time given for the gentleman to reply for Lady Crampton turned her back on him and, with a tight smile toward Miss Williams, who appeared to be rather shocked given the paleness of her features and the widening of her eyes, gestured for Phillip to continue.

  Clearing his throat gruffly and trying desperately to remember what it was he had been saying, Phillip looked at Miss Williams once more and saw her gaze slowly travel back toward him. The other gentleman remained precisely where he was, however, grimacing and looking for all the world as though he wanted to physically remove Lady Crampton from where she stood so that he might forcibly introduce himself to Miss Williams.

  “Might—might you care to take a short turn about the room with me, Miss Williams?” Phillip found himself saying, even though he knew that such a suggestion must surely be turned down by the lady since they were barely acquainted. There would be plenty within the room who would take note of such a thing and gossip would certainly begin to fly around them almost immediately but, given the present circumstances, it was the only thing that he could think to suggest. “Lady Crampton, of course, may join us.”

  Lady Crampton beamed at him and Phillip felt a heavy weight lift from his heart, realizing that he, too, had feared receiving a reprimand from the lady.

  “I thank you,” Miss Williams said quickly, glancing at the gentleman who still stood behind Lady Crampton, before coming quickly toward Phillip. “Lady Crampton?”

  “I shall walk with Lord Hoskins,” Lady Crampton declared, surprising Lord Hoskins, who had not as yet declared any such intention. “If you do not mind, that is?”

  Lord Hoskins recovered himself quickly, offered his arm, and in only a few moments, Phillip found himself walking slowly through the crowd and doing his very best to remain in the quieter parts of the room, all for Miss Williams’ sake.

  “Does he follow?”

  There was a tremor in Miss Williams’ voice that was unmistakable
and a ball of anger quickly came to sit in Phillip’s stomach as he glanced behind them. Lady Crampton and Lord Hoskins were only a few steps behind, Lady Crampton speaking to Lord Hoskins with what appeared to be a very serious expression on her face. Of the unknown gentleman, there appeared to be no sign.

  “No, he does not follow, Miss Williams,” Phillip replied, practically feeling the way she relaxed at his words. “You do not know him, then?”

  “I do not,” Miss Williams replied quickly, “nor do I wish to. I find his manner very rude indeed and he was both foreboding and overpowering. There is no gentleness in a man such as he, Lord Wiltshire.”

  Phillip was surprised at the rush of relief that came into his heart as she spoke. Had he expected her to be eager to meet this particular gentleman? To be contented with his manner toward her?

  “I thank you for stepping in as you did,” she continued, looking up at him as they continued to walk slowly. “If you had not, then…” Closing her eyes for a moment, she let out a long breath before opening them again, just as Phillip realized they had come to a stop and were, in fact, simply standing together in the ballroom. “I thank you,” she said again, looking at him with those emerald eyes that captured his attention so easily. “You are very kind, Lord Wiltshire.”

  “What else could I have done, Miss Williams?” Phillip asked, smiling at her. “That gentleman, whoever he is, is neither polite nor kind. Although I must confess a deep respect for your aunt, given just how sharply she spoke to him.”

  This brought a smile to Miss Williams’ face, a smile that chased the shadows away from her features. “Indeed, she is quite magnificent,” she replied with a quiet laugh. “She has spoken in such a way to my father before, and…” Trailing off suddenly, she put one hand to her mouth as color rose in her cheeks. “Forgive me,” she said quickly, now appearing a little embarrassed. “I do not mean to speak ill of my father.”

  “You are not doing so, Miss Williams,” Phillip replied truthfully. “It is not wrong to state that one’s relations are—or were—a little difficult.” His smile became rueful. “My own father was such a person, Miss Williams. The last few years of his life, he chose to do precisely as he pleased without any consideration for his estate or his fortune. When he died, I was left to sort out the mess he had left behind and, if I am to be truthful, it has taken me some years to restore the estate fully.” One shoulder lifted in a half-shrug as Miss Williams dropped her hand back to her side but continued to watch him closely. “It would be dishonest to pretend that all was well between us, or that I have not struggled with the choices he made. That does not mean that I shall begin to call him all manner of things, for that certainly would be disrespectful of me, but rather I shall state that the relationship between myself and my father was very strained at times.” He smiled at her. “You have no need to fear expressing yourself to me. I will be glad to listen and shall have no cause to judge you.”

  It took some moments but, eventually, she began to speak, seeming to unburden herself before him.

  “My mother passed away some years ago, Lord Wiltshire. My father married well, for she was the daughter of an earl although I do not believe there was any real affection or even tolerance between them.” She shook her head, her lips turning downwards. “Since her passing, my father, Lord Swinton, has become increasingly ill-tempered and holds certain expectations of me,” she said slowly, clearly picking each of her words carefully. “I am continually falling short, despite my intention to behave with all propriety and to ensure I do not do anything that would bring his ire. However, my father continues to express a dissatisfaction with me that I cannot ever seem to remove. I am all the more grateful for Lady Crampton, for she is able to speak to my father in a way that he would never accept from me.” Her lips quirked and her eyes began to sparkle as she continued to express herself. “It does make things rather trying at times, but I confess I am a little relieved that he has, for the time being at least, permitted me to reside with my aunt for a short while.”

  “You are staying with Lady Crampton, then?” Phillip asked, and Miss Williams nodded, a smile on her face and a joy in her expression that brought him delight. “That must be of great happiness to you both.”

  “I cannot express the happiness that I felt in the moment he agreed,” Miss Williams replied, her smile spreading. “Although, in seeing that gentleman and in hearing what my father has supposedly expressed toward him reminds me that I am not entirely free of his demands and expectations.” Her smile dimmed and some of the light left her eyes, but Phillip was all the more determined to encourage her, to see her contented expression once more.

  “Come now, your aunt has done a fine job in sending that particular gentleman away in order to force him to behave in the most proper of ways,” he reminded her, reaching across with his free hand to pat her fingers lightly as they rested on his arm. The jolt that went through his heart at the way she glanced at his hand and then up into his face made him lose the ability to speak for a moment or two, swallowing hard at the warmth that began to ease into her expression. “And we have been able to escape him also, have we not?” he finished, his voice rasping just a little. “I do hope, Miss Williams, that despite our first meeting, you will never think me as rude or as improper as that gentleman.”

  Miss Williams laughed and the sound sent a grin right across Phillip’s face. He allowed himself to join her, feeling his heart filling with something he could not quite understand and yet felt pouring all through him, right into the very tips of his fingers.

  “I shall never think you rude, Lord Wiltshire,” Miss Williams told him, her fingers gently pressing his arm. “You are very kind, I think, and certainly very generous in spirit.” She lifted her free hand and tipped her head in its direction. “The gloves are a reminder of your propriety, are they not?” Her smile was teasing and Phillip felt heat climb up his spine as he chuckled.

  “I must hope so,” he said, aware that his heart was beginning to quicken at the look in Miss Williams’ eye. A look that spoke of respect, of consideration, and, he hoped, an interest in him that he was certain to return. “Tell me, Miss Williams, should you think well enough of me to allow me to write my name on your dance card this evening?” His eyes held hers as hope began to lift his heart, seeing the way her gaze softened.

  “I did wonder if you were going to ask me, Lord Wiltshire,” she said, her eyes twinkling as she let go of his arm but only to slip her dance card from her wrist, handing it to him without hesitation. “I should be very glad indeed to dance with you.”

  Phillip let out a breath he had not known he had been holding, taking the dance card from Miss Williams and seeing it entirely empty. With surprise, he glanced up at her, only to see her blush.

  “I thought to speak to you first, Lord Wiltshire,” she said, astonishing him with her evident eagerness to dance with him. “After all, you did purchase me the gloves I am wearing this evening. It was only polite to speak to you at the first.”

  “I am very glad you did, Miss Williams,” Phillip replied honestly, before looking at the dance card again. The first three dances had already passed and, not wanting their conversation to be brought to a swift end, he wrote his name down for the fifth—the country dance. Thereafter, he let his hand linger over the waltz, wondering if he dared to write his name there.

  Looking up at her, he gave her a small smile. “Might I ask, Miss Williams, if you are permitted to waltz?” he asked, aware of how her blush mounted all the more. “I should like to write my name there but only if it is—”

  “I am permitted, yes,” she interrupted, dropping her gaze in a demure fashion for a moment. “I would be very glad to dance that with you, Lord Wiltshire.”

  He could hardly take in what she had said, looking back at her for some moments but seeing her head still bowed, her eyes still fastened to the ground as her cheeks remained filled with color. Grinning broadly to himself and finding a good deal of delight in what had been given him,
he proudly wrote his name in the space for the waltz before, with a gentle clearing of his throat, he finally caught her gaze.

  “The country dance and then, a little later, the waltz,” he said, handing back her dance card but discovering that, instead of taking it from him, she had held out one hand toward him. Carefully, he slipped the ribbon over her hand and then inclined his head in thanks. “I look forward to both, Miss Williams.”

  “As do I,” she replied, coming to take his arm again as he offered it. “Besides which, it means that the as yet unintroduced gentleman cannot claim the waltz for himself.” She let out a long sigh. “I am very grateful to you, Lord Wiltshire.”

  Wondering if it was for this reason only that she had expressed such an eagerness for him to write his name for her waltz, Phillip merely nodded and, turning them both around, began to make his way back toward Lady Crampton and Lord Hoskins, who were both standing a short distance away, with Lady Crampton clearly watching her charge with a sharp eye.

  “That is to say,” Miss Williams added, her voice very soft now so that he strained to hear her, “I should much rather dance with you than with any other, Lord Wiltshire.”

  Phillip turned his head to look at her, but she did not lift her gaze to his. Her blush remained still, and Phillip felt heat rush into his own face as he realized what it was she had said. The way his heart began to soar to the skies made a foolish grin climb across his face—a grin he simply could not remove despite the lifting of Lord Hoskins’ brows as he watched them approach. It seemed that Miss Williams was just as interested in his company as he was in hers and that, certainly, was something that filled him with great happiness.