Bryghton was glad to see that his sister, while having developed a distasteful appetite for salacious gossip, had not lost her innocent view of the world. “So are you going to tell me where you are going this evening, or not?” his impatience began to shine through.
With a start Alanna remembered his earlier question. “My apologies, Bryghton, my dear. Mother and I are promised to the musicale that Miss Melinda Lambert is hosting this evening. You remember her from the duchess’ dinner, don’t you?”
“Oh, no, Alanna, I could not bear a musical evening. Perhaps I shall have to postpone my foray into ton events for another evening.”
With a giggle, Alanna shook her head at the duke. “That is not the only thing we will be doing this evening. I fully understand why you might not wish to attend, although I must say I am looking forward to it. The baron and his sister seemed to be a most interesting pair. I cannot wait to see whom they have assembled to entertain their guests.”
After Bryghton continued to shake his head in denial of any interest in attending, his sister carried on with her explanation of her plans for the evening. “After the musicale we have promised to attend a ball at the Earl and Countess of Pembroke’s home. It shall be a terrible crush but it would be an excellent place for you to accompany me. We would be making a late appearance, so there would be plenty of people to remark upon your attendance at my side, which would be just the thing for our designs.”
With another rueful shake of his head the duke agreed to his sister’s plan. “Shall I collect you from Miss Lambert’s home and have my carriage deliver us to the Pembroke’s ball?” he offered graciously.
“That would be lovely, thank you. Remember that Mother will be with me, so we should have an acceptable explanation as to why you are suddenly accompanying me about town.”
“Can a duke not go to a few parties without needing to explain himself to his mother?” he demanded with a twinkle in his eye.
“Not with our mother. Besides, you must admit that it is rather out of character and will get her heart all aflutter with plans for your future.”
“Well then, let her. That will be our explanation if we must. Start with saying I am watching out for you. If she does not consider that a believable explanation, we will allow her to think I am checking out the new crop of debutantes. She will be so excited that she shall not allow herself to disbelieve.”
“I do believe we are most unnatural children, are we not?” Alanna asked.
“She is a duchess, Alanna, and far savvier than we give her credit for. Do not trouble yourself over her thoughts. She can handle whatever situation might arise with aplomb. Now tell me what time to come for you. I must be on my way and finish my own affairs before I ready myself for the evening.”
“Midnight should be fine for arriving at the Pembrokes’ event. There will be a terrible line-up of carriages, so I think it best if you collect me at half past eleven. It is not unbearably early to leave the musicale, but it will help us avoid the crush of carriages there, at least.”
Bryghton shook his head over the foolishness of all aspects of the Season and agreed to his sister’s directions. “I bid you adieu until then,” he flourished a gallant bow and hastily took his leave lest she drag him back into conversation.
Chapter Sixteen
As ordered by his sister, the duke was dutifully waiting beside his carriage as Alanna and the duchess descended the stairs at half past eleven. Bowing gracefully to his mother, he took over for the footman and handed her up into the carriage.
“It was such a pleasant surprise when Alanna told me you would be escorting us this evening, Bryghton dear. It is too bad Drake has decided to return to the country. It would have been so lovely to go as a foursome. But I could hardly credit it when your sister told me you would be joining us. It is your usual wont to avoid such affairs like the plague,” she said with mild question, awaiting an explanation.
A slightly charged silence descended upon the occupants of the carriage as it was set into smooth motion by the well-trained driver as he gave the matching chestnuts their head.
Alanna portrayed a marked interest in the goings on outside the carriage as they went, so the duke was forced to address the question.
With a negligent shrug he smiled benignly to his mother. “I realized that it behooves me to take an interest in my siblings’ activities. As the head of the family I find that I have been overly concerned with our financial affairs and all the responsibilities that accompany the dukedom, but I thought it best that I give thought to my sister’s future in other ways as well. This is her third Season and she is still single, and I wish to see why.”
The duchess turned shrewd, disbelieving eyes upon her firstborn while Alanna choked back a gurgle of laughter. Bryghton merely gazed at them with his eyebrows slightly raised in irony. Despite his mother’s obvious derision over his tale, he stuck to it, even managing to meet her eyes while he expertly changed the subject.
“Was the musicale to your liking, Mother?” he asked.
The duchess’ lips twitched with what could almost be described as amusement before she answered, matching his bland tone, “It was one of the least annoying musicales I have attended in recent years, so I would think it safe to say it was to my liking. I cannot tell you whatever possessed your sister to accept the invitation, as it is so rare that there is anyone with true talent at these things, but somehow Miss Lambert did manage to find some artists worthy of the title.”
Alanna chimed in at this point. “I do not understand why neither of you will admit that a musical evening can be a lovely way to spend one’s time,” she said plaintively. “And you are correct, Mother, Miss Lambert’s efforts truly paid off this evening. I was disappointed that the hour had arrived when I had agreed to meet Bryghton. I would have enjoyed staying even longer.”
The duchess allowed a delicate shudder to show itself upon her features. “I do believe in this moment that you are your father’s offspring, not mine. That second singer, and I believe I am being generous in calling her such, strained every skill I possess to not make a scene, so horrid was her caterwauling.”
Now Alanna could not hold back her amused snort. “For one thing, you have never been tempted to make a scene in all your born days. And for another, I thought her song choice was quite entertaining even if she did not quite possess the vocal range to be able to pull it off successfully. We must give her credit for having the courage to attempt it, especially with such an audience around her.”
The duchess had nothing constructive to add to her daughter’s comments so she turned the subject. “Let us hope the Pembrokes have not scrimped on the expense of their musicians. I do not think I could bear it if the music is sub-par here after what my ears have been subjected to thus far this evening.”
“Bravo, my lady,” Bryghton applauded. “I must say this is the closest to waspish that I have ever heard you be.”
“I know, my dear. I should probably apologize, but I just cannot stand these musicales that your sister insists we attend upon occasion. Blessedly, I manage to restrain her for the most part but every once in a while she gets one past me and accepts the invitation before I realize what she is about.”
Alanna grinned at her mother but answered meekly enough. “Thank you, Mother, for your forbearance this evening. I had a lovely time, and I am only sorry that you did not enjoy it as much as I did.” It was now her turn to try to change the topic. With a little bounce on the seat, which brought a slight frown to her mother’s brow, Alanna allowed her youthful excitement to shine through. “Do you think the prince might attend this evening? It is rumoured that he enjoys attending events hosted by the Earl of Pembroke and might make an appearance tonight.”
“Why would you be interested in his attendance?” the duke asked with mild curiosity.
“Wherever he goes he is accompanied by such an entourage and an aura of excitement. I have yet to attend the same events as him this Season and I have missed the added
spice.”
“Never you mind getting caught up in the Prince’s spice, my dear,” reprimanded the duchess with caution. “He may be our future king, but I do not have any aspirations of you being a part of his court.”
“Would you have me deny him were he to invite me to dance?” Alanna asked incredulously.
“Of course not. That is why you should ensure you are on the opposite side of the ballroom whenever you find yourself at the same event as him.”
Alanna turned rounded eyes upon her mother. “Are you verging on treason, Mother?”
The duchess relaxed back against the cushions of the well-sprung carriage and allowed a tinkle of laughter to escape her lips. “Pray do not be a silly goose, Alanna. I am merely warning a young girl about the dangers that accompany the Season. Ah, we have arrived. Now mind your hem as you step out of the carriage, my dear.”
Alanna allowed her eyes to meet her brother’s for a moment and he gave her a conspiratorial wink. He whispered in her ear while handing her down to the waiting footman, “Have no fear, I shall contrive not to allow the Regent to behead her.”
Still grinning as she thanked the footman and awaited her mother, Alanna tucked her hand into her brother’s bent elbow. With his mother on his other arm, the duke escorted both beautiful ladies up into the earl’s elegant and large home. Alanna dutifully held her voluminous skirts away from their feet as they ascended the stairs while gazing about with interest at the beautiful décor. It would seem the countess had remodelled her public rooms since the last time they had visited.
Bryghton immediately noted the stir caused by the appearance of most of the Wychwood family at one event. There was a cascading murmur amongst the assembled throng as the trio stood momentarily at the top of the stairs. As there was no one currently trying to ascend, they remained as they were, three abreast, and descended to the crowded ballroom below.
Alanna had been correct, Bryghton acknowledged to himself—his presence was remarked upon much more than he would have anticipated. It was true that he rarely attended such events, but he was taken aback at the extent of others’ interest in his being there. It was a good thing he had followed her advice and made an appearance this evening. If they were able to convince Lady Victoria to go about with them a bit during the Season it would be less remarkable if he already were a fixture rather than an oddity.
He could not help thinking that it was going to be a long night as he forced a smile to his face instead of the grimace of discomfort that was threatening to display itself. He was relieved to hear a familiar and welcome voice hailing him as they reached the bottom of the grand staircase.
“I could barely credit my own eyes when I saw you coming down those stairs,” Alfred declared drolly, slapping his friend playfully on the arm as the duke waved off his mother who had just spotted someone she wished to speak to. “Two balls in one week? Whatever are you doing here, your grace?”
Bryghton looked at his friend with an inscrutable glare before replying, “I am escorting my beloved little sister to a ton event, and whatever are you doing here?”
Stifling his amused chuckle, Alfred matched the duke’s tone. “I, too, am escorting my sister. In my case, it is actually true, as this is Eloise’s first Season and she does not seem to be quite up to snuff. The chit really needs her big brother watching over her, whereas I am quite certain your Alanna has never needed her big brother breathing over her protectively.”
“Thank you, my lord,” said Alanna, dimpling, and dropping him a quick curtsy.
Assuming a dignified air, Alfred bowed to her as he said, “Merely stating the truth as I see it, my lady.”
Bryghton looked sternly down his nose at his dearest friend. “You remind me that I have something of a rather serious nature to discuss with you, my lord.”
Catching the warning note in the duke’s voice, Alfred’s jovial expression was replaced with a more serious mien. “Really, your grace, I would hardly think the ballroom of the Earl of Pembroke is an appropriate place for any serious discussion. Surely we must find some willing ladies to escort to the dance floor.” Turning to Alanna, the baron bowed formally and invited her to the dance.
Smiling, Alanna accepted and was swept into the fray.
“I take it you told him about our expedition this afternoon. It is often hard to tell with your brother. Is he truly angered or was that just bluster?”
Alfred did not seem overly worried, but Alanna recognized that he too was often hard to read. “I do not think he is at all angry on the matter, but as you say, it is difficult to tell. You shall have to see for yourself.” She grinned at her dance partner, not at all flirtatiously. “But he has agreed to come with me tomorrow to speak with the lady, so he cannot have hated the idea overly, I should think.”
“Mayhap not,” said Alfred, unconvinced. Changing the subject, he asked solicitously, “How was the musicale you attended?”
Sighing rapturously, Alanna launched into a delighted description of her evening thus far, concluding with the words, “You should have been there—it is just impossible to describe.”
Alfred grinned at his partner. “It is hard for me to believe that you are a jaded lady of Society, m’lady. When you rhapsodize so enthusiastically it reminds one of a chit straight from the schoolroom.”
The baron chuckled at Alanna’s playful swat over this traitorous statement and continued, “Truly, Lady Alanna, I must say the thought of attending such an event sets my hair on end, and I think your description was much more enjoyable to listen to than the evening could have possibly warranted.”
Alanna looked at him appraisingly. “Have you been talking to my mother already this evening?”
“No, why? Is she of the same mind?”
“Exactly so! She was questioning my sanity before we even set foot into the baron’s home. Now, never mind about that. This number seems to be ending. Now you must take me to see your sister. I can hardly credit that she is out of the schoolroom. I must welcome her to Town.”
“Should I not take you back to your brother?” Alfred asked, minding the proprieties.
Alanna looked to where her brother was on the side of the dance floor, seemingly engaged in a conversation while still maintaining an eye on her progress through the room. “He can see me from where he is and can join us if he so wishes.”
Alfred met his friend’s eye across the room and gave him a helpless shrug and a brief nod. He was relieved when the duke returned his nod with a half-smile of his own. The baron escorted his dance partner from the floor and over to where his aunt and sister were gadding happily.
Standing a bit to the side, Alfred watched with amusement as Lady Alanna exclaimed prettily over his little sister.
“My dearest Miss Lynster, it has been an age since we last saw you. And Lady Sybil, I am delighted to see you again. You really must call upon my mother at your earliest convenience, she will be overjoyed to have a visit with you, to be sure.”
Eloise dipped into an elegantly practiced curtsy, making Alanna laugh. “My dear girl, I am far from royalty, you must never dip so low to what really amounts to your competition.” This remark caused the inexperienced younger girl to release her pent up nerves in a giggle.
“Lady Alanna, I am very happy to see you again, but you really must call me Eloise.”
“Gladly, and you must call me Alanna. Now tell me all about your doings since you came to Town and how you are enjoying your debut thus far.”
Alfred felt his eyes beginning to glaze over with boredom as his sister launched into a very detailed description of all the tedious matters connected with her sojourn in the city. Marvelling at Alanna’s ability to appear interested in the extensive descriptions, the baron was relieved when he felt a familiar presence at his side.
“My lord duke, what a pleasure to see you,” Alfred said, grinning.
“You appeared a little in need of rescue.”
“And you have come to enjoy seeing yourself in the light of rescue
r of late?” bantered the baron.
“Does not every gentleman wish to see himself in such a way?” He continued in an undertone on to a touchier subject. “Whatever possessed you to take my sister to meet Lady Victoria? I do not want her mixed up in the mess with Drake and Pickering.”
Alfred turned a wide-eyed innocent look upon his friend. “Have you ever tried to dissuade her from doing something she wished to do?”
“How did she even know about wishing to do this, I wonder?”
The baron stared at the duke in some surprise. “She told me that you told her all about your meeting. She was filled with romantic ideas about arranging a match between you and the poor noblewoman. Escorting her to meet the lady was the best idea I could come up with when your sister told me her plans of going and knocking on Pickering’s door demanding to meet the lost lady.”
Bryghton’s eyebrows were knitted together in question. “She said I told her about Victoria?”
“It was some sort of distraction technique at your mother’s dinner the other evening, she said.”
“Ah yes. She was flirting with Drake’s nemesis, Dalton, and Drake inelegantly demanded that she cease. When it appeared they were about to launch into an ill-bred scene I stepped in and told her the tale. I never thought it would motivate her to meet the lady for herself. And she wanted to go straight to the earl’s house?” he asked, barely suppressing his shudder of disgust.
“In her defense, she knows nothing of the earl’s history or reputation. I told her as little as possible but enough to dissuade her from actually going to the house. That is when she demanded to be taken to the park to meet the lady and I complied.”
“Well then, I owe you my thanks rather than my censure, do I not?” Alfred managed not to laugh at his friend’s disgruntled tone as the duke continued. “Did the chit tell you she has convinced me to return with her on the morrow to lend my voice to her pleas to be allowed to sponsor Lady Victoria in her curtsy to Society?”
“She did mention something of the sort. I admit I am surprised you agreed to it. What of the earl’s demand that she not see you?”
The Reluctant Debutante: A Sweet, Regency Romance (Ladies of Mayfair Book 4) Page 15
