Her concerned expression tugged at his heart. “That’s terrible.”
“It’s how he was. Every little thing a person said or did mattered. I wasn’t the only one he did it to.”
“I don’t think Malcolm is like that.”
“But doesn’t he think it’s important to know the right people and stay in good graces with them?”
“He’s married to Regan, and more than that, he enjoys it. Regan was quite the scandalous lady before she had Leonard.”
“That might be true, but she’s not that way now. I suspect that’s why her marriage with Malcolm works as well as it does.”
“You’re probably right.” She examined the invitation in her hands. “I’d love to go to the ball with you. It’d always been my dream to attend a ball with a gentleman I was married to. I used to watch ladies dancing and think one day it’d be me.” Her gaze went to him, those lovely eyes urging him to understand. “What if we only stayed for an hour? We don’t have to be there the entire evening. I’d like to have two dances with you and see what the ladies are wearing. They have some of the most beautiful gowns. When they dance, it’s like a swirl of colors on the floor. Plus, I do enjoy the music.”
When she put it like that, it was impossible to tell her no. He released his breath, praying he wouldn’t regret this. “All right. We’ll go.”
“Thank you!”
“But only for an hour.”
“An hour is all I require.” She kissed him. “I can’t wait to dance with you.”
“I’m not much of a dancer,” he warned, lest she get her hopes up. Yes, he’d agreed to go with her and share two dances, but he couldn’t promise her he’d be graceful on the floor.
“Neither am I, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves.”
To him, it didn’t matter what they did together. He enjoyed being with her whether they were alone or around others. But, he supposed he really should be flattered she was willing to be seen at a ball with him. She wasn’t ashamed of him, and for that, he was thankful. He could manage to be on his best behavior for one hour. One hour, after all, wasn’t that long.
“All right,” he told her. “We’ll go to Lord Toplyn’s ball, and we’ll have a good time.”
“We will.”
Her eyes sparkled, lighting up her whole face, and he was glad he’d given into her wish to go.
Chapter Eighteen
The moment Derek arrived at Lord Toplyn’s ball, he knew the evening would be a disaster. That small voice in the back of his mind warned him to leave.
All balls were the same, no matter who hosted them.
Already, Derek could pick out a group of ladies who were huddled together, whispering behind their fans while darting their disapproving glances at those who, for one reason or another, didn’t meet up to their standards. A group of gentlemen lounging in chairs nearby weren’t that much better. They kept gesturing to a certain lady on the other side of the room, and if Derek guessed right, they were making a wager concerning her.
That wasn’t to say most of the people in attendance had other things on their mind than gossip and wagers. Most seemed content to dance and enjoy conversations with others around them. Most people came for no other reason than to have a good time, including the beautiful young lady on his arm.
He forced his gaze off the others so he could look at Danette. He was doing this for her. He could do this for her. He would go through this for her. She was worth it.
“Is it too soon to ask you to dance?” he asked her, noting the current dance was almost over.
“I don’t think so,” she replied, an undeniable excitement underlying her tone. “I can’t believe I’ll finally get a chance to dance.”
“Surely, you must have danced in the past.” Even knowing she was terribly shy around new people, he couldn’t fathom no one asking her to dance. Without a doubt, she was one of the most beautiful ladies in the room.
“I have danced in the past,” she admitted, “but it was only a few times, and none of those gentlemen meant anything to me. When I said I can’t believe I finally get a chance to dance, I meant that I’m finally with someone who means something to me.” She smiled. “I’ve been looking forward to this ever since we got the invitation.”
Returning her smile, he led her further into the room. “In that case, we must have this next dance.”
And the dancing was easy enough. In no way would he claim he danced as well as the other gentlemen, but he managed through it without bumping into someone or stepping on her feet. So as far as he was concerned, the dance itself was a success.
When the dance ended, he was ready to ask her if she wanted to search the room for anyone she might know, but Lord Toplyn and his wife came over to them.
“Lord Dodsworth, I’m glad you and your lovely wife made it,” Toplyn said. He gestured to the lady whose arm was wrapped around his. “This darling rose petal is my wife, Lady Toplyn.”
“Yes, we met,” Derek said and bowed. “She and her friends arranged my marriage, and,” he smiled at Danette, “I couldn’t be happier with their choice.”
“Splendid!” Melissa replied. “Lady Reddington was sure you two would get along just fine. So far, we’ve had nothing but success with our matches.”
“Whatever system you ladies use works,” Toplyn told her. Then, he added with a grin, “But why wouldn’t it? Ladies have an instinct for love, and my wife happens to be one of the smartest people I know.”
Melissa blushed at her husband’s compliment. After thanking him, she turned her gaze to Danette. “Would you be willing to leave your husband for a brief time to tell Lady Reddington and me how things are going?”
Danette’s eyes grew wide, as if she hadn’t expected to be asked to join Melissa and Chloe. Perhaps whenever she’d gone to a ball in the past, no one had bothered to take the time to talk to her, except for Regan. If this was the case, then Derek was glad they’d come. It’d be nice if Danette could broaden her circle of friends. He was fond of Regan, but Regan couldn’t be everywhere. Take tonight, for instance. Regan and Malcolm weren’t anywhere in sight. It’d be a shame for Danette to spend the evening alone when he couldn’t be with her.
“It’s fine with me,” Derek told Danette. “Besides, I have a feeling Lord Toplyn has something he wishes to discuss with me.”
Why else would Toplyn extend the invitation and come up to him? He had a suspicion this had to do with White’s, especially since Toplyn had never taken note of him before. He could delay the talk, of course, and come up with an excuse as to why he couldn’t leave Danette’s side. But he wasn’t one to put things off. The sooner he got this over with, the better.
“We’d love to get to know you better,” Melissa told Danette. “We won’t keep you too long from your husband. I promise.”
Despite her shock, Danette offered a nod and looked at Derek. “I won’t be gone for long.”
“Take your time. Enjoy yourself,” Derek replied.
She smiled at him, and he sensed her shyness taking over. This was probably harder for her than Melissa or Chloe could imagine. Not being prone to shyness themselves, Derek surmised they couldn’t truly appreciate how much courage this required of her. He squeezed her hand to offer her his silent encouragement then watched as she left with an excited Melissa already asking her questions about her marriage. That was good. If Melissa and Chloe did most of the talking, it’d make things easier for her.
“I wasn’t sure you’d come,” Toplyn said as the two gentlemen left the dance floor.
“Danette loves balls,” Derek replied, “and you know how it is when your wife wants something badly enough. You’d move heaven and earth to do it for her.”
“Indeed, I would. I often think it’s a pity more gentlemen don’t enjoy their marriages. But, that’s not why I was hoping to talk to you.”
“I figured as much.”
“I wanted to tell you how much you impressed me that day at White’s.”
&nb
sp; “Oh?”
“Yes.” They stepped outside on the veranda, and Toplyn continued, “I can’t help but admire someone who can come into a new place and speak his mind to someone he’s just met. I’ve only heard rumors about you, but I can see those rumors are true.”
Once again, Derek was reminded of how often people talked about him. “While people go around talking about all the shocking things I’ve done, I wish they’d remember the good I’ve done. I don’t just go around telling people what hypocrites they are. I’ve also been known to save a few lives along the way.”
“I’m well aware of that.” Toplyn sat on the bench and gestured for him to join him.
After a moment’s hesitation, Derek settled next to him. “You’ve brought me out here to ask me to go back to White’s and tell Warren what others are afraid to say? That half of you will not do what he wants?”
“Actually, the thought never crossed my mind,” Toplyn replied. “I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed watching you tell him how miserable he is. I happen to like the fact that you’re not afraid to speak your mind. Too many people keep quiet because they’re afraid to cause trouble. But not you. You say exactly what you want, and if people don’t like it, then that’s their problem. I respect you. That’s why I was hoping you’d come to my ball. I know you don’t go to them anymore.”
“Because speaking my mind has gotten me banned,” Derek interrupted.
Toplyn’s smile widened. “All the more reason to invite you. I don’t care one whit what the Ton thinks. I’ll invite whoever I want to my balls. No one’s going to tell me what to do.”
Derek relaxed. Toplyn, it seemed, just might be one of the few people who understood him.
“I consider it an honor to have you here,” Toplyn continued. “Too many people take everything so seriously. I wouldn’t pay the naysayers any mind. If their way of doing things is as wonderful as they claim, they should be happy. But they’re not. Just as you pointed out to Warren, they’re miserable. Well, if that’s what being reputable with the Ton is all about, I want no part of it.”
“You’re a rarity. Usually, people want to toss me out for stating my opinion.”
“There are more of us out there. Most people who agree with you are too afraid to admit it.”
Derek wondered if Christopher or Ethan had put Toplyn up to saying all of this. Perhaps this was their way of trying to get him to go back to White’s.
“Well, I don’t want to keep you,” Toplyn told Derek. “I’m sure you have other people you’d rather spend your time with. I just wanted to get a chance to thank you for coming.”
Derek nodded and watched as Toplyn went back into the ballroom. Yes, Derek had friends. Christopher and Ethan weren’t at all shy about inviting him to their balls. But this was the first time someone he barely knew took the time to say something nice to him. He’d been so used to criticism, he didn’t know what to think.
***
“You and Derek make a handsome couple,” Melissa told Danette as the three ladies sat in chairs at the edge of the room.
Chloe nodded her agreement. “He was so sure there wasn’t a lady brave enough to be seen in public with him, but you showed up with him, looking very proud to have him by your side. Even if he doesn’t say it, I know it means a lot to him you came here with him.”
“Is that why you and your husband invited us?” Danette asked Melissa.
“My husband, Logan, insisted on it,” Melissa began in a lower voice, “because of what happened at White’s.”
Curious, Danette leaned toward her. “What happened?”
“Derek told Lord Steinbeck he was a miserable person and that anyone who agreed with him was miserable as well.”
Danette’s eyes widened in horror. “He what?”
“Didn’t Derek tell you?” Melissa asked.
Danette shook her head. She hadn’t heard anything about the day he went to White’s except he’d thought it was a waste of time. She knew he hadn’t had any plans to go back, but never once did it occur to her it was because of this. Just what had Warren said to earn such a comment? And did this have anything to do with Malcolm? Oh dear, if it had something to do with Malcolm, this wouldn’t bode well at all.
“Logan couldn’t stop talking about it,” Melissa said. “He thought it was the funniest thing that ever happened at White’s. He went on and on about it for three whole days. It got to the point where I was ready to lock myself in a room just to get away from it.”
Danette could feel the color leave her face. This was awful. Just awful. If Logan couldn’t stop talking about it, then who else was doing it? She scanned the room, wondering if her husband was one of the topics of gossip tonight.
“Lord Steinbeck deserved it,” Chloe added, as if she sensed Danette’s unease. “My husband’s sick of listening to him telling everyone at White’s what to do. They’re all grown gentlemen, and yet Lord Steinbeck is treating them like a bunch of children. Sometimes he wants to stand up and say something, but he says Lord Steinbeck can’t be reasoned with.” She clasped her hands in her lap and gave the two ladies a pointed look. “Orlando says there’s no point in talking to someone who already has his mind made up.”
“I don’t know,” Melissa replied, her expression thoughtful. “From what Logan said, Derek really bothered Lord Steinbeck. The whole comment about his life being meaningless has Lord Steinbeck moping around London.”
Danette gasped. “Derek said Lord Steinbeck’s life has no meaning?”
Melissa shrugged. “Well, I don’t know exactly what was said. I heard Logan’s version of events, and Logan tends to focus in on parts of a conversation that interest him the most.”
“I think all people do that to some extent,” Chloe replied. “But from what Orlando told me, I’d say Logan’s right. He has no heir. An heir is everything to a titled gentleman. If he spends all his time acquiring a fortune and has no son to leave it to, then what good is it?”
“But I think Derek meant more than that,” Melissa argued. “It sounds like he was saying a life filled only with money has no purpose if there’s no one important to spend it with. Logan said Derek mentioned his brother dying without having a wife or a child. It sounds like Derek’s brother was lonely at the very end of his life.”
“I can see that,” Chloe agreed. “I was married to a gentleman who wasn’t really a husband to me. I felt absolutely no remorse when he died. I wonder if he felt like he’d had a lonely life as he was drowning.”
“My parents have always been adamant that Malcolm and I both end up married,” Melissa said. “Malcolm didn’t think he needed a wife, but I can see he’s much happier now than he was when he was a bachelor. Gentlemen need wives to give them a purpose.”
Chloe shot her friend a wry grin. “Ladies need companionship, too. It’s not just the gentlemen who benefit from marriage.”
“Yes, but Malcolm needed it far more than Regan did.”
At this point, Danette felt it was a good time to get back to the topic that had alarmed her. “Speaking of Malcolm, is he upset by what Derek said to Lord Steinbeck?” she asked Melissa. Of all people who’d know, Melissa would since she was his sister.
“He hasn’t mentioned anything about it,” Melissa replied with a shrug. “I don’t think he was there when the whole thing happened.”
“But he isn’t here tonight,” Chloe noted.
Melissa smirked. “That’s because he doesn’t like Logan. Logan finds their little feud amusing, but Malcolm sees no humor in it. You can’t completely fault Malcolm for it. Logan did force me into a marriage with him.”
“Only so his life would be complete,” Chloe teased. “He didn’t want to end up miserable and alone like Lord Steinbeck.”
The two ladies giggled, and Danette tried to find the humor in the conversation but it eluded her.
“You needn’t take the gentlemen seriously,” Chloe told Danette. “They quarrel over the silliest things. We don’t pay them any mind, an
d neither should you.”
Danette relaxed, but only slightly. What they didn’t understand was that Malcolm seemed to be the type who did take these things seriously. Very seriously.
Melissa put a hand on Danette’s arm. “I assure you, Logan has the highest respect for your husband.”
“It’s true,” Chloe added. “As does Orlando. In fact, several gentlemen at White’s wish they had the courage Derek does. You have nothing to be ashamed of.”
Danette glanced from one lady to the other, trying to gauge the sincerity in their words, and after several long moments, she came to the conclusion they were telling her the truth. Feeling much better, she gave herself permission to relax.
“I’ve never been invited to a ball,” Danette admitted. “Well, that is, I’ve never been with someone who received an invitation to the ball.”
“Oh, the invitation was as much for you as it was for Derek,” Melissa replied. “Chloe and I were both excited to talk to you and find out how things are going.”
“Helena was, too,” Chloe added, “but she just had a daughter. We promised we’d let her know what you told us.”
Danette smiled. “Well, in that case, tell her things are going along better than I dreamt possible. I fell in love with him as soon as I met him.” And now, she didn’t mind coming out and saying it to others. Her mother and Regan were right. It was time she stopped assuming something horrible was about to happen and just take time to enjoy the moment. “Everything’s wonderful.”
“That’s just what we wanted to hear!” Chloe exclaimed, clasping her hands in excitement. “I’ve wanted Derek to find a lady who appreciates him ever since I saw how good he was with my brother.”
“Also,” Melissa added, “it’s so nice to know we do an excellent job of matchmaking.”
Chloe grinned. “Yes, that’s true.”
This time, Danette laughed right along with them. “I can’t think of a better group of ladies who pair up couples like you three do.”
Her Devilish Marquess Page 16
