“Lord Warrington,” Mr Tulk greeted him formally with a low bow before asking, “Do forgive the interruption, but I was rather hoping I might be able to step in for a dance with Miss Skeffington. Would you mind, my lord? I do believe my cousin would never forgive me if I did not.”
Thomas followed the gentleman’s gaze and found that Lady Kendall was indeed watching them with expectation. Standing just behind the young woman, looking far less amiable and maybe even a little threatening, was Mr Gouldsmith and Thomas quickly realised that Mr Tulk was the least of his worries.
Mr Gouldsmith was staring over Lady Kendall’s shoulder from where he was stood talking with one of the other gentlemen and his wife and although he was looking in their direction, the man was not looking at Thomas. He was gazing directly at Miss Skeffington, a hungry glint in his eye that made Thomas more than a little uncomfortable.
Glancing at Miss Skeffington, relieved to see that she had not noticed the man watching her, Thomas quickly stepped into Mr Gouldsmith’s line of sight, making no attempt to avoid the man’s gaze. Mr Gouldsmith, locking eyes with Thomas, merely offered a smile and raised the glass he was holding in his hand in a gesture of goodwill. Thomas’ stomach clenched and he gritted his teeth though he forced a smile for the gentleman just in case there might be anyone watching them.
“I would be pleased to give up Miss Skeffington to you, Mr Tulk,” Thomas announced, forcing himself to offer his attention back to the two of them rather than thinking on how little he liked Mr Gouldsmith. “So long as you promise to look after her well. I do believe your cousin would never forgivemeif anything bad were to happen after I had handed her over to you.”
“Lord Warrington, you are not my keeper,” Miss Skeffington pointed out though she did not sound offended or anything close. In fact, she still sounded quite mischievous, almost as though her earlier upset toward him was entirely forgotten.
It was clear from the look in her eyes that she was still playing some kind of game.Perhaps she had decided to get on board with her friend’s plans,Thomas thought, though he could not imagine Miss Skeffington working hard to hook any of the men beneath her friend’s roof.
“I am sure he is not, but I shall make the promise to him all the same as we both know my cousin is quite protective of you and will put the blame on whomever she sees fit if anything bad were to happen to you,” Mr Tulk smiled and offered his hand to Miss Skeffington. “Shall we?”
Miss Skeffington only glanced at Thomas, offering him a bow of her head before she took Mr Tulk’s hand and allowed him to lead her away for the next dance. Thomas watched them go, his gut churning as he observed them, only relieved that it had been Mr Tulk and not Mr Gouldsmith or even one of the other gentlemen who had asked to take over.
She deserves much more than him,Thomas thought grimly as he glanced about the ballroom,much more than any of them.