Luke thought of his sister’s husband with growing warmth. The Earl of Shrewsbury, Noah Wynn, was one of the few people he had ever met who did not let what was written in the scandal sheets dissuade him from his own thoughts.
Mere months after Jemima’s scandal, where society had cast her into the shadows, he had arrived in town. A man unused to the city, he liked the stuffiness and the pretence of thetonno more than Luke did. The two had become fast friends, and when Luke had introduced the Earl of Shrewsbury to his sister, things had changed completely.
Abruptly, the Earl had found a reason to stay in London. What began as admiration turned to affection, and it wasn’t long before the two were declaring themselves in love. Their marriage was one that was joyous for Jemima, yet thetondespised her even more for it.
Something in Luke’s stomach curdled when he thought of how many times he’d heard people whispering about her.
‘How could an earl marry a woman such asher?’
“What does Noah have to say on the matter?” Luke asked, watching as Jemima continued to smile.
“When he is home from his business trips, I am happy indeed, but when he must go away, Luke, it can be rather lonely. Like me, he wishes for me to have more friends.”
“You have me to keep you company,” Luke said pointedly. “Though I admit, I am tiresome.”
“You are not tiresome, but is it so wrong to want friends who are ladies too?”
“I’m not going to offer to come and visit you in a gown if that is your next question.” Luke was delighted to see his jest worked as a distraction, for his sister laughed heartily.
“I have not become that desperate yet,” Jemima said, trying to control her giggling with a gloved hand placed to her lips. “That reminds me, where is Noah?”
Luke lifted his head and looked around, rather startled at who Noah was standing beside.
“It seems he has found Adam.”
“I’m sorry?”
Luke pointed across the room. Noah was standing in a group, chatting away and laughing. Beside him was Adam. They seemed to be laughing heartily about something, when one of the two young ladies they were talking to turned her head, revealing her face for Luke to see.
She keeps appearing this evening, it would seem.
It was Miss Storey. She was smiling politely at the conversation taking place, but she clearly was not allowing herself to guffaw with laughter as the others did.
“Let us go to him.” Luke found himself escorting Jemima forward.
“I do not wish to interrupt him.”
“We will not interrupt,” Luke said quickly, letting his eyes tarry on Miss Storey a moment longer before they appeared at their sides.
“Jemima, there you are.” Noah easily took Jemima’s hand from Luke and lifted that hand to his lips, kissing the back with affection. Luke couldn’t stop himself from smiling to witness such care. There had been a time when Luke wanted to hurl insults at everyone he met out of disgust that no one could find a shred of courage in them to be kind to Jemima. Noah changed all that. He gave Jemima the love and devotion she truly deserved.
“You have joined us at an interesting moment,” Noah went on, pulling Jemima forward so that she could enter the conversation. “Mr Barton and I were just talking to the ladies here of the music here tonight. What do you make of it, love?” he asked his wife sweetly. Jemima paused, listening to the violins carefully, before giving her answer.
“I think it pleasant. I am no connoisseur of music, but I do not know anyone who could resist a well-played violin.”
“I agree,” Miss Storey said politely. Luke could see there was restraint in her, as if she was hiding certain thoughts. “I believe the violinists here tonight are rated some of the finest in London at present. The Earl and Countess of Rushmore are patrons of them, and they have many other such wealthy supporters.”
Luke stiffened at the words. Miss Storey hadn’t exactly implied that Jemima’s opinion wasn’t worth something, but he had not liked the allusion that because the violinists were thought well of by such fine people, they should think well of the violinists too.
“Is a person’s opinion on music subject to people’s opinion ofthemfirst?” Luke couldn’t resist challenging Miss Story. She looked at him with wide eyes and her lips slightly parted.
“I hadn’t meant…” she began slowly, her cheeks colouring red. Luke felt Jemima step on his toe, a subtle way to make him be quiet, but he had no intention of doing so. There was something very amusing about breaking down Miss Storey’s attempt at being proper. Even now, she and her friend were exchanging glances, apparently trying to conceive of a way to escape the conversation.
“I take it you have been introduced before?” Noah said, gesturing between Miss Storey and Luke.
“Yes, we met earlier this evening,” Miss Storey said hurriedly.
“Twice.” Luke’s added word didn’t seem to please her. She shot him a glare, apparently praying for his silence about their meeting outside.