Blinking in surprise, Honora shook her head.
Lord Crampton appeared, to me, to be the most odious, rude, and arrogant gentleman in practically all of London, and yet I hear something entirely different from you, and the Duke of Strathaven himself!”
“You will hear it from almost all of London, I am sure,” came the reply. “I am glad I have been able to tell you about him before you said anything to anyone else!”
“I would not have done so, given that I am a companion and have no need for company other than hers, according to my aunt,” Honora replied, a rueful smile on her lips.
Lady Albina laughed and Honora’s lips curved gently, although her mind was whirring with this new and extraordinary news that Lord Crampton was not exactly as she had thought him.
Which then followed with another, more troubling question. Just how was she going to treat him now?
* * *
“If thatodiousman attempts to converse with me this evening, I shall be very cross indeed.” Honora could not help but smile at her aunt’s determined exclamations. Lady Langdon tossed her head, her chin lifted just a little. “I do not care whether the Duke of Strathaven thinks highly of him or not, I have my own impression of him and thus, I am determined to continue to hold my own judgment.”
“As am I, aunt.”
Honora had, of course, told her aunt all that Lady Albina had said, and soon afterwards had seen the same surprise and astonishment on her aunt’s face that she had felt. However, after a long monologue from Lady Langdon, it became clear that, to her mind, Lord Crampton was still to be considered both an arrogant and rude gentleman and, regardless of how he had behaved with the Duke of Strathaven, they were not about to fall at his feet and beg for him to allow them into a closer acquaintance.
“After all,” her aunt had said, “just because a gentleman has done one excellent thing does not mean that his character is atallfavorable.”
Honora had agreed wholeheartedly and had nodded her consent when her aunt instructed her to give only the smallest of responses to any conversation the gentleman might make, should he see them. The less time she spent in his company, the better – and what would be the most agreeable would, of course, be if she might never speak to the fellow again! After all, Lady Langdon had made it quite clear thatshewas the only one who was worth Lord Crampton speaking to and, whilst the sentiment injured Honora a little, she was relieved that he would, most likely, not approach her.
“If he were a little older, I would not even allow myself to consider him as a potential match!” Lady Langdon declared, a bright smile on her face as she looked around the ballroom, portraying a happiness that she clearly did not truly feel. “Quite why he wished to speak to you, I cannot imagine!”
“No, nor can I, aunt,” Honora replied, a little dully. Her aunt was, once more, speaking all that was in her heart and mind without even the smallest consideration for how Honora herself might feel. She bit her lip and looked away. Despite her lack of good opinion of Lord Crampton, there had been a slight flush of awareness that had come over her when she had seen the way he watched her. It had been a somewhat astonishing moment, for no gentleman had ever looked at her in such a way and the knowledge of it had thrown her heart into a furious rhythm whilst warmth had curled in her belly. She had dismissed it at once, of course, but the awareness of it still lingered. “I am sure that he will not approach us.”
Her aunt threw her a vague smile before turning her attention back to the ballroom.
“Now, Honora, Lord Leatham is to be present this evening.”
“Yes, aunt?” Honora replied, aware of whom Lord Leatham was since her aunt had been introduced to him at the previous ball – and Honora had been introduced also, although only with a passing glance.
“You are to watch for him and, should you see him, inform me at once,” her aunt ordered, as Honora merely nodded in silence. “Particularlyif he is alone and not in conversation.”
“I shall, aunt.”
“Good evening, Miss Gregory, Lady Langdon.”
Turning her head, the bright and ready smile that Honora had placed on her lips instantly fell away as her eyes came to rest upon none other than the very gentleman she had been hoping to avoid. Her heart sank as she looked into his eyes, seeing him attempt to smile whilst still, somehow, managing to frown.
Why did he approach if he did not wish to speak to me?Honora thought to herself, commanding herself silently to smile and then, thereafter, to drop into a quick curtsey.
“Good evening, Lord Crampton,” she murmured, as her aunt too quickly greeted him, sending a slightly sharp glance towards Honora which encouraged her to say very little by way of conversation.
“This looks to be a pleasant evening, does it not?” Lady Langdon said loudly, drawing the man’s attention. “A delightful one, in fact.”
“Yes, I think it will be a very pleasant evening,” Lord Crampton murmured, his eyes darting about the room as though he were surveying the group of gentlemen and ladies present and wondering just how many of them would be agreeable to him.
Honora caught herself frowning as Lord Crampton suddenly caught his lip between his teeth, giving the appearance of a gentleman who was a little less than confident. The expression was gone after only a moment, but Honora clung onto it, finding herself a little surprised. Perhaps there was more to Lord Crampton than it appeared – although quite why she would have any interest in that, she could not understand.
You are a companion and here only to assist your aunt. It would be best to keep any and all thought of Lord Crampton far from your mind.
“Aunt, I can see Lady Rutherford and her daughter,” she said softly, her eyes flaring so that her aunt would catch her meaning. “Did you not say that you would meet her this evening?”
Lady Langdon’s smile was a moment or two in coming but, when it did, it was with an obvious and sparkling relief that flooded her expression.
“Alas you must forgive me, Lord Crampton,” she said, as Honora felt the full warmth of her aunt’s relief in being able to step away from Lord Crampton. “I can see my friend, and I did promise to go to her the very moment we arrived. Pardon me.”