"Lord Cygnus, welcome," Lord Ferrington says, a wide smile on his face. "It is a pleasure to see you and your wife again."
"Lord Ferrington," I respond with a nod. "It is a wonderful evening."
"All thanks to my wife." He glances over in the direction of the red-haired woman speaking with some of the other guests, a doting smile on his face.
It seems as if I'm not the only one who is deeply in love with his wife. "She does a most excellent job."
"She does. Now, you must excuse me, I shouldgreet my other guests." He turns to my parents, giving myself and Letitia the perfect excuse to get away.
"I have an idea," Letitia whispers, taking my hand and drawing me across the room to where the retiring rooms are waiting for us.
I chuckle. "I believe that would be highly improper, Lady Cygnus."
"Since when has that stopped you?" she teases. "Besides, we're married now, the most that would happen is that we're affectionately called rude. And I doubt that will happen. People are already talking about us being a love match, they'll no doubt think this is all part of it."
"We are a love match," I point out. "It's just that neither of us realised it until it was too late."
She lets out a small laugh, drawing the attention of some of the nearby attendees, making it difficult to lip away. "You might be right about that. Though I'm all right if we don't enlighten anyone as to the real way our relationship started."
"That is fair." I smile dotingly at her, wishing that we were at home, but knowing that it is important for us to put in an appearance at events such as this. "I believe Miss Rocke and Miss Falnor are trying to gain your attention," I say, nodding over in their direction.
Letitia looks over to them and arches an eyebrow. She sighs. "They probably wish for me to introduce them to someone, it can wait."
"That doesn't seem likely," I counter. "Miss Rocke is already betrothed, and from what you've said, Miss Falnor isn't interested in any of the gentlemen attending this kind of event."
"I feel like I am supposed to chide you for paying too much attention, but I'm too glad that you listen to what I say."
I let out a laugh. "I aim to please, Lady Cygnus."
She shakes her head in bemusement. "I should go and see what they want. We shall have to delay our moment alone."
I raise her hand to my lips and kiss the back of it through her glove, already contemplating how I might remove it later.
Letitia stiffens and her gaze flits between her friends and the doorway.
"What is it?" I ask.
"I've never seen Georgiana so pale," she whispers. "Do you know who the man in the military uniform is?"
I look towards the door, almost ready to disappoint her before I realise that I do know who it is. "I believe it's Captain Stone."
"Henry Stone?" she checks.
I frown and try to remember the day I met him at the club. "I think so, but we only met a handful of times. I don't know him well at all. Why?"
"I need to go."
"Letitia?"
"I'm sorry, Georgiana needs me." From the expression on her face, I can tell that it's serious.
"Of course. Come find me when you're ready." I smile so she knows that I'm being genuine.
"Thank you, I truly appreciate it." She smiles and pulls away, hurrying to join her friends.
"Leaving you at the first possible opportunity, I see," Mother says from beside me.
I close my eyes and let out a loud sigh. "Mother, this is not the place."