Hardly a Husband (Free Fellows League 3)
"You gave me your word, Lord Shepherdston," she reminded him. "And depending upon what we face when we enter that ballroom once more, you may have no choice."
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Chapter Twenty-Two
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Never say more than is necessary.
— Richard Brinsley Sherilan, 1751-1816
The ballroom was abuzz with whispers when they re-entered it, but the whispering was more about Jarrod's extraordinary appearance at the Garrisons. No one seemed to care that he'd left the ballroom in the middle of a quadrille then suddenly reappeared in the company of Lady Dunbridge, Lord Mayhew, and Lady Dunbridge's niece.
The fact that Lord Garrison's house had once belonged to the Marquess of Shepherdston was no secret, nor was the fact that Lord Shepherdston hadn't set foot upon the property for any reason in over fifteen years.
The fact that he had done so tonight in order to escort a young lady and her aunt was the primary topic of speculation. Even for his host and hostess.
"I hope his coming here tonight hasn't set the tongues wagging again about the old tragedy," Lady Garrison commented as she and her sister, Alyssa, the Duchess of Avon, stood with their husbands near the terrace doors and the refreshment tables set up at the far end of the ballroom.
"Oh, Anne," Alyssa sighed. "Don't start worrying about that. You were thrilled when he accepted your invitation."
"I know," Anne admitted, "but I've been inviting him to every gathering we've had since Richard and I married and he's always refused. I suppose I've grown more accustomed to his refusal. And when he asked that I include Lady Dunbridge and Miss Eckersley in the invitation even though they are in deep mourning, I wasn't at all sure I was doing the right thing in agreeing."
"You did exactly the right thing," her husband said. Lord Shepherdston must have a reason for his request and I, for one, think that we should respect it."
"I agree," Anne said. "It's just that I'm not quite sure What to say to people now that he's here. And everyone is speculating about it."
"Just tell them the truth," Griff advised. "That the Marquess of Shepherdston accepted your invitation and escorted Lady Dunbridge and her niece to your party. Let folks draw their own conclusions."
Alyssa nodded. "They will anyway. You can't stop people from talking."
"I don't mind people talking," Anne said. "So long as they talk about how magnificent the house is or how splendid the party was, or how beautiful the garden looks, and what an excellent hostess I am." She frowned. "I just don't want them to start talking about the fact that it's the first time in years that Lord Shepherdston has set foot in the house." She appealed to Alyssa and Griff for understanding. "It isn't as if we've never asked him to attend our gatherings. And it isn't as if the marquess still owns the place. Richard's father bought it and spent a fortune gutting the east wing, rebuilding, and remodeling, and turning the house into the showplace it is so that everyone would forget about the rest of it. I don't want all his hard work to go for naught."
Griffin frowned at his sister-in-law. "Richard's father was able to gut, rebuild, remodel, and turn this house into a showplace because Jarrod Shepherdston practically gave it to him."
Anne was clearly surprised.
"He's right, my dear," Richard agreed. "Jarrod sold us the place for a mere fraction of what it was worth. My father could never have afforded to purchase a house the size of this one — with its extensive gardens and the view — otherwise. And Jarrod's only stipulations were that it not be torn down and that its exterior and the exterior of the folly remain unchanged because they were both designed and constructed by Wren. He said destroying the house and the folly would only add to the crimes already committed her
e. And he was right." Richard gave his wife a tender look. "Be glad Shepherdston was willing to part with so large a part of his heritage, because it's made your reputation as a premier hostess possible."
"And if anyone is ill-mannered enough to mention the tragedy that took place here, kindly inform them that you are delighted to welcome Lord Shepherdston as your guest whenever he chooses to come and equally delighted to welcome whomever he chooses to bring," Alyssa told her older sister. "And then, I suggest you strike the name of that ill-mannered person permanently off your guest list."
"Easy for you to say," Anne retorted. "You're a duchess."
Griffin laughed. "Yes, she is, but she'd have done it as a viscountess, too."
"Speaking of which," Alyssa drawled, "this viscountess turned duchess would like to know if you intend to allow waltzing this evening, because I would like to waltz with my husband and I'm sure many of your guests would like to do the same."
"I don't care how many of her guests would like to do the same," Griffin said. "I'm not waltzing with anyone but you."
Alyssa laughed. "I didn't mean to imply all Anne's guests wanted to waltz with you, my darling," she clarified. "Only that they all wanted to waltz."
"If the duchess commands that we allow the waltz… "
"She does," Alyssa interjected.
"Then, how can we refuse?" Anne replied with a smile.