Bright, wickedly sparkling eyes, set in a face of such aristocratic handsomeness that he was likely to take a woman’s breath away at a glance.
His eyes were fringed by thick dark lashes, his nose was perfectly straight between high pronounced cheekbones, chiselled lips curved into a speculative smile above a surprisingly determined jaw.
As tall as Griffin, and almost as broad across the shoulders, the blond-haired gentleman was dressed in the height of fashion, despite the lateness of the hour. His superfine was a perfectly tailored black, his linen snowy white, a diamond pin nestled in the folds of his neckcloth. He had a tapered waist and hips, long legs, the layer of dust on his black boots the only evidence that he had a
lmost certainly arrived here on horseback.
He turned his quizzical gaze on his host. ‘Griff?’
‘Bea, this is my friend Christian Seaton, the Duke of Sutherland,’ Griffin introduced tersely.
The thing he had dreaded when he’d sent that letter to Maystone, that one of the Dangerous Dukes would hasten to Lancashire, had indeed come to pass. The question was, how much had Maystone imparted regarding the situation here?
He and Christian had a long-standing affection for each other, having attended Eton together, along with the other Dangerous Dukes, but even so Griffin knew that Christian was everything that he was not. Elegant. Charming. Fashionably dressed, no matter what the occasion.
Women had been known to swoon at Christian. Sensible women, matronly women, as well as the twittering debutantes who appeared in society every Season.
And Bea, Griffin noted somewhat sourly, had been unable to take her eyes off the man since he’d appeared in the doorway!
Was that jealousy Griffin felt towards his friend’s easy charm and good looks?
Ridiculous.
And yet those feelings of bad humour persisted as he finished the introduction. ‘Christian, this is my goddaughter, Beatrix.’
Bea offered Christian a shy smile. ‘I prefer to be called Bea, Your Grace,’ she invited huskily.
‘I am pleased to meet you, Bea.’ Christian nodded before turning to look at Griffin with narrowed, mocking eyes. ‘Your goddaughter, Griff? Was that the best you could come up with?’
Griffin scowled darkly. ‘The situation is not what you have assumed it to be.’
‘Maystone has made me fully aware of what the situation is, Griff,’ Christian assured him as he strolled further into the room to take Bea’s hand in his before raising it to his lips. ‘I trust you are now recovered somewhat from your unpleasant ordeal?’
Griffin’s mouth tightened as he realised that Christian did indeed know exactly how Bea had come to be a guest at Stonehurst Park. Just as he could see, by the sudden wariness in Bea’s expression, she was also aware of Sutherland’s insight into the reason for her presence here.
‘Maystone sent you?’ Griffin queried abruptly.
Christian finally released Bea’s hand as he turned to Griffin.
‘Maystone is also on his way here. By carriage. I was able to travel faster on horseback.’
Griffin had not expected his letter of query to Maystone to have elicited quite such a reaction as this. It did not bode well regarding the outcome of that query.
‘I am to assist in protecting your...goddaughter until Maystone arrives and explains all,’ Christian added grimly.
Bea was uncomfortable at learning that the Duke of Sutherland seemed aware of the details of her current situation. Most especially so because she had never heard of the gentleman until his arrival a few minutes ago. ‘Griffin?’ she asked uncertainly.
Griffin moved to stand at her side. ‘Christian is a trusted friend, Bea,’ he assured her gruffly.
That might well be true. But was it not humiliating enough that Griffin knew of her circumstances, without the charmingly handsome Duke of Sutherland being aware of them too?
She turned to look at the man now. ‘Do you know my true identity, sir?’
‘I do,’ he confirmed abruptly.
‘And?’ she prompted as he added nothing to that statement.
He winced. ‘I have been instructed not to discuss the matter until Lord Maystone arrives.’