Page 14 of Lady Dramatic
Chapter Four
Charles could seevery well that Thorpe had an interest in Lady Serenity. He did not suppose it was surprising—the lady was very comely and she was a duke’s daughter. As his brotherdidhave some kind of interest, it amused him to walk off with her for the first.
As they waited for their turn at the steps, he said, “Lady Serenity, have you known my brother long?” He would like to get a feel for where, if anywhere, things might be going.
“Oh no, we were just formally introduced tonight. He, well, he did see me out his window last night. It was snowing and glorious, so I took my dog out for a walk.”
“Ah, the three-legged dog?”
Lady Serenity nodded. “Nelson,” she said.
Charles laughed. “Is he named after Lord Nelson?”
“Indeed, he is. My sisters and I felt it both honored his missing leg and distinguished him.”
The whole idea of taking in a three-legged cur one found loitering outside of an inn was absurd. Naming it after the greatest naval man in the history of the world was worse. Particularly for a duke’s daughter. She really should have some sort of rarified breed she could be proud of. However, she seemed to be quite enthusiastic over this Nelson. He suspected she was of the sentimental variety of lady and he was determined to test out the theory.
“I must admit,” he said, “I was shocked to hear that Nelson had been surviving on scraps before you rescued him. That innkeeper ought to be ashamed of his neglect of the poor thing.”
“Yes, just so! Actually, I do believe he was the littlest bit shamed when he saw how we all were so taken with Nelson. It was as if he saw the little dog who’d been living at his doors with new eyes.”
New eyes, indeed. Charles deemed himself correct in his assessment regarding the lady’s sentimentality. “Quite right he do so,” he said. “Let us hope it causes that innkeeper to do better in future.”
Lady Serenity nodded vigorously. It seemed he was hitting the right notes with her.
“Well, it’s all come right now, has it not?” Charles asked. “Nelson finds himself in more luxurious circumstances than he could have dreamed of.”
“My father says we spoil him, but he spoils him more than anybody. He always pretends to accidently drop bits of meat at table and Nelson is right there waiting for them. Do you have a dog, Lord Charles?” he asked.
Of course, he did not have a dog. His father maintained a pack for hunting, but he could hardly be expected to drag a dog hither and thither. That idea would not suit Lady Serenity though.
“I fear it will be some time before I have a dog again. I was too wrecked about losing my dear Nero to old age last year.”
He worked to look suitably sad, though no such dog had ever existed.
“Oh, I am sorry. It is heartbreaking,” Lady Serenity said.
If he was not mistaken, her eyes were teary. She was set to weep over a dog that had never existed. If there was anything that might fix her temperament in his mind, this was it.
Disturbingly, her temperament was very like Thorpe’s own—weeping over the plight of animals every time one turned round. She might be admiring of such nonsense.
But that was only if she knew it. Thorpe kept his real nature very under wraps these days. Perhaps there was something to be done with that.
“Do you also live on Grosvenor Square with your brother?” Lady Serenity asked. “I assume it is a family house?”
“It is a family house,” Charles said, “But at the present time, I am at The Albany.” Charles paused. This was the moment he’d really have to paint a picture that was not at all the truth of the situation, but very much to his benefit. “Nero and I spent many good years in that house and made a lot of memories. I think you can imagine how that might pain me. Because of my loss.”
“Goodness yes, I certainly can. I could not bear it. You are quite right not to put yourself through it.”
He had guessed right. Good luck to the seemingly reserved marquess in besting him. “I thank you for the sentiment. It is the sort of thing my brother cannot understand. He finds it too sentimental, I suppose.”
This seemed to give the lady pause.
“Oh, I see, yes, the Duchess of Devonshire mentioned he was very reserved.”
Did she, now? Excellent. He need only reinforce that idea. If he had understood the situation sufficiently, Lady Serenity was a rather soft touch. She would not prefer a frowning and serious marquess. The marquess, however, did prefer her. Else, why would he make it a point to approach the duchess to get on the lady’s card?
There was some mischief to be made here, and he was happy to make it.
