An offer she would ignore. Angling her chin haughtily, she met his gaze. “In case I don’t get a chance, please relay to your countess how very much I appreciated her presence today.”

He twisted his lips into an ironic smile, and once more she was hit with a sense of familiarity. Perhaps she’d seen a similar smile on Viscount Wyeth during one of the many times they’d danced. Finally, Elverton walked away, and the tension within her eased.

“Are you all right?” Thornley asked.

Looking up at him, she knew no propositions would be coming from this man. It was no secret how much he adored his wife. “As all right as any woman can be on the day her husband is placed in the ground.”

“That was a rather thoughtless question on my part, although to be honest, I was referring to your encounter with Elverton. I know sometimes he can be a bit . . . uh—”

“Of an arse?”

He chuckled low. “Insensitive.”

“He can be that.” She decided to move the conversation away from the man who had unsettled her. “I’m sorry your duchess didn’t come. I would have welcomed her.”

“Gillie didn’t feel the circumstances were ideal for making your acquaintance. But she does send her condolences.”

“Are you happy with her, Thorne?”

“Happier than I have a right to be.”

“I look forward to meeting her someday.” Other duties had prevented her and Lushing from attending their wedding.

“I think you’ll like her.”

“I’m sure I will. I suppose you’ve come to know her siblings well.” Odd how she wanted him to reaffirm that her instincts regarding Aiden Trewlove were accurate, that in spite of his businesses, he was an honorable man. She knew her focus should be on Lushing this day, but he’d held a curiosity about the Trewloves, had even suggested she invite them to the ball they’d have hosted this Season. He’d been in favor of welcoming them into the aristocratic fold.

“It took them a while to accept me.”

She released a huff of surprise. “I’d have thought it would have been the other way around.”

“They are impressed with neither rank nor title. But there is a goodness to them that initially put me to shame. They look out for the poorest and weakest among us, looking for nothing in return. Lady Aslyn and Mick recently opened a home for unwed mothers, while Lady Lavinia and Finn are taking in orphans. My dear wife feeds the hungry.”

“With your assistance.”

He shook his head. “No, she was doing that long before I ever came along. I suspect Lushing would have supported all their various charitable works.”