Page 65 of The Insufferable Duke
“We have come.” Christopher bowed to the family, tearing his gaze away from Helena.
What did that look mean?
He couldn’t ask her now. He longed to get her alone, to have a chance for them to speak openly to one another, to speak of that kiss and what it had meant, but with the families face to face, now hardly seemed the time.
“We are looking forward to the event,” Christopher said, looking at his brother, who was practically bouncing on his toes.
“Come, Lord Robert,” the Duchess of Dunton said and stepped forward. “Your guests await you, and they are eager to see you. We shall all walk over together to the chapel soon.” At her welcoming movement, Christopher balked as did Robert.
“Y-yes, I would like that, thank you.” Robert stepped forward, eager to oblige her, covering up the stutter he had made in surprise with a cough. He walked away with the Duchess and Lady Gibbs Carter. Frances eagerly followed them as did Laura, leaving the rest of them to stand on the doorstep, awkwardly looking between them.
“What’s going on?” Isaac muttered at Christopher’s side. “Where are they going?”
“To see the guests,” Christopher explained in a low tone.
“What’s wrong with him?” the small boy that stood beside the Duke of Dunton asked and pointed unashamedly at Isaac.
“Matthew!” the Duke hissed in reprimand.
“My apologies, Your Grace, Lord Isaac,” Helena spoke quicky. “My brother is still young and can be impertinent at times. He means to be… curious, not offensive.”
Christopher could have laughed at her attempt to smooth things over, but fortunately, Isaac seemed to believe her and nodded.
“Well, I was a rascal at his age too.” Isaac nodded his head at the boy. “Forever stealing doucets and treats from the kitchens, I was. Drove the cook mad.”
“I do that.” The boy wrinkled his nose. “Father says I can’t do it again.”
Isaac laughed warmly. A change had happened, and Christopher looked at his uncle in amazement.
“Well, I always told my father I’d stopped doing it.” Isaac winked at the boy. “Whether that was the truth or not…” The boy laughed warmly.
Christopher raised his eyebrows at Helena to see she had mimicked his look, for they were both startled.
“Matthew, shall we show Lord Isaac to the other guests?” the Duke of Dunton asked and nodded his head at the corridor. “This way, My Lord. We have some drinks prepared.”
“A drink. Yes, I dare say I could handle one of those — if it has a kick to it.” Lord Isaac stepped properly into the house and followed the Duke, along with Matthew and Lord Gibbs. At the rear, Lord Gibbs walked with his hands balled into fists, hardly pleased at the turn of events.
Once they were gone, Christopher turned to Helena, smiling.
“Did you cast a spell over the family?” she asked, holding her hands out helplessly.
“Strange, I was about to ask you the same thing.” He moved toward her. “I believe there was a glimmer there.”
“A glimmer?”
“Of hope.” He smiled at her, and his eyes wandered, looking over the fine bridesmaid’s gown she wore. It was the same gown he had seen her try on at the modiste’s shop, but it was now finished and suited her even more than before with the blue silk complimenting her eyes and flattering her willowy figure.
“Where are you looking?” she teased him.
“Ahem. I was admiring the gown,” he explained after clearing his throat and returning his eyes to hers.
“Is that what you were doing?” There was a flirtatiousness to her tone, one he couldn’t resist.
“Perhaps.” He glanced at the corridor and the door at the end that led to another room that seemed busy with people with the guests already gathered. He had to take advantage of the moment now to talk to Helena whilst the others were distracted. Knowing they could be disturbed at any moment in the entrance hall, he nodded at another door. “What is through there?”
“Our parlor.”
“May we?” He motioned to it. She hesitated in no rush to answer him. “Please, Helena, there is something we must speak of.”
