Page 13 of A Duchess to Unravel
“Tristan,” she whispered as their friends respectfully moved away, “I know I agreed to look for a husband, but this is happening rather fast, don’t you think? I only just reconnected with my friends. Now you are shoving a mating ritual upon me?”
“No, you attendedthatlast night, remember?” He remarked quietly, so the others would not hear.
Theo’s cheeks flushed at the insinuation, but she had no retort.
“It is just a dinner,” Tristan sighed. “If you do not find an interesting match that is fine, but you must break out of this shell you’ve enclosed yourself in, Theo. It is time. And, just so you know, the gentlemen I am inviting are quite remarkable. They all want to partake in business with Lord Alistair Harleigh, the new Duke of Caldermere and Dominic has warned me he holds his associates to very high standards.”
“Remarkable enough to ignore any rumors that may be circulating about me?” Theo asked pointedly.
“We will find out,” Tristan replied, shrugging his shoulders. “Whether you find a match or not, we still need to have the dinner. All four of us want to invest in more of Caldemere’s breweries. They are most famous in Scotland. We’d make a fortune. But there’s more. The prior Duke of Caldermere’s holdings were left standing idle for too long. Many of his businesses reached a stasis and partners fled. There are new seats on these boards available, ones we hope to claim to reinvigorate profits as the new duke breathes life back into them. He is known for turning failing projects into gold mines, so do not fight me on this, Theo. Please.”
Theo pursed her lips as she looked away from her brother and toward his office. Her friends were coming out of the adjoining library, their trick wrapped up in multiple cloths to take it back to the kitchen.
“They are all coming to the party as well, correct?” She asked, nodding toward them. “Even Ophelia and Rosamund?”
“Of course they can,” Tristan replied.
“Very well then,” Theo sighed.
“It will be wonderful,” Tristan assured, swooping an arm around her. He kissed her forehead once more and then gave her a little squeeze. “I promise.”
Theo nodded but did not entirely believe him. It might not be as large of a soirée as a ball, but the idea of a dinner party still felt overwhelming. Especially since she knew her brother was hoping that she find a suitor.
“Do you need any help?” She asked.
Tristan shook his head.
“We have it handled. Go, enjoy the day with your friends. Perhaps adventure outdoors for some shopping. Purchase a new gown for the occasion. Just, no more tricks until after the dinner, I insist.”
She let out a small laugh, pushing out of her brother’s embrace.
“No tricks,” she promised, and let him go back to work.
Her anxiety swirled in her stomach. Theo wrung her hands together and she bit her bottom lip, walking down the hall. Shegasped, startled, when she found her friends waiting for her around the corner.
“It will be fine.” Ophelia stated confidently.
“We will make it fine.” Rosamund added. “Fun, even.”
A smile tugged at her lips as they circled around her, ensuring her that she would not have to face the party alone.
“Come,” Seraphina urged, “Let us take your brother’s advice and go shopping.”
“And talk,” Amelia added. “Tell us of you and this renewed insistence from Tristan to find a suitor.”
Realizing that she was ready to do so, Theo nodded and let her friends lead down the stairs.
CHAPTER THREE
“Goodness! I forgot what quite the presence you are, Your Grace!” Amelia Astorfield, the Duchess of Ellsworth exclaimed.
Alistair Harleigh, the claimed heir to the Dukedom of Caldermere chuckled. As did Amelia’s husband, Dominic, while Alistair ducked and climbed into their carriage.
“I am indeed, Your Grace,” he replied, then swept his large hand toward Dominic--“but so is your husband.”
The Duke of Ellsworth was a man Alistair certainly considered as a business associate, but soon, he hoped to also count as a friend. The man was fierce, both in business and life, just as Alistair was. He had a moral compass all his own and he did not allow the pressures of society to change that inner navigation.
“That is for certain,” Amelia replied, leaning affectionately into her husband’s shoulder. Dominic’s mutual affection was clear on his face as he smiled handsomely down at his wife.
