Page 44 of The Duchess' Ultimatum
“This is Nicholas…” Lord Kenbrook turned and waved his son forward. Twenty-four years of age, Nicholas was taller than his father but far skinnier; all limbs and no strength in his posture. He had a kind face and simple eyes, a nervous smile, and the tendency to rub at his elbow and fidget with his hands as he spoke.
“And this is Henrietta…” Lord Kenbrook then brought his daughter forward. She was just nineteen but already a beauty with her flaming red hair and dazzling green eyes like her father, and a sense of confidence that her brother could not match. And when she looked at Dorian, it was in that same way a tiger might size up its prey before deciding if it was worth the effort.
“Ah, yes, good.” Dorian smiled at Lord Kenbrook’s children. “It is a pleasure to meet you both.”
“Yo – you too, Your Grace,” Nicholas stammered.
“The pleasure is all ours, Your Grace,” Henrietta said, holding her big green eyes on Dorian as she offered a small curtsey. “All mine, for certain.”
“Yes…” Dorian eyed the young woman suspiciously, not at all liking her extreme forwardness. Then he turned his attention to Nicholas, liking even less how damn awkward the boy was.
That is a problem…
He’d known Lord Kenbrook had a son of a similar age to Barbara and had wondered if they might make a decent match. He was but one of several possible suitors this weekend, but one that Dorian was counting on because with Lord Kenbrook being the known social climber that he was, he would be only too eager to see his son married to the daughter of a duke.
Now, to look at the nervous boy who was all limbs and could not stop fidgeting, he was forced to consider that in this instance he might have missed the mark.
“All looks to be going well,” Lord Kenbrook started. He had an arrogant smirk that seemed permanently fixed on his round face. “A resounding success, Your Grace.”
“Is it true that there is a ball tonight?” Henrietta asked, fluttering her eyelashes as she spoke.
“There is,” Dorian answered her. “The garden party is set to go until sundown, at which point time will be given for my guests to bathe and dress themselves, ready for the ball. It promises to be quite the affair.”
“You have spared no expense,” Lord Kenbrook said. “And I cannot imagine the effort such a weekend took to prepare.”
“Oh…” Dorian could not help but smile. “It was no big thing.”
“And he is modest,” Lord Kenbrook chuckled. “All that is to say, it promises to be a weekend to remember. My son, Nicholas, has not been able to stop speaking of it.” Lord Kenbrook then glared at his son.
“Oh!” Nicholas stepped forward. “Y – yes, Your Grace. I… I have been looking so forward to it.”
“Tell him why, Nicholas.”
Nicholas’ cheeks turned pink and his eyes widened. He looked at his father, who glared back in warning. “I…” Nicholas swallowed. “My father was telling me of your sister, Lady Barbara. I would very much like to meet her.”
“You would?” Dorian frowned.
“Y – yes,” Nicholas stammered. “If that is acceptable with you.”
It was that. And hearing such a thing should have pleased Dorian immensely. How Nicholas had heard of Barbara, and why he was so eager to meet her… that was not his concern for now. This entire weekend was for moments like this one and Dorian would not waste the opportunity.
“How about an introduction?” Dorian said with a welcoming smile. “Lord Kenbrook, would you mind if I borrowed your son?”
“Not at all!” Lord Kenbrook cheered. He then quickly took his daughter by the hand and pulled her back. “Henrietta, let us engage in a game of croquet.”
Henrietta pouted, never taking her eyes from Dorian. “If you insist, Father…”
“So, Nicholas, why don’t you tell me about yourself?” Dorian asked the question as he fell in beside the boy and directed him across the garden to find Barbara.
Where he meant to pay attention, seeing as he needed to know as much about the young man as he could, he soon found his attention drifting… and then focusing on what should have been obvious. Such that he felt like a fool for not realizing it sooner.
Barbara was across the other side of the garden, currently standing with Penelope and two of her sisters. To see his sister laughing the way she was, being social for a change, should have had him smiling, but his stomach flipped and then sunk becausethis introduction he planned on making would require him to speak with Penelope for the first time since last evening.
Still, that kiss sat with him. How he hadn’t been able to control himself. How he had acted after the fact. And how Penelope was likely feeling because of what he had done. No idea what to say to his wife, no idea what she might want to hear, Dorian had never felt so unsure and confused as he did right now.
He tried to tell himself not to let it bother him. Right now, his sister was what mattered and he would deal with his feelings for Penelope later. Easy to say, harder to do, and as he and Nicholas walked the garden together he knew already that he was in for averylong andveryawkward weekend indeed.
Perhaps his sister had been right. Perhaps throwing this party was a most foolish endeavor that he should not have bothered with.
