Page 49 of The Duchess' Ultimatum
“Tell me of your brother,” Dorian asked the young lady, figuring that he might as well put the woman to good use if she was going to be hanging off him like this.
“Oh. What would you like to know?”
“Is he kind?” Dorian asked. As he spoke, he looked around them, making sure that they were not being watched too closely. The party was busy, most people in the area looked like they were engaged, and thankfully he and Henrietta had found themselvesmostly covered by a row of hedges. “Is he… a decent sort? I confess, I know little about him.”
“He is lovely,” she assured him. “Truly, I count myself lucky to have him as an older brother. And any young woman should be glad to find him at the center of his attention.”
“Is that so…”
“It is,” she said with a flirtatious smile. “I noticed that he and your sister were getting along rather well. Would you like me to put in a good word? I do not mind.”
Dorian frowned at the response. Although it was exactly what he wanted to hear, it sounded a little too… rehearsed. As if she was saying what she knew she must. No doubt her father was as eager for the match as Dorian. But were his intentions pure?Knowing Lord Kenbrook, highly unlikely.
“Perhaps we should find him?” Dorian suggested, trying to peel his arm free. “Do you know where –”
“Later, Your Grace,” she purred, keeping him in her clutches. “We have all weekend. And besides, I was rather enjoying your company.” Again, she fluttered her eyelashes.
Dorian suppressed a groan.
Desperate not to encourage Henrietta, he made sure not to pay her any attention, widening his gaze across the garden party ashe searched for his sister. He found her quickly, hovering by the stage where the orchestra were playing. A smile touched his lips to see her laughing with Penelope’s sisters, crying out as they tried to drag her forward so she might dance with them.
She had changed so much these past few weeks. Still shy. Still nervous around crowds. It was amazing how she opened up when she was with people whom she felt comfortable around.
It gave Dorian hope for this weekend. He had been with her when she’d met with Nicholas Wood, not the most promising start as both were so darn awkward. But she had not shied away, and with his help the two had managed a brief conversation.
Will it lead anywhere? I suppose that time will tell.
There were other suitors who had approached Barbara today also, and Dorian had met with each of them. Thankfully, he was not required to be by her side when each spoke to her, because Penelope’s sisters had made sure to offer her support.
He would need to thank them when he got the chance. He would also need to thank Penelope…
Despite his best efforts, Dorian searched next for his wife, unable to find her in the crowd. She was avoiding him, he was sure. Or perhaps he was the one avoiding her?
They would need to talk soon.
He still did not know what he would say when they did. His first thought was to apologize, but he dismissed that quickly because he wasn’t so certain that he should.
What was he apologizing for? For kissing her, or for ending it so abruptly? The kiss had caught him by surprise, not intended, but he’d acted on pure instinct and desire that had shocked him as much as it must have her. Taken by her beauty, reminded of the past few days and how close they had grown together, he hadn’t been able to control himself. Dammit, he wanted to kiss her – he wanted more than that!
Alas, it was as their lips touched that he came back into himself and realized the mistake he made… the inevitable doom that was sure to follow from the simple kiss.
This weekend was about his sister. His entire life! Everything he did was for her and until he knew that she was taken care of, he could not become distracted with anything else.
Even that felt like an excuse that was starting to wear thin. The same excuse he had been using for years now. When he first married Penelope, he had left not because he disliked her or wanted nothing to do with her, but because he did not think he could be married and look after his sister at the same time. He chose Barbara over himself, and not until last night had that singular excuse been called into question.
It has always been Barbara. My own happiness, my own future put on hold. But when Penelope’s lips touched my own, I felt… I felt as if I have missed out on something.
To admit that one has been wrong this whole time is no easy thing to do. And that was why Dorian struggled the way he was. Better to ignore that truth and carry on as he had been doing. Easier too.
The garden party was almost finished, and Dorian knew that he would not find the time today to speak with Penelope – another excuse he clung to. Tonight at the ball… how long could he avoid her for? Surely, they would need to talk sooner, rather than later? For the sake of the weekend, if nothing more.
Dorian did not fully understand himself or what he wanted. And for that reason, he had no idea what he might say to Penelope when he finally got the chance. A moment of divine inspiration was what he required or, barring that, a moment of bravery.
To finally stop lying to himself for a damn change. Deep down, he knew what he wanted. But to admit such a thing…No, I am not ready for that. Not by far.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“He’s looking at you again,” Penelope said, unable to keep herself from smiling.
