Page 11 of Dubious about the Duke (Second Sons of London 5)

The duke’s gaze met hers. “Only the fun ones.” Then he burst out laughing again.

Sera’s blush spread down her neck and up to her roots. “I don’t suppose I will ever be given a nickname then. I am not someone others enjoy being around.”

“Don’t say that,” Minta said fiercely, sticking up for her twin as she had many times over the years. “You are fun around me. And you will laugh with the Three Cousins. They all should be at the house party.”

“What is a house party?” she asked.

“Oh, you don’t know, do you?” her sister said. “I wrote you a few letters but I suppose they arrived too late for you to see them. Owen and Louisa—Lord and Lady Danbury—are giving a house party at the end of the Season. I thought it would be the perfect way to introduce you to our friends and have you mingle in Polite Society a bit without being overwhelmed at the first ball next Season.”

“It is a time when a group of people come together at a country estate for a week or two,” Percy added. “There are all kinds of games and entertainment. This way, you can meet our friends and grow comfortable being with them. By the time you enter thetonnext spring, you will have a group of friends to help launch you. They are some of the most powerful women in Polite Society.”

Panic filled her at the thought of attending an event such as this.

“Who will be there?” she asked, her voice going hoarse.

“The Second Sons and their wives. They will gather in advance so we can have time together. Then a small group of ladies and gentlemen will arrive.” Minta looked at her worriedly. “Perhaps we can have you meet each couple separately so that you will be acquainted with them before the house party begins.”

“You can go without me,” Sera said shakily, knowing going to an event such as this would be painful and awkward. “I will return to town and spend that time with Uncle West and Aunt Phyllis while you are there.”

“Sera, this will be good for you,” her twin said cautiously. “It is the ideal way to meet others in a more intimate gathering so that you won’t be overwhelmed when the Season begins next year.”

Stubbornness set in. “You cannot make me go, Minta. I am a grown woman of two and twenty.”

“I know how old you are. I am several minutes your elder,” snapped her sister. Then Minta’s tone softened. “Please come, Sera. It will be so much fun. You will like the Three Cousins. They are eager to meet you because I have spoken of you so often to them.”

Hating to admit this, especially since she felt the duke’s intense gaze upon her, she said, “I am not fun, especially in large groups, and you know this, Minta. You know I prefer solitary activities. Gardening. Reading. Walking. Playing my violin. I would rather not go to a party which runs for so long. Perhaps I can meet your friends another time.”

“If Miss Nicholls isn’t going, then neither I am,” stated the duke.

She turned to face him. “What?”

“I told you I haven’t attended a singletonevent, Miss Nicholls. Owen and Louisa talked me into going to this house party. Adalyn, Ev’s wife, is a bit of a matchmaker and has plans to pair me with someone during it. She says house parties are a wonderful way to get to know others since you are around one another for an extended amount of time and can actually have a conversation. I gathertonevents are loud and many of them involve dancing, which is not conducive for learning much about anyone.”

His brows arched. “I hate to disappoint my friends but I was hoping we could attend this party together since neither of us knows anyone else in theton. I could use a friendly face.”

“But you will have all the Second Sons and their wives there. You know them,” she protested.

“None of them are in the unique position that you and I are, however, in that we know no one else. I would rather do this together, Miss Nicholls, but if you are refusing to go, I will bow out myself. Adalyn can find a wife for me next year. Or the next.”

Exasperation filled her. “Your attendance should not hinge upon mine, Your Grace.”

“It does,” he said, stubbornness settling in his eyes. “And I am in need of a duchess. I thought finding one at this house party would be easier. Then I wouldn’t even have to attend the Season next year if I chose not to.”

He eyed her steadily. “So, what do you say, Miss Nicholls? Shall we storm this house party together—or will you force me to wait until next spring to find my duchess?”

Guilt filled her. She didn’t want him to skip the event simply because she wanted to do so. And in truth, it would be a decent way to meet a handful of people and not be dazed when she entered a ballroom next year.

Minta gave her an encouraging smile. “Just think, Sera. You also might find someone you care for at this party. Many people leave a house party betrothed. Please, say you’ll come.”

She glanced toward Percy, the only one who had remained silent during this exchange. “Do you have anything to add?”

“Only that the only time I am truly relaxed in the company of others, it is when I am with the Second Sons and their wives. They are a wonderful, loyal, steadfast group. It would do you good to befriend them, Sera. Besides, Adalyn is a genius at pairing couples together. Why not give her—and this house party—a chance?”

Sera looked at her sister and then to the duke, her heart pounding.

“All right. I will attend. But I don’t want to be forced into making a match with anyone.”

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