Page 25 of Defending the Duke (The St. Clairs 4)

Retta grinned. “You wouldn’t know it, my lady. You look every inch a St. Clair.”

The maid’s words gave her a confidence that she’d lacked until now. With her head held high, Laurel left her bedchamber and descended to the next floor. She went to the ballroom, which had been decorated like a forest. Rachel had a heavy hand in the design and had transformed the room. Her sister now flitted from place to place, rearranging the vines on a plant and nudging a flowerpot into place.

Laurel joined her. “This is a wonderland, Rachel. I would think I’m outdoors.”

“That’s the effect I was hoping for.” Rachel hugged her. “I’m glad you approve. You look so lovely. Did you receive many bouquets today?”

“Too many to count. And from men I either don’t remember meeting or didn’t meet at all.”

“Has Jeremy complained overmuch?”

She laughed. “He did a little bit. I think it was all for show.”

Rachel slipped her arm through Laurel’s. “I agree. He enjoys playing the protective big brother. You and Hudson arriving has given him a chance to increase his role.”

They left the ballroom and Rachel and Catherine began talking about their children. Rachel’s husband, Lord Merrick, drew her aside.

“How was your firsttonevent?” he asked.

“I enjoyed the dancing quite a bit. I did meet some nice people.”

“But not all were kind?” he asked, his blue eyes intense.

Laurel shrugged. “I was warned there would be some gossip.”

“There’s always gossip. People invent stories left and right from sheer boredom.” He took her hand and squeezed it. “I’m not much for being social but I have learned that you must ignore what the gossips say. About you or anyone else. I have been the subject of their interest, some of it deserved. Still, know that you have a loving family surrounding you, myself included. You will make good friends. The right man is waiting for you. Don’t rush to find him. When the time is right, you’ll be drawn to one another.”

“As you were to Rachel? She said fate brought you together.”

Merrick smiled. “I fought my attraction to her like the dickens. Even shoved her away as hard as I could. But I never stopped thinking about her—or loving her. Thank God I saw the error of my ways and she loved me enough to accept me as I am. Rachel saved me in more ways than I can ever say. She is my everything.”

It touched Laurel to see how much Rachel was loved by this man.

Merrick released her hand. “Love will come, Laurel. Be open to it.”

“I’m not looking for love,” she revealed. “I know it’s not the St. Clair way. I do hope to find a husband who will be kind to me and our children and accept me for who I am, despite my humble background.”

Before he could reply, Jeremy joined them. “We need to create our receiving line. Barton tells me the first guests are arriving.”

“I wish Luke and Caroline were here,” Catherine said as they formed a line. “I’m so used to having them with us.”

“Caroline is happy at Fairhaven, eating macaroons and walking barefoot in the grass,” Jeremy replied. “I wish we could be doing the same, Duchess.”

“Oh, Duke, quit grumbling. Put on your hosting smile. If you’re well-behaved and pleasant to everyone tonight, I have a surprise waiting for you.” Catherine’s eyes gleamed with mischief.

A broad smile filled her brother’s face. “I’m always eager to discover what surprise my duchess has for me. Hopefully, it includes being naked in bed—with you equally naked—when I receive it.”

“Jeremy St. Clair! You are insufferable,” his wife declared.

The first guests reached the top of the staircase at that moment and Laurel stifled her laughter, along with the others. Her brother could say some outrageous things at times. He also did a few outrageous things, as well. Laurel had stumbled upon him kissing Catherine numerous times since she’d moved into the Everton townhome. She’d learned to quietly slip from the room and leave them alone.

Something tugged at her heart. Did she really want a loveless marriage? Jeremy and Rachel—Luke, too—seemed so satisfied in their marriages. They were playful and loving with their spouses. Could she be wrong to deliberately avoid love?

Laurel supposed time would tell. She also knew that physical attraction could be experienced without love playing a role at all. She pushed aside these thoughts and determined she would enjoy this ball in her honor.

After half an hour, she’d met more people than a person could ever know. It would take her twenty Seasons to learn all their names and titles. She was grateful when Lady Constance and Lady Hannah reached her.

“It’s good to see you,” she said, glancing down the line, curious why the Duke of Linfield did not accompany them.

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