“Nor would I. Perhaps if she was my size I would.” Dominic winked at Lady Bellmore. “Though I do not relish the thought of being chased through the streets by an angry woman with a saucepan.”
“Best you hide all the kitchen implements from my sister then,” Lady Evelyn said, giggling as she ducked out of Charlotte’s reach.
“Evelyn!” Charlotte glowered at her sister.
“Or hope that you never get her angry at the very least,” Lady Philippa added in a stage whisper.
“I shall do my very best on both accounts.” Dominic replied. He caught Charlotte’s sister Evelyn sticking her tongue out at her and forced himself not to laugh.
“But let us return to the story.” Lady Bellmore leaned forward, clearly eager to hear more. “What happened after the Baron had been chased?”
“Of course, once the Baron was of sound enough mind, he thought the whole ordeal rather amusing. In fact, he went to the woman the next day to apologise, and well, one thing led to another… And that is how the Baron found himself a wife.”
The table erupted into laughter, or at least most of the table did. Out of the corner of his eye, Dominic noted Charlotte frowning at him.
“She sounds like quite the spitfire,” Evelyn commented, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.
“She is,” Dominic agreed.
“I am sure marriage will have tempered her temper somewhat,” Lady Bellmore said, and Dominic caught her glance at Charlotte as she said this.
“Oh no, it has done nothing of the sort,” Dominic explained. “If anything, she is more tempestuous than ever before, and the Baron loves her all the more for it.”
“Some men prefer a little fight in their women.” Charlotte smiled at Lady Bellmore, and an unreadable look passed between them.
“It would appear so; after all, the Duke has asked you to marry him.” Lady Bellmore smiled at her daughter before turning and inclining her head towards Dominic.
“I have always preferred women who can hold their own,” Dominic replied, grinning in as charming a way as he could manage. “After all, a woman with a strong personality and a good mind is far better company to spend the rest of your life with.”
“You see, mother, men don’t all want some delicate little wallflower.” Charlotte folded her arms across her chest, looking self-satisfied.
“I never said that all men wanted that. Simply that many can find a strong personality somewhat off-putting.” Lady Bellmore gestured around them, looking at Dominic for support.
Dominic caught sight of Charlotte and knew he needed to keep both her and her mother on his side. The only question was how. “Well, I personally do not. I like a little… spice in my life. I am sure the Earl would agree, wouldn’t you, sir?”
“Of course. My wife’s spirit is what won my heart.” The Earl reached across and took his wife’s hand in his, gently brushing it with his lips. “Her will is like a sea in storm, and any sane man would bow before it.”
“Oh, John.” Lady Bellmore’s expression softened as she looked at her husband, and Dominic realised that the two were still besotted with each other.
An odd emotion stirred in his chest, and memories of a woman with his hair and eyes threatened to swim to the forefront of his mind. The image of her crying. Of finding her…No, I will not think of her now.
Dominic shook his head and looked at the Earl. “Truly, there is something to be said for the attractiveness of tenacious women. So allow me to propose a toast to tenacious women.”
The Earl laughed. “To tenacious women.”
“May their light ever burn bright.” Dominic raised his glass, clinked it with the others, and then drank.
As they finished their toast, and Dominic sensed a relaxed atmosphere to the table, he decided that it would be a good time to broach the subject of Charlotte joining him at the Caverton Estate.
“Lord and Lady Bellmore, I fear I must ask you a favour.” Dominic schooled his features into a serious but earnest expression.
“A favour? How intriguing.” Lady Bellmore steepled her fingers together and leaned towards him, her chin resting on her hands.
“My grandmother has invited the family to the Caverton Estate, and I thought that this would be a most excellent time to introduce them to Charlotte.” Dominic managed not to stumble over his fake fiancée’s Christian name, even though using it felt overly familiar.
“And when is this gathering?” Lady Bellmore asked.
“In a fortnight,” Dominic replied.
