“I love my sister and cousin Emmeline, but together, they can both be rather a lot. Besides, you had only just arrived, and you are far too polite to tell them to leave you alone.” Cecily laughed and gave him a knowing look.
Dominic could not help but return her smile. “In fairness, I was enjoying their company.”
“I am sure you were, just as I am sure you were itching to get to your rooms and unpack your things,” Cecily said.
“Well, how else was I supposed to change in time for dinner? Can you imagine what Grandmother would have said if I had dared appear unchanged?” Dominic shuddered.
His grandmother had once grabbed one of his cousins by his ear and marched him from the room because he had worn the wrong sort of tails for dinner. Though it had been funny, no one had dared repeat the faux pas.
“It does not bear thinking about. But do not pretend it was just for that that you wanted the escape. I know you wanted a few moments to yourself before everything descended into complete and utter madness,” Cecily said gesturing around them.
Dominic raised an eyebrow and jerked his head at the milling people around them.A castle may be large, but we are a rather large brood.“Descended? Are we not already there?”
“You know as well as I that the Inheritance Championship is going to make this madness practically tame,” Cecily replied airily.
“Has she changed the name again?” he asked.
“Yes. Cousin Thomas and I have a wager on how many times she changes the name before the games are over.” Cecily held up both hands. “My bet is seven. Thomas has guessed twenty-three but I think that is extravagant even by Grandmother’s standards. After all, how many names can she possibly come up with?”
“Well, we are at… three already?” Dominic counted them off on his fingers. “I will join your wager — I expect she will change the name thirteen times in total.”
“A rather unlucky number.” Cecily frowned.
“When has grandmother ever cared for luck? The woman would spit in the Devil’s face and laugh.” Dominic glanced around them, only slightly concerned his grandmother would overhear him.
“I doubt even he would mess with Grandmother.” Cecily was also looking around. “Though I confess, my desire to sit beside you was not entirely altruistic.”
“Was it not?” Dominic canted his head towards her.
“No,” she replied, a mischievous look in her eyes. “I wanted to hear more about your intended.”
“Well, I am sure you will meet her at dinner.” Dominic shrugged.
“I cannot believe you did not tell me you were engaged!” Cecily prodded him gently, and he could hear the hurt in her voice.
He scrambled to think of some plausible excuse that would not give the game away that would lessen his cousin’s hurt feelings. “I… It has been rather a long time since we have seen each other, and I did not want to write it in a letter. Engagements seem like that kind of thing one should tell someone in person, don’t you think?”
“I suppose. And I suppose I can forgive you. Where is your intended anyway?” Cecily glanced around them though in the milling crowd, it was hard to see anyone.
An excellent question.He glanced around for some sign of Charlotte, spotting her waiting in the entrance hall with her mother.The benefit of being tall.When their eyes met, she inclined her head towards him but did not quite smile.
“Let me speak to Charlotte a moment, and then I shall introduce you to each other.” Dominic slipped his arm out of Cecily’s grip.
“Fine, but you know patience is not one of my virtues,” Cecily pouted.
“I am all too aware of this fact, dear Cecily.” He grinned at her as he made his way to his fiancée and her stepmother.
He bowed low as he approached them, smiling at both women. “Lady Bellmore, Lady Charlotte. It is good to see you both.”
“And you, Your Grace.” Lady Bellmore replied, curtsying.
Charlotte said nothing but curtsied as well.
“How was your journey? I had thought I might greet you on your arrival, but we must have missed each other.” Dominic canted his head towards Charlotte.
“Or perhaps you were simply otherwise occupied, Your Grace. After all, I know it is rather hard to hold your attention,” Charlotte replied smoothly, and he thought he detected a hint of irritation in her voice.
“I am never too busy for you, my dear, as well you know,” Dominic replied.
