“Do I?” Charlotte arched an eyebrow towards him.
“I suspect my daughter is rather tired from our journey which while pleasant was rather long,” Lady Bellmore interjected, glancing between Charlotte and Dominic.
“Of course.” They drifted into an uncomfortable silence with Charlotte clearly not wanting to look him in the eyes. After a while, Dominic said, “You look wonderful by the way.”
“Thank you,” Charlotte replied, her tone distant.
“Those dresses you had made for her really are divine. They fit her perfectly. Truly, a most thoughtful gift. Do you not think so, Charlotte?” Lady Bellmore gave her daughter a sharp look.
“I have already told His Grace that I appreciate his generosity,” Charlotte replied.
“Well, it does not hurt to say so again.” Lady Bellmore smiled at him.
Dominic could sense troubled waters with Charlotte and her stepmother and decided that a swift change in subject would be in order. “And you are well, My Lady?”
“Of course, I am; why would I not be?” Charlotte snapped.
“Well, your Mother—” Dominic began, but Charlotte cut him off as she corrected, “Stepmother.”
“Stepmother,” he amended.Why do I feel as though I have put my hand in a hornet’s nest?“She said that you were tired from your journey.”
“I am. Though I imagine I am less tired than you with all your… socialising.” Charlotte smiled at him though he saw daggers in the expression.
He sensed a hidden barb beneath her words, but before he could say anything, he felt a touch on his arm.
“Might I join you?” Cecily peered around, smiling at everyone she could see.
My cousin’s patience has reached its limit it would seem.“Let me introduce you.” Dominic gestured to each of the women in turn and said, “This is Lady Charlotte Nettle and Lady Bellmore. Allow me to introduce you to my cousin, Lady Cecily Nightingale, daughter of the Earl of Rochdale.”
“Lady Nightingale, a pleasure to meet you,” Lady Bellmore replied curtsying.
“And you, Lady Bellmore.” Cecily returned the gesture.
“A pleasure to meet you.” Charlotte curtsied but Dominic could not quite read her expression.
“My cousin has agreed that I might sit by him at dinner, and I assume this means I will have the pleasure of your company as well?” Cecily glanced at both Charlotte and Lady Bellmore.
“I had been asked to dine sitting next to some of the other chaperones and will take my leave of you,” Lady Bellmore replied, giving Charlotte a significant look before departing.
“Shall we go in?” Dominic asked, gesturing towards the dining hall.
“Yes, I am absolutely famished!” Cecily nodded enthusiastically.
“I was just telling my cousin how displeased I was with him — after all, I cannot believe he did not tell me he was engaged!” Cecily exclaimed as they took their seats at one of the many tables in the great dining hall.
“He kept it a secret from us all, Cecily. Sly dog that he is!” a man’s voice called out.
Dominic turned to see one of the more distantly related cousins — Benjamin Alders fixing him with a stern look.
“As I have already explained to Cecily, I felt the announcement should be done properly and in person,” Dominic answered, trying to keep his voice calm and cool.
“It was such a surprise to me that I nearly choked on my own drink,” Benjamin said.
“My Cousin, the eternal bachelor, engaged! And bringing his intended to the Worthiness Battles,” Cecily’s sister, Georgiana chimed in.
“Grandmother has changed the name again?” Benjamin asked, sliding into a free seat at the table.
“That’s four.” Dominic murmured to Cecily, who giggled.
