“Pray, do not be a curmudgeon, Henry, my dear. Merely because I am besting you all does not imply that I am resorting to foul play.”
William chuckled at that, enjoying the surly expressions on his brothers’ faces. He wasn’t entirely sure how Katherine had managed to slip away from the ladies in the drawing room – they were much more alert than the cigar-and-brandy addled gentlemen in the dining room – but slip away she had. And she was in the company of her brothers so no gossip would arise. They had been playing for about twenty minutes now, and William could feel some of the day’s anxiety melting away.
Why couldn’t it always be like this between them?
“The Bainbridges aren’t pleased with you, Will,” Katherine said suddenly, breaking the silence.
William blinked at his sister. “What? Why? What have I done?”
Alexander winced. “You were always so obtuse, Will. No offence.”
“You danced the waltz, of all dances, withLavinia Brookford, and then you escorted her into the additional light supper right afterwards,” Katherine commented, lifting an eyebrow.
“May I not choose with whom I shall dance, and whom I shall graciously accompany to supper?”
His sister looked at him as if he were a simpleton. “No, of course not. You’re the Duke, and their host but you should have chosen somebody else.”
“Like Miss Bainbridge,” Alexander put in. “They were expecting you to escort her into that additional light supper and were rather offended that it was Miss Brookford.”
William felt an uncharacteristic surge of anger. He took his time in responding, lining up his next shot. The billiard balls clicked. He missed.
“And why,” he said, as coolly as he could manage, “are the Bainbridges’ expectations my responsibility?”
Alexander and Katherine glanced at each other. “Because they believe you’re pursuing Miss Bainbridge. You speak to her at every event, she’s been invited here, you often dance together, and of course you’re a perfect match.” Katherine said, speaking slowly. “The Bainbridges aren’t penniless little fortune-hunters. They have a great deal of power, and they expect all courtesies. If you aren’t pursuing Miss Bainbridge, you ought to make that clear now.”
“I didn’t say that I wasn’t considering her as my duchess,” William muttered. “I wasn’t aware that Society had us married already.”
Lies. It was a lie. Now would be the time to tell his siblings about his agreement with Miss Bainbridge. He willed himself to speak, but it seemed that his lips were sealed closed. Dropping his hand into his pocket, he felt a pang of loss to discover the pocket empty, the silver locket left safely in a drawer on his desk.
Alexander stepped forward to take his turn. “Really, what did you think was going to happen, brother?”
“I for one think that this is shocking,” Henry spoke up. He was perched on the window seat, resting his chin on the top of his billiard cue, face black as thunder. “Why should William be forced into matrimony just because she’s suitable? I’m sure that Miss Bainbridge is a pleasant young woman, and if William likes her, I’ll happily welcome her as my sister-in-law. But it must behischoice. His and hers, and no one else’s.”
“Thank you, Henry. I am glad thatsomeoneis on my side.”
Katherine chuckled. “Perhaps if Henry could get off his high horse and take his turn, the game might progress.”
Henry rolled his eyes at that, jumping down from the window seat.
“We have all, indeed, united in matrimony for the sake of love," he remarked, preparing to take his aim. "I never imagined it would come to pass for me, yet here I stand. We three find ourselves exceedingly content, do we not? Why should not William be afforded the same opportunity?
“Because,” Alexander said, leaning forward, “the deadline is only a handful of months away, and the Season is winding down. The pinnacle of the Season has come and gone, and we’ve retreated to Bath. William has to marry this year – and I say hehasto marry, because he is the one who has the estate to look after. It’s vital that he marries, and soon. Miss Bainbridge is a suitable choice.”
“I don’t like her,” Henry announced, straightening up. “She’s too conniving for my liking. She knows her worth and the worth of everyone around her and treats them accordingly.”
“And is that a flaw?” Katherine shot back. “Clever women are a rarity in our Society.”
Before he knew what he was doing, William was speaking.
“Miss Brookford is a clever woman.”
His siblings went quiet, glancing at each other and then at him.
“You have a fancy for Miss Brookford, then?” Alexander said carefully. “The older one, not Miss Gillian?”
“Of course the older one,” Katherine huffed. “She was the one he waltzed with and escorted into supper.”
“I don’t have afancyfor anyone,” William shot back. “She was pleasant company. She likes horse riding.”
