If anything, his smile broadened. “Yes, but until Fotherby is forty or married to a lady his mother approves of, all the funds are in trust. He’s on an allowance and a pretty small one if he’s to be believed. All she has to do is demand he rusticate.”
“Well, then,” Mama said, “when do you wish to approach Lady Fotherby?”
Dotty smiled ruefully. “I sent a note to Grandmamma asking her to do it. With the rest of the family arriving tomorrow, and the wedding the next day, I decided that was the best way to handle it.”
Papa leaned back against the chair cushions and chuckled. “You’re a devious puss, I’ll give you that. It’ll be interesting to hear the result.”
“I think,” Dom said, “I’ll take a look in at White’s tomorrow.”
Papa slapped his thigh and stood. “I think I’ll go with you, my boy.” He turned to Dom and lowered his brows. “Then we’ll stop in at Brooks’s and start your membership process.”
Silence fell and Dotty tightened her fingers around Dom’s hand.
He squeezed them in return. “Whatever you say, sir.”
* * *
When they arrived at the Pulteney, Dom was still a little dazed at Sir Henry’s proposal he join Brooks’s. There was a good chance he’d be rejected. Yet, while he and Matt had ridden back to Town, they’d begun working on legislation to help the poor. A matter that would not endear him to his own party in the least. It might be time for more changes. Still, he could worry about that when he returned from his wedding trip. Speaking of his honeymoon, he’d not had any time alone with Thea since he helped her into the carriage earlier that day. The moment they’d arrived home, she’d been spirited away to dress. He’d not even been allowed a kiss, and he wanted much more than that.
However, the Pulteney, which was the former home of the Marquis of Bath, was very large. Surely there must be somewhere he could be alone with her. And Dom didn’t care what anyone said. He had every intention of remaining next to her all evening.
His party was the first to arrive at the large salon set up as a drawing room. He glanced through the double doors leading to the dining room. A waiter handed them glasses of champagne as the duchess waved them over to a grouping of chairs and sofas. Matt and Grace accompanied by Charlotte, Louisa, and the Dowager Lady Worthington were announced not a quarter hour later. Lady Bellamny arrived with the ever elusive Lord Bellamny, a tall raw-boned man with red hair and a large smile. They were accompanied by a well turned out gentleman who looked to be in his mid-forties.
“I wonder how the devil he does it,” Dom said to Matt in a low voice as Lord Bellamny greeted the duchess.
“Does what?”
“Keeps his wife in line.”
Matt choked on his champagne. “He probably gave up the fight years ago.”
They were called over to greet the new arrivals, and Dom noticed that Lord Bellamny looked at his wife like the sun wouldn’t shine without her. Did Dom have the same expression on his face with Thea?
“And this is Viscount Wolverton.” Lady Bellamny smiled as she introduced the gentleman to the other ladies. “He’s been a friend for a long time, though he hardly ever comes to Town.”
“Well, my dear,” Lord Bellamny said, “you couldn’t be here so often if it wasn’t for his help.”
Dom, his attention caught by the quick, intense glances exchanged between the Dowager Lady Worthington and Lord Wolverton, missed Lady Bellamny’s repost, though it made everyone else chuckle.
The next to arrive were Lord and Lady Thornhill.
Frowning at her guests, the duchess announced, “The numbers are not even. Some of you gentlemen will have to escort two of the ladies.” She turned to Charlotte and Louisa. “I didn’t wish to give any of the young gentlemen the idea they were being singled out for you.”
Charlotte turned a becoming shade of red, while Louisa thanked the older woman.
Dom made his way back over to Thea. Each time he’d attempted to keep her by his side, someone drew her away. Soon the men were in one group and the women in another. Across the room, Dotty blushed charmingly. “What can they be discussing?”
“The ladies?” Lord Bellamny asked, then continued before Dom could answer. “You’re better off not knowing. It might embarrass you.”
“Indeed, my boy.” Sir Henry cracked a laugh. “There are some things about which we should not inquire.”
Dom glanced at Matt to find him staring at Wolverton who seemed to have a hard time tearing his gaze from Matt’s stepmother. “I wonder what that’s about.”
“I don’t know, but I’ll find out.”
When the duchess’s personal butler called them for dinner, Matt strode to Grace and was about to offer his stepmother his other arm when Wolverton beat him to it.
As the highest ranking man, Dom made his way to the duchess, but she waved him away. “Go find Thea. We are sitting informally this evening.”
