He was quiet for a moment. “I used to wish for other children in the house.”
The music came to a stop and so did her heart. “You are an only child?”
“Yes, my father died when I was very young.” He placed her hand on his arm, but when he glanced at her, his eyes had a bleakness she’d not seen before. “Do you miss your family?”
She searched for something to say to lighten his mood. “I did not until this evening when the younger girls came down to look at Charlotte, Louisa, and me before we went out. I wished my sisters were there as well. Mama, too.”
“Perhaps your mother can come to Town.”
“She broke her leg. That is the reason I am staying with Charlotte. I suppose she could come after it has healed, but Stanwood House is so full of people as it is, and Papa let the house we were going to lease go.”
Finally he smiled again. “I think that is probably a vast understatement. I do not know where Worthington and Grace put them.”
When she looked up, their eyes met. Dom’s hand on her waist tightened. Suddenly, she did not want to find another lady to marry him, but did he feel the same way? And what was she to do about his views? Not to mention what her friends thought of him. She stifled a sigh. She had not even been in Town a month and already things were in a muddle. Could one retrain a marquis and if so, how would one go about it?
“Fortunately, most of them are in the schoolroom.”
“There is that.”
Dom inhaled sharply as Thea’s warm gaze captured him. A rush of longing came over him as he held her. If he didn’t stop, he’d do something stupid and likely to cause a scene. Not for the first time he considered Worthington’s advice. Dom should leave Town and let Thea get on with finding a husband. Then he would be free of her spell. But for now, he’d savor the feel of her lush curves and inhale her light lemony scent.
He tried to ignore the part of him urging him to carry her away and make her his forever. He could not allow desire to override his duty to his family and dependents. After the set ended and he escorted her back to Grace, Dom vowed to stay away from Thea, no matter what it took. As soon as he was able, he left the ball. If only he didn’t care for her so much.
* * *
Rising early the next morning, he determined to get his life back on course and went to White’s for breakfast. He sat in one of the club’s large leather chairs with theGazetteopened, ostensibly reading it, even though he hadn’t turned the page, when someone tapped his shoulder. Putting the paper down, he glanced up.
“Thought I had your schedule down to the minute,” Fotherby said tightly. “But I haven’t seen you around here much. Wouldn’t have to do with that Miss Stern, would it?”
Dom’s blood began to rise at the way Fotherby spat her name. Lately, he’d been more of an irritant than a friend. Who Dom kept company with was none of Fotherby’s business, and, furthermore, even if Dom could not marry her, he didn’t like the way the man treated Thea.
Carefully folding the newssheet, he bit back the retort he was about to make. “My mother’s in Town. When she is here, I must spend time with her.”
“Yes, of course, I’d forgotten.” Fotherby’s tone was contrite, and he paused for a moment, contemplating one of his many fobs. “Didn’t see you at Lady Aliesbury’s ball last night either.”
Where the devil was the man headed with this? Dom kept a rein on his rapidly fraying temper. “I allow my mother to select the entertainments she wishes to attend. She only chooses one each evening.”
Fotherby let out a huff of air. “That explains why you were at Featherington’s ball. I told Alvanley it had nothing to do with that young woman.”
In a cold tone, calculated to suppress further discussion, Dom asked, “Do you have a point to make, Fotherby?”
Apparently taking the question as permission to continue, Fotherby nodded. “Alvanley, Petersham, and me, we’re your friends, Merton, and we don’t want you to make a mistake. That female.” He paused. “Well, she was seen at Lady Thornhill’s house.”
He’d been focused on a spot over Dom’s left shoulder, but now glanced at him. He carefully schooled his countenance. If his friend was hoping to see a reaction, he’d be disappointed.
“It’s just that”—Fotherby swallowed—“Lady Thornhill, you know.”
Dom did know about the Thornhills, a Radical couple interested in promoting liberal ideas and the arts. It came as no surprise to him Grace would have taken her charges there. “Miss Sternisresiding with Worthington.”
“Of course, that must be the reason.” Fotherby nodded, but didn’t move away.
He knew Dom hated to be interrupted reading the paper. Trying not to grit his teeth, he asked, “What is it?”
“You marrying her wouldn’t do. There are plenty of young ladies—”
“Enough!”He slammed his hand on the arm of the chair. “I am perfectly capable of choosing my own wife, without assistance from you or anyone else.”
Fotherby stiffened, and gave a slight bow. “As you say. I shall leave you to your reading.”
