“Good morning, Mr. Ashbourne.” Dominic said. Politeness was ever the best tactic. “How do you do?”
“How many times have you met my sister?”
There were three gentlemen standing behind Lucien who watched with amusement and nearly empty glasses in hand. One of them carried a decanter, most likely from a room that it was not meant to leave. No one appeared to entertain the idea of returning it, telling Dominic many things all at once.
His gaze returned to Lucien as he evaded the question. “I can hardly understand the intention of such a question. Isn’t it early for riddles?”
Lucien pursed his lips like he was holding back a laugh. “It’s never early for a good jest. Which is why I laughed when my brother told me who our dearly beloved Verity was going to marry. Then I saw the newspaper announcement. Have you met my sister enough times to know you wish to spend the rest of your life with her?”
“Aren’t these questions better suited to asking your sister?”
Judging by the young man’s dismissive snort, Dominic had to assume Lucien had indeed asked Verity. And Verity had not given him the answers he desired.
“Do you even like her?” The question was blurted out so suddenly that it surprised them both. Lucien’s widened eyes quickly drooped to be heavy lidded like it never happened.
Except the silence between them said otherwise.
Dominic debated answer before finally saying, “Perhaps this is a conversation to have in another place at another time. This afternoon, perhaps, in two hours’ time?”
“Why?”
“Why this afternoon?”
“Why,” Lucien sounded out slowly, “Are you marrying her? Why would you marry Verity?”
Because your brother insisted on it. Because your brother and I have agreed to take a secret to our graves, bringing Verity in the middle of it. Because she is a sacrificial lamb and has accepted to be the offering. Because she appears well-suited to being a duchess and wife. Because she is observant and clever and confident. Because I need a wife. Because I need her.
Several thoughts flooded Dominic’s mind as he fought to push them away. His pulse picked up while he forced a deep breath.
Finally, he replied, “This is hardly your business. So long as your sister has accepted my suit, I believe this is best for all of us moving forward. Should we not all be gentlemen and ladies of our word?”
The other fellows shared shrugs with each other while Lucien stared him down like he was trying to better understand Dominic’s face. Perhaps the slightest crick in his nose. The color of his eyes. His too-long jaw.
“Very well. By all accounts, you are rich, and I am told you are a fair gentleman. I expect you will treat my sister well just as she deserves: a lady,” Lucien said emphatically.
“Certainly.”
“Oh. Good.” Lucien rocked back on his heals. “And the family?”
Dominic’s brow furrowed over that. “What family?”
“You’ll be part of our family,” the young man’s eyes lit up as he went on. “Say, I heard you have a place in Brookeshire, do you not? With all the quail? You’ll be a good brother to invite us out sometime, yes?”
He didn’t often go to the Brookeshire estate. It had been in his family for the last three years, a large hunting lodge in a corner of England where game still thrived. Dominic found it too distracting and would have sold it off long ago had he not several fond memories of being a child there with his mother in days yonder.
“I suppose,” he started to answer without thinking.
“Splendid! We’ll be certain to come there for a weekend or two, I think, a month if you’ll have us all. The girls won’t hunt, of course, but they do love games. What a fine host you shall be. Very good, Your Grace. We’ll be seeing you.”
Before Dominic could confirm what he had agreed to, Lucien was strolling off with his fellows close behind him. Dominic closed his mouth. It didn’t seem possibly his future family was inviting themselves to his properties. That was a rather entitled perspective.
The young gentlemen disappeared.
Dominic soon took his leave so he arrived at the Ashbourne house right on time to find the door opening before he reached the top step.
A servant appeared. “Good afternoon, Your Grace.” He bowed politely before taking the cloak and hat from him. “Right this way to the drawing room, if you please.”
Everything in the hall appeared exactly the same. This time, Dominic was led up the first set of stairs to the next landing. Brought to the first door on the right, he noted the beautiful room and mismatched furniture.
