Dylan shook his head. “I’m not on easy terms with either of them. But I would like to invite Basingstoke.”
Dylan’s request startled her. She hadn’t realized Dylan and the Earl of Basingstoke were such good friends.
“I suppose that will be all right.” The duke steepled his fingertips and looked around the small gathering. “Is there anything else we need to discuss?”
“There is one more thing.” Dylan cleared his throat, and Natalia felt his sudden tension.
“Well, speak up.” The duke’s tone made it more than obvious he didn’t want to hear any more surprises today.
A servant entered the room with the second course, but the duke waved him away. “Give us a few more minutes,” he instructed sharply. “We haven’t even finished our soup.”
Dylan waited until the servant left and turned to Natalia. “I recently found out I inherited a small estate in Scotland. I have no idea what shape it’s in, but I plan to make Aldabaran my home.”
“Out of the question,” the duke thundered. “I won’t allow you to drag my daughter off to some rotting castle in the middle of bloody Scotland.”
Dylan flicked the duke an annoyed glance, then returned his attention to Natalia. “It’s beautiful there. Quiet and peaceful.”
Natalia was taken aback by the passion and sincerity in his voice.
“I’ve had enough of London. I think you have, too. But I wanted you to know my plans. There’s still time for you to change your mind. If you don’t think you’ll be happy living a quiet country life, you should tell me now.”
He wanted to take her to Scotland. To a quiet peaceful place that meant a great deal to him. His offer sounded wonderful but confused Natalia more than ever. That kind of life did not require a fortune like the one she possessed.
When had he found out about this estate? She wanted to ask him but decided to leave the question for another time. When they did not have an audience. “Scotland sounds wonderful. And if we go there, we’ll be able to escape all the gossip. Perhaps thetonwill find some other scandal to savor, once we’re no longer around.”
The duke perked up a bit at that. “Perhaps you’re right.”
“You will bring her back to visit us from time to time, won’t you, Captain Blake?” Clarice sounded forlorn. For the first time, Natalia realized her marriage would forever alter her close relationship with Clarice.
Even if she remained in London, they’d no longer share a home and wouldn’t see each other on a daily basis. What would she do when she couldn’t turn to Clarice with all her troubles and triumphs?
“Of course, I’ll bring her to visit,” Dylan agreed. “As often as she likes.”
“Then it seems as though everything is settled.” The duke lifted his wine glass with obvious satisfaction. “Let us drink to a longfruitfulmarriage.”
His emphasis on the wordfruitfuldid nothing to calm Natalia’s fears. Was this the reason for her father’s good cheer? Did he hope she’d start popping out children within the first year?Dear lord.The mere thought of what that would entail made her weak in the knees. She wasn’t ready. She wasn’t ready for any of this.
Dylan cleared his throat, and she realized she was the only one who hadn’t lifted her glass.
“Sorry,” she muttered and awkwardly joined the toast.
Four crystal glasses clinked musically together, sealing her fate.
Chapter Fifteen
After leaving the duke’s estate, Dylan headed for the Earl of Basingstoke’s residence. He was in dire need of someone to talk to and hoped his friend hadn’t already gone out for the evening.
He and Julian had been friends since they’d met in boarding school, and once Dylan told him the way of things, Basingstoke could be counted upon to act with discretion. Dylan didn’t want thetonto learn about the wedding and descend upon them like buzzards scenting a fresh kill.
He arrived at his friend’s huge Georgian townhouse just as evening blanketed the city. The butler opened the door promptly, and he gave the man his card.
Fortunately, Basingstoke was still at home.
The butler showed Dylan into Julian’s walnut-paneled office and disappeared to fetch the master of the house. Dylan sank into a stiff leather chair to wait. He shook his head as he took in the newly redecorated nautical theme of the room. Julian yearned for adventure, but his many business interests kept him firmly anchored in London.
Basingstoke broke into a wide grin when he entered the room. “Blake! What on earth are you doing here? Have you run out of virgins to despoil?”
Dylan sighed and raked his hands through his hair in dismay. “Not you, too.”
