Page 65 of Manufacturing a Duchess

“Another, cousin?” Alec’s question roused him from the rabbit hole he had cast himself down.

“Oh, no. This is sufficient for now. If you don’t mind my saying so, this is a decidedly fine glass of whisky.”

“I am so glad you appreciate it, Your Grace. In addition to his books, my late husband’s cellar was an indulgence he took great pride in. He cultivated his palate with the same intensity and seriousness that he applied to all his endeavors.” Mrs. Hardcastle spoke with both pride and wistfulness. She had clearly gained confidence dealing with members of the Ton since Finn had first met her at that painful visit nearly a year prior. Her firm, gentle care and solicitude of her husband was something he had remarked on at that time: no pretense or performance, simply a consideration which did her and her family a great credit. He could see where Aurora derived some of those qualities.

Moore the butler took this moment to enter and announce that dinner was served. Finn moved immediately to Mrs. Hardcastle to offer her his arm to escort her into the dining room. Marjorie followed in their wake. Finn turned briefly at the door to see Alec walk up to Aurora, take her arm, and give her the lightest, lingering kiss. Aurora’s mouth leaned into his, and Finn abruptly withdrew his gaze. Again. That lurch happened once more in his belly. Envy. A wish. A sudden ache of loss for what he had not yet found.

He turned to look at Mrs. Hardcastle as they stepped into the dining room. She was observing him, but there was no criticism. A brief moment of appraisal, then she gently patted his arm and directed him to lead her to her seat.

The talk around the table was relaxed and filled with humor. All too soon, however, dinner ended, Mrs. Hardcastle had retired to her room, and Aurora had taken Marjorie up for bed. “I shall see you shortly, imp,” was all her father said. Then, stepping to the sideboard, he poured a glass of port for Finn and for himself. With both men suitably equipped, Alec led him out into the garden which ran along the back of the house.

The night air was pleasantly cool, but not too cold. Summer was creeping in. Finn could hear a nightingale calling from a tree a few yards distant, which was suddenly silenced as the shadow of an owl flew over the lawn. He took a sip of the port, letting out a contented sigh as it wended its way down his throat.

“I could get used to this, Alec.”

“It is rather wonderful, isn’t it? I know these are early days. And life is, as we know, eternally far from perfect. But it is a wonderful beginning. I feel as if my daughter is safe. Secure.”

“She was that before.”

“Well, yes and no. She had a Papa with barely two groats to rub together.”

“But it is not all about Marjorie.”

“No, it is most deucedly not.” Alec paused. Finn watched his cousin’s ears turn pink. “It most deucedly is not,” he repeated.

“I am happy for you, cousin. More than I could say.”

“I am most grateful that you will stand up with me on Sunday, Finn. You are, in all the ways it is possible to be, my brother. And my best friend. We have seen some adventures, have we not?”

“We have indeed.”

“It feels as if my adventures are to be a bit more prosaic in the future. Not quite the derring-do of the romances I devoured growing up. But—right now? I am content.”

“My mama tells me repeatedly that this was the match she had chosen for you and how, for once in your life, you followed her advice. She is inordinately proud of herself.”

Alec chuckled. “I am sorry your Mama is unwell and cannot be here. Truth to tell, I can’t deny she said to me, ‘You could do worse, Alec,’ that night at the recital where I met Aurora for the first time. Then, when I realized Aurora knew and appreciated music and might be more than simply a young simpering miss whom I was obliged to set my cap at, as it were—Yes, she was right on this occasion.”

“I shall most definitely not tell her. She will become unbearable, and I will not be able to occupy the same residence as her.” A pause. “You have always been a dreadful idealist.”

“True. True. Though I never imagined that the knowledge of Greek would prove to be an exemplary trait in a future match.”

“I recall my shock that night at the supper.”

“A bluestocking!”

Both men laughed.

“When I first took Aurora up to Scotland, to visit Selkirk—” Alec stopped, then started again. “Well, we were handfasted when we were there.”

Finn said nothing, and watched his cousin’s face turn to a decided shade of red.

“I don’t know as it was necessary, but I felt, well, that it was the honorable thing to do.”

“You know,” said Finn, “I don’t think the members of the Ton would necessarily believe it to be a requirement, as you were betrothed.”

“Well, I did.” A pause. And then, “I wanted her to know what it would be like, being with me, the nightmares, the war—” his words trailed off.

Finn found his heart cracking open. “How did she react? To the nightmares?”