Page 17 of The Duke’s Matchmaker

Nathaniel closed his eyes briefly, doing his best to collect himself.

Perhaps he had never been the right man for this task. Perhaps he didn’t have what it took to bring up a little boy. Certainly, he couldn’t do it on his own—they were going to have to find a mother for Colin, and quickly. But maybe even that wouldn’t be enough. He couldn’t help feeling at times like this that the boy wanted nothing to do with him, and maybe he was right to feel that way.

Everything will be better once I marry. Once I find the perfect lady to help me raise Colin.

But right now, after the day he had spent with Dorothy walking around, looking at ladies and hearing her explanations for why all of them were wrong for his purposes, he felt farther away from that goal than ever before. And as he looked at the little boy lying on the bed in front of him, he was filled with despair.

If I can’t be what he needs, that means I was wrong to take him in—and yet, I just don’t know what else I could have done. I don’t know what other choice I ever had than to try to be the family he needs.

After all, he has no one else.

CHAPTER 9

“Oh, look, Dorothy! There’s the Duke of Henshaw! Go to him at once; I am convinced he has been watching for you!”

Dorothy waved Abigail off. Her sister was right, of course. She did need to go over and speak to Nathaniel, to make sure the two of them had some time to confer with one another at this party. It was the Earl of Penhurst’s annual dinner party, and it would be a perfect opportunity for Nathaniel to look out for potential brides. Everyone here would be doing the same thing.

Well, everyone but me. But no one expects me to find myself a husband anymore. Everyone knows that I’m committed to spinsterhood.

Everyone except her sisters, that was. They hadn’t stopped talking about the potential for a marriage between Dorothy and Nathaniel. They seemed to believe the whole thing was as good as decided.

“After all,” Honora had pointed out on the carriage ride over tonight, “your closest friends are married to his closest friends. It couldn’t be more perfect, could it? That might be the reason he noticed you in the first place—which isn’t to say that he doesn’t recognize all your charms, of course, Dorothy. I’m sure he wouldn’t be paying you such attention as he has been if he hadn’t come to see how lovely you are.”

That thought was in Dorothy’s head now as she moved away from her sisters and toward Nathaniel. By associating with him, she was only feeding the flames of her sisters’ misunderstanding. She was allowing them to believe even more firmly that there was something between Nathaniel and herself, something that might develop into marriage. It was irresponsible of her to allow things to go on like this.

And yet, she had pledged to help Nathaniel. And if it was true that he had a child, particularly one nobody knew about, he would need all the help he could get.

She sighed and approached him. He was dressed well for the occasion, in rich, dark blue fabrics cut to the latest style. As he noticed her, he smiled, and Dorothy couldn’t help smiling in return. She was conflicted about what they were doing, and yet it was enjoyable to spend time with Nathaniel.

“You look lovely today,” he said as she drew near.

She glanced down. She was wearing a gown that had once belonged to Honora. It was nothing special, and it was several years out of fashion, though she did like the way the blue color matched her eyes. He was probably just being kind, she decided. He would know that it was to his advantage to make sure the two of them were getting along well with one another. “Thank you,” she said. “You look very nice as well.”

He waved her off in the direction of a corner that was a little more secluded. After a moment’s pause, she followed him over. People would see them talking to one another, but that was inevitable if they were going to start spending more time in each other’s company. They would have to get used to making excuses for that sort of thing.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said, his voice low. “We won’t be seated together at this dinner.”

“Unlikely,” she agreed. “After all, there are so many people here. But that’s a good thing. You don’t want to spend the whole day talking to me. You’re supposed to be associating with ladies you might want to court, not with me.”

“I know,” he agreed. “But how will I know if I’m talking to the right ones? That’s what I need you for, to point out when I’m going wrong.”

She bit her lip. On one hand, he was going to have to learn to do this for himself eventually. But maybe it was too soon to expect him to manage without her.

“You don’t think that you could spend the dinner talking to the people you’re seated near and then consult with me afterward?” she suggested. “You could learn their names, see if you like anyone, and then…” She trailed off. He was already shaking his head.

“What happens if I find someone I like and then it turns out she’s all wrong for me?” he asked. “Or for…” He stopped talking abruptly. He had been about to say Colin, she was sure of it, and he had stopped himself from mentioning the boy’s name in public. He was so protective over Colin, she thought. He wanted nothing more than to make sure Colin was well taken care of, and that he was safe. She admired him for that.

“All right,” she said. “But since we won’t be by each other’s side, how are we going to make sure I’m able to communicate to you?”

“You can use hand signals,” he said. “That’s what I thought of.”

She frowned. “Won’t it be obvious to everyone what we’re doing if I’m showing you hand signals all through dinner? I mean, people might not know why, but they will know that I’m communicating something to you. Questions will be asked.”

“That’s why we’ll have to find a way to be subtle about it,” Nathaniel said. “I was thinking that if I’m talking to someone you think isn’t right for me, maybe you could scratch the side of your neck, like this.” He raised a hand and demonstrated.

She had to hand it to him. It was a subtle enough gesture that it wouldn’t be noticed unless someone was specifically looking for it. “And what if you’re speaking to someone I do think is a good fit?” she asked.

“Then maybe…” He paused. “It’s got to be something different enough that I won’t mistake the two gestures for one another.”