AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sure our parents are relieved not to be in the same carriage as squabbling siblings. I’m glad my mother refused to have more children after I was born.”
Thomas didn’t remark about that. Everyone knew Pierce’s parents had got married in an arranged match, and they only needed a son to solidify the line. Once Pierce was born, that was it. Thomas had been in the company of the baron and baroness, and he could see while they were consummate hosts and interacted like there was nothing wrong, there was definitely no love lost between them.
It was an odd thing to witness. Thomas and Edwin’s parents had been matched into their marriage as well, but they had grown to love each other and were quite affectionate. To see it go the other way did make staying with the baron’s family a little uncomfortable.
At least Pierce was making it interesting. His exploits and stories were certainly entertaining. Thomas could only hope that could happen tonight while he had to be in Aimee Burke’s company for the evening. He would have to dance with her, talk and keep her entertained as a show for everyone else. And he knew Aimee would be absorbing it.
He was meant to do that, but Thomas wanted to do something else. He wanted to focus his attention on Aimee’s younger sister. Sophia was far more interesting. In just a few short interactions, he knew more about her than he knew Aimee. It was hard to imagine the two of them were related.
If Sophia had been the one he had been arranged to marry, then he wouldn’t mind so much. But Thomas knew he would be in trouble if he gravitated towards Viscount Westbury’s youngest daughter, especially without explanation. He had to respect Aimee tonight.
He wasn’t sure if he could do it that well, not with his thoughts going elsewhere.
“You’re doing it again, Thomas,” Edwin warned, prodding Thomas in his side with his fingers.
“Ouch! Stop doing that!”
“And you stop sliding over to my side. I would like to be able to breathe!”
Pierce was still laughing at them. Thomas sent a kick in his direction, catching his friend on the shin. Pierce flinched and grimaced as he rubbed his leg.
“Now, now, Thomas, that’s not a very gentlemanly thing to do, is it?”
“With nobody here except us as witnesses, I doubt anyone will make a comment about it.”
“You think I won’t explain why I’m limping.”
“Just grow up, Pierce.”
“Isn’t that meant to be my comment to you?” Pierce sat back. “Honestly, it’s just a ball. We’re going to be in the company of some of the prettiest ladies in the area, along with some of the most titled and prestigious members of the nobility. Viscount Westbury certainly knows how to get those of a higher rank to come and congregate.”
Thomas frowned.
“How is the second part a good thing unless you want to lick the shoes of the higher nobles?”
“You still don’t know how to progress in life at your age?”
“There’s more to life than trying to further your reputation with other people,” Edwin pointed out. “We have a bit of freedom to move around and do more than women, and I want to take every advantage. Especially before I think about getting married.”
Pierce snorted.
“If you thought that, you would be getting a different woman into your bed every night. That’s not taking every advantage.”
“And not everyone wants to have flings every night, Pierce,” Thomas shot back. “Others have a bit more self-respect.”
“You think I don’t have self-respect?”
“Not really.”
Pierce rolled his eyes and looked out the window.
“Nice to know what you think of me. And I thought we were friends.”
“We are friends, and I like to think we can be honest with each other.” Thomas shrugged. “If you want to behave as you are, go right ahead, but that doesn’t mean we have to as well.”
“No, you just agree with your parents arranging a match for you with a woman I wouldn’t touch.”
Thomas didn’t respond. He didn’t really have an argument for that. This was needed for both of the families, and Thomas understood that. But it didn’t mean he liked it. It was just easier to go along with it.
