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“That may be, but I have ten years of missing you to make up for.”
Overlea clapped him on the shoulder and drew his wife back. “It is good to see you again, Lowenbrock.”
John made a face. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to that.”
His brother-in-law gave him a look that said he well understood the sentiment. With an older brother who’d passed away unexpectedly, Overlea had never expected to inherit the title.
Kerrick moved to his wife’s side and greeted him with warmth.
Catherine slid her arm through his. “I thought my husband was having fun at my expense when he told me you were hosting a ball.”
“Believe me, it wasn’t at the top of my list of things I needed to do.”
Louisa, who’d taken her husband’s arm as well, tilted her head to one side. “Then why hold it? I doubt anyone would have counted it against you if you’d waited until next year.”
“It was either hold a ball and meet everyone in the neighboring areas at once or suffer through an unending parade of calls from lords who wanted me to meet their unwed daughters.”
Kerrick shot Overlea a knowing look. “Welcome to our world. The only solution is to wed.”
Catherine frowned at her husband. “And even then, there is no end to the women who want to have a liaison with your husband.”
“We can’t be held responsible for what others attempt,” Overlea said with a small chuckle. But the frown Louisa aimed his way had him turning it into a cough.
“Yes, well, at least I won’t be the sole recipient of the neighbors’ machinations.”
He turned to Ashford and Cranston and made the introductions, and then the groups returned to the house.
“How are the children doing? I’m sure they’ll miss you while you’re away.”
“I’m sure they will.” Louisa’s smile was bright, but John knew from the way her eyebrows drew together for a brief moment that she missed them as well. “They’re staying with His Grace and their brood.”
“His Grace?” Ashford aimed a curious glance at John.
“The Duke of Clarington,” Overlea said. “The children are the best of friends, and we take turns hosting them at our houses for a month over the summer. It worked out that this year it was their turn.”
Catherine gave him a sly glance. “Perhaps after this ball, you’ll also be well on your way to starting your own families.” She smiled at his friends.
As one, the two men coughed, and John couldn’t hold back his bark of laughter. They cast a strange look his way, and he realized he might have tipped his hand about his future plans.
“Someone will see you to your rooms. But first I’d like a chance to speak to my sisters alone.”
“Of course,” Cranston said. “This will give Ashford the opportunity to brush up on his billiard skills.”
Ashford glared at him, and John knew that if his sisters weren’t present, he would have fouled the air with a ripe curse.
“Billiards?” Kerrick raised a brow. “I might join you in a bit. It wouldn’t hurt to brush up on my skills as well.”
Overlea gave his head a shake. “Don’t allow this shark fleece you into betting any money.”
A corner of Kerrick’s mouth kicked up. “You can’t blame a man for trying.”
The men left and headed their separate ways—Overlea and Kerrick following the footmen upstairs and his friends heading back to the billiard room. John inclined his head toward the drawing room and then followed his sisters there.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this far north before.” Louisa made her way to the settee and sat, Catherine following suit.
“Indeed,” Catherine said with a wry tilt of her head. “Are we still in England?”
John dropped onto an armchair with a groan. Ashford had made the same joke. “You could have stayed home if you didn’t want to make the trip.”
