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Nora was no choice for an idle playmate or a brief encounter. She was no Annabelle, bold and uncaring of what rumor might come. And yet, she had her own boldness in the sharp tongue that had dared to chastise him, even when they’d been nothing more than master and maid. Such daring might have cost her position and any chance of a good reference to a new one.
And the way she had danced with him... the way she had responded to his kiss before they had parted…
No, Nora was no simple and uncomplicated lover that he might take for a night or a fortnight and then send away with light smiles and placating little gifts. She was a lover who could challenge him and match him, who was not afraid to give him her honest opinion and response.
He had thought, once, that he would find such a woman tiresome. But no. Nora was alluring, enticing, the promise of a companion he might never stop discovering new depths to, might never become bored with. Might never cease desiring to please and be pleased by.
It was difficult to believe that only a bit more than a month ago, he had thought her a meek little mouse of a maid, barely worth his consideration.
“Hoi, Arthur!” The shout brought him back to the club with a small start. He had not realized he’d let his feet, as well as his wits, wander all the way to the main meeting room, where his friends sat clustered around a table. David was waving him over.
“Greetings, gentlemen. I beg your pardon for the tardiness of my arrival.” He took his seat and the glass Samuel handed him. Beer, he noted, and from a pitcher that had clearly seen much use prior to his arrival.
“No matter. You aren’t so very late.” Ralph shrugged, his shoulders in a manner that suggested he’d either had more than three glasses of beer or else a bit of something stronger, though he was by no means fully intoxicated. “But what had you so lost in thought that it took three tries to get your attention?”
“Oh, as to that…” Arthur shrugged and sipped his drink to ease the dryness of his throat. “Well, to start with, Mother has asked me to tender an invitation to the manor for a small, formal supper tomorrow. I know it is a bit late of an invitation, but I do hope you shall all attend.”
“Haven’t anything else to do, and your staff does put out a good spread.” David nodded. “I’ll be there. Just send the card around with the formal time.”
“I have nothing scheduled. You may put me down as well.” Samuel added.
“You know I’m always willing to answer any invitation you might issue, old chap.” Ralph tipped his head. “But it is a bit short notice. Might I ask what the occasion is?”
“You might very well ask.” Arthur took a sip of his beer and a deep breath. “The dinner is to formally announce my engagement and to introduce my fiancée.”
There was an explosive exhalation all around the table, and David thumped back into his seat. “Your... fiancée?”
“Yes.” He nodded, inwardly bracing himself for the question he knew must come.
“But who?” Ralph sat forward and stared at him. “Not... not that little maid you proposed to last night?”
“Nora. And yes, she is the one.” Arthur nodded.
“I thought you were only jesting when you proposed.” Samuel’s eyes were so wide they seemed as though they might fall straight out of his skull.
“So I thought at first. But after due consideration, I have concluded that she might do very well for a Duchess after all, for all the reasons I spoke of last night and more besides.” He took another drink, feeling the curls of disbelieving joy-worry-joy-relief that had distracted him all morning, swirling through him again.
“But I thought she had given you no answer? You were not certain of anything last night.” Ralph’s brow was furrowed.
“That was last night. This morning, Nora consented to be my wife and so I shall wed her, as soon as may be considered reasonable.” He shrugged. “She has agreed, and Mother has approved, and there is no reason I should not, and many that I should.”
Nora herself foremost among them.
“But... I thought sure you were determined to remain a bachelor. Didn’t we all say that not so long ago?” Samuel was still blinking as if he could not absorb the simple fact that Arthur would be getting married.
“Well, that was some time ago.” David broke his own contemplative silence. “And we were just talking the other day about how Arthur does have responsibilities to the family name and line that none of us bear the burden of.”
“That might be true, but matrimony? After so many years of so many willing partners? And what of Annabelle Norburn?” Ralph slapped his hand on the table. “You cannot tell me she will accept being set aside for a servant.”
“As to that, it is not her decision. But even so, she has already sent me a missive, in which she encouraged the match and offered her congratulations, even as she declared that we would no longer have any association beyond friendly acquaintances of the same circle.” He smirked. “And I’ll wager that between that and the scandal sheets, I’ll have little trouble keeping even the more troublesome ladies of the ton at arm’s length. And that suits me well, with my relationship to Nora so new.”
David grinned. “If you say so, dear fellow, I’ll not contradict you. Only, might you put in a good word for me with Annabelle? I should like a chance to know her better if she’s no longer an object of your attentions.” He raised an eyebrow and offered up a smirk that implied a good deal more than polite association.
“If you like. Though you know, she will make her own decision.”
“So long as I have a fair chance to make my case, I’ll take that chance.” David tipped his head with a satisfied air. “She’ll find I’m no laggard in pleasing a woman.”
“Letting that aside…” Samuel broke in, having finally recovered some of his poise. “Are you sure this is what you want, Arthur? I mean, you could take the girl as a mistress, and then it would be easier to part if you don’t suit…” He trailed off.
