Bewitching the Duke

“Yes,” she replied in a shaky tone.

He had no idea what to say to her as they walked to the dining room. Bringing up the topic of this afternoon’s misstep was not an option. He didn’t know how he’d ever be able to speak of what happened . . . although he knew he must. “Lovely weather today.”

“Yes.”

Well those few choice words did get him ten steps closer to the dining room. “My sister looks quite well. Thank you again for all your assistance with her.”

“It is what I do,” she murmured.

“Yes,” he replied for a lack of anything better to say. Thankfully, they reached the dining room. Three place settings were arranged near the end of the table for a more intimate conversation space. Kate had a smug little grin on her face as they entered the room. Obviously, her quick departure from the salon had been planned.

He held out a chair on one side for Selina who sat down and flashed a knowing smile for his sister. Then Colin assisted Kate with her chair before taking his own seat. A footman immediately brought a plate filled with roasted lamb. Guilt seemed to kill his appetite. He had to make things right with Selina, even if that meant telling her the truth.

And he intended to do that just as soon as Kate retired for the evening.

“Kate, do not tire yourself out tonight. I want you to get to sleep early,” he said in a gentle tone.

His sister rolled her eyes at him. “I am quite well thanks to Selina. I do believe I might be able to stay up for some card games or maybe even chess.”

“I think it might even be good for you,” Selina commented. “You have been stuck in your room for days. An evening with some light entertainment will do you wonders.”

Kate smiled over at him. “There, you see? Even Selina agrees.”

As dinner progressed, Colin found himself watching the two women intently. They seemed to have formed a tight bond of friendship in a very short time. He knew it was good for his sister to have a companion while here.

“It’s such a shame you cannot accompany us to Mrs. Littleton’s ball. You would love the music and the dancing,” Kate said enthusiastically.

“I don’t dance,” Selina said, staring down at her food. She pushed the peas around on her plate.

“Oh but you could learn,” Kate replied. “The steps are not difficult to learn or half the ladies in the ton wouldn’t dance.”

Selina smiled. “It is not my place to go to a ball.”

Colin felt Selina’s embarrassment from across the table. He stared at his sister, trying to make her understand without words that she needed to end this conversation.

“You would love a ball,” Kate continued without even a glance at him. “The women are dressed in their finery and the men,” she paused with a wistful sigh, “they are glorious in their dress clothes. I can just imagine the crush of men who would want to dance with you.”

“I doubt that,” Selina mumbled.

“Kate,” Colin spoke up to end this embarrassing conversation. “I believe we need to discuss the refurbishing of the house.”

His sister turned her head toward him. “Now? There is no hurry to complete the work. John and I cannot marry until his mourning time ends in three months. If we then rush to the altar, it will only cause talk. I’m quite certain he would agree that a six-month wait is more appropriate.”

“But that will be the dead of winter,” Selina commented. “Surely, you wouldn’t wish to have your guests travel here in bad weather.”

Kate fell silent for a long moment. “I hadn’t thought about that. Oh, how I wish John was here to help with this decision.”

Selina nodded in sympathy. Perhaps with a little more prodding on her part she might change Kate’s mind about marrying here. “If you wait until spring, very few people will want to travel all this way for a wedding. Maybe a wedding in town would be better.”

And then she wouldn’t have to see Colin again. He would leave the estate for good. That thought should have made her feel better but a bitter taste filled her mouth. She sipped her wine only to have it taste like vinegar. She slipped a quick glance at him. His lovely lips were turned down as if he, too, found either his food or this topic of conversation distasteful.

“I cannot wait an entire year to marry, Selina,” Kate finally said. “What am I to do?”

“Why not have a small wedding in town after Easter?” Colin suggested.

He also seemed to want the wedding in London and not here. From a practical standpoint, she could see his reason. Why waste money refurbishing a house that no one will live in and no wedding will take place in?

Selina looked over at her friend as guilt sliced through her. She truly enjoyed Kate’s company and didn’t want to see her friend in anguish after what she’d just been through with the miscarriage. “Why not have a small wedding here right before Christmas?”