“Ah, what is happening here? Drinking without inviting me to join?” Nicholas feigned offence.
His lighthearted comment brought momentary respite to the serious atmosphere that had enveloped the two gentlemen before him. The Duke shared an amused glance with his uncle.
“We dare not,” Lord Jonathan replied. “Come join us if you wish.”
“You need not say another word.”
Nicholas had a way of making himself comfortable around anyone. His natural charisma and penchant for jest had already lifted the spirits of everyone in the room.
“So, you must fill me in,” Nicholas continued as he poured himself a drink. “What are we discussing?”
“Matters of the heart,” Lord Jonathan replied, his voice laced with a hint of mirth. “Tell us, would you like to recount your experiences with love?”
Nicholas laughed. “I am not sure if I am very experienced in the matter. But I wouldn’t mind a teaching moment, if the two of you have anything to tell me.”
“It’s nothing that can be taught,” Henry replied, his mind wandering over to Deborah once again. “You do not know it until it happens to you.”
Nicholas eyed the Duke curiously. The two of men were at very different stages of sobriety, and the Duke knew he was divulging more information than he normally would were he sober.
“And you do not know the force it holds until you lose it,” Lord Jonathan added.
“I am afraid I am missing out on some crucial context here,” Nicholas replied, seeming confused. “It’s as though the two of you are speaking in riddles.”
“Let us not dwell on it any longer.” The Duke finally put his glass down, deciding that he had done enough opening-up for the night.
“If you wish.”
“What is the reason you are awake at this hour?” The Duke shifted the focus to Nicholas, hoping to make pleasant conversation that did not concern deep thinking and regretful reminiscing.
“Oh, as you know, tomorrow we make the long journey back to Shalrow Estate. The anticipation has made me lose sleep, and I am sure I am going to regret it in the morning,” Nicholas admitted with a laugh.
“You are leaving already?” Henry asked, a slight panic in his voice. “I thought that you were staying for a few more days.”
“As lovely as that would have been, I fear that we have already been away from home for too long, and both Peter and I have matters to attend to back home.”
The Duke realized that this meant that Deborah was leaving tomorrow as well. His heart clenched once again as he wondered if today would be the last he saw of her in a while.
“Well, it has been a great time getting to know you,” Lord Jonathan replied instead. “Wouldn’t you agree, Henry? Nicholas has been such a friendly face to have around, always lighting up any room he enters with his sense of humor.”
The Duke nodded mindlessly. His thoughts were still stuck on the fact that Deborah would be leaving tomorrow. “And what are these matters that you need to attend to at Shalrow Estate?” he asked, bluntly.
Could it be that they wanted to finalize Lord Macaulay’s proposal to Deborah? It seemed unlikely, but Henry wondered if Deborah had changed her mind.
“Oh, nothing exciting, I am afraid. Just work matters,” Nicholas said. Then, as if he had read the Duke’s mind, he added, “Nothing related to the family.”
“I see,” the Duke replied calmly, even though relief rushed through him.
“I am sure you will be quite busy yourself,” Nicholas said. “Surely, you have a wedding to plan as well.”
“I believe Emma will be taking care of that. I do not think she requires my opinion in that regard, nor does she want it.”
“Your Grace,” Nicholas pointed out, “I meant your own marriage to Lady Joanna.”
“Oh.” Henry once again forgot about Joanna. “Nothing is set in stone as of yet.”
To his surprise, Nicholas seemed pleased with his answer. “Leaving it up to fate, aren’t you?”
“Perhaps that is one way to think about it,” the Duke said, keeping his response brief.
