“When we are married, you may claim the space as your own,” the Duke assured her. “Between the two of us, you deserve it a lot more than I do.”
“We shall share it,” Deborah emphasized. “After all, we are to share everything else between us.”
Just then, the couple was interrupted as Nicholas came to sit next to them.
“Nicholas,” the Duke asked, “where have you been? I did not see you sitting at the table.”
“I was away attending to some important matters.” Nicholas smiled coyly.
“Oh, you are being so mysterious today,” Deborah noted, observing her brother carefully. “What has gotten into you?”
“Mysterious?” the Duke repeated, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes. Earlier, I told him that he should find a bride for himself soon, and he replied saying that I should not worry. Of course, that is a classic Nicholas response, but coupled with the rest of his behaviors, I am wondering if there is something he is not telling us.” Deborah narrowed her eyes at her brother, itching to know what was going on in his mind.
“I am sure Nicholas can provide an explanation.” Henry looked over at Nicholas expectantly. “Isn’t that right, Nicholas?”
Nicholas let out a nervous chuckle, his gaze shifting between the couple. “To be honest, I feel quite tongue-tied, for once in my life.”
“It is best to be direct,” Deborah replied. “Though, your behavior is only getting me more curious the more you speak. The Nicholas I know rarely thinks twice before letting his thoughts known.”
“True. But I am afraid that I might have caught the same affliction the both of you suffer from.” Nicholas smiled mischievously, “In fact, if anything, it is much more severe, and I find myself speechless quite often.”
The Duke and Deborah exchanged a look.
“Speak clearly, Nicholas,” Deborah prompted again. “Have you got your eye on someone?”
“My eye?” Nicholas chuckled. “Oh, I am afraid it is quite too late for that. It has come to a point where I have gotten my entire heart set on it.”
“That is wonderful news,” the Duke cheered. “Would you reveal her identity to us?”
“Ah, but that is the complicated bit,” Nicholas admitted. “But I will say that I have been courting her for some time now, and there is no doubt in my mind that she is meant to be with me.”
“Pardon me?” Deborah asked. “How is it that you have been courting someone this entire time and I haven’t even gotten the slightest news of it?”
Nicholas shrugged. “You have been too busy keeping up with your love story to pay attention to anyone else’s.”
“So, will you reveal her identity to us now?”
Nicholas sucked in a sharp breath. “It is no one I need to introduce to the both of you. In fact, it is someone you are quite familiar with. For the last few weeks, I have been quietly pursuing Joanna.”
The Duke and Deborah exchanged a shocked look, but it was quickly replaced by one of relief and happiness.
“Oh my,” Deborah breathed. “Did you have your sights set on her this entire time?”
“I cannot say that I planned for this to happen,” Nicholas admitted. “But something about her drew me in, and the both of us started writing to each other after I returned home from Hopestyn Estate. We realized very quickly then that we share a special connection. She agrees that she has never felt this way before about anyone, no offence to you, Your Grace.”
The Duke chuckled, making light of the situation. “None taken, Nicholas. If anything, this union only proves that you cannot force a match,” he replied.
“Do you plan on proposing to her?” Deborah inquired.
“If all goes well,” Nicholas replied confidently. “Which I am hoping that it does.”
At that moment, Deborah felt a rush of emotion and realized that not too long ago, she and her brothers had been growing up. Yet, now, they all had partners they knew they would spend the rest of their lives with. The thought warmed her heart.
“Oh, Nicholas,” Deborah commented, “I hope that everything goes great for you.”
Nicholas smiled. “Only to be so lucky.”
