“The honor is mine,” Nicholas said. “To share company with two such lovely young ladies—it’s an honor I’m sure many gentleman would leap at. And I thank you for your hospitality, Lord Crestley,” he added to their father.
“Someone will show you to your room,” Lord Crestley said. “Or perhaps you’d care to join the other guests in the sitting room for cocktails?”
“Cocktails sound lovely,” Nicholas said. His gaze lingered a moment longer on Lady Eleanor. Would she be joining them for cocktails? Surely she would, and perhaps then he would be able to steal a moment of her time. The thought made him feel more excited than he had imagined possible at this event. He had been sure it would be a dull week, but now he rather wished they were going to be here longer so that he could really have a chance to get to know her.
He allowed his mother to take his arm and the pair of them made their way through into the sitting room, where people were standing with glasses in their hands and talking to their companions in low voices.
“Lady Marina certainly is lovely,” his mother said.
“She is,” Nicholas agreed.
“She’ll make a beautiful bride, don’t you think?”
“Yes, I’m sure she will,” Nicholas said.
“And just think—you could have just such a bride, Nicholas. Lady Hannah will accept you the moment you ask her, and won’t she be lovely in a wedding gown?”
“I’m not going to marry someone just because she would look good in a wedding gown,” Nicholas said, laughing at the absurdity of the statement.
And yet, in spite of himself, he found himself wondering how Lady Eleanor might look in a wedding gown. Would marriage make her lose that sparkle in her eye and that mischievous grin? Or, when she married, would she pass that sparkle on to her husband?
CHAPTER TWELVE
Nicholas was deeply relieved to see his old friend from school, Phineas, already in the sitting room. He hurried to his friend’s side, eager to separate himself from his mother for a while.
“Ah,” Phineas said, lifting a second drink from the table behind him and handing it to Nicholas. “I had a feeling I’d be seeing you soon after your arrival here.”
“Yes, well, the more we can stay out of sight, the better,” Nicholas said fervently. “If you’re willing to leave the house and walk around the grounds with me, I would certainly be thankful.”
“I’m willing, of course, but I won’t be able to spend as much time as you might like out of doors,” Phineas said. “This is my brother’s wedding party, after all, and I want to be present in case he needs me for anything—not to mention the fact that Isimply don’t want to miss anything! I’m quite excited about this event, you know.”
“Forgive me,” Nicholas said. “In my own frustration, I did put my needs ahead of your own.”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” Phineas assured him. “But let us have a drink and observe the guests for a while. There’s no need to take off right away.”
“You’re right,” Nicholas said. “I do have a few people I would prefer to avoid at this party—but I’m sure I’ll be able to keep away from them well enough.”
“Let me guess—your mother?”
“Of course. And Lady Hannah.”
Phineas looked away and took a sip of his drink. Nicholas frowned. Had he offended his friend?
But when Phineas looked back, his face was calm and clear. “At least today is just for cocktails and settling in,” he said. “Nobody will expect very much of you today. You’ll be permitted to drink your drink and spend the rest of the day exploring the place.”
“I’m sure I’ll retire to my room early,” Nicholas said. “But enough about me—what news about you? Your younger brother is marrying this week. Have you given any thought to marriage yourself?”
“Thought is one thing,” Phineas said obliquely. “Making it happen is another thing altogether.”
“I suppose that’s quite so,” Nicholas said.
“I haven’t found a lady who’s captured my interest, who I think will have me,” Phineas said.
“Have you found one you don’t think will have you?”
Phineas sighed. “Affairs of the heart can be complicated.”
That sounded like an affirmative answer to Nicholas. “Who is she?” he asked. “I’m sure you’re wrong. Any young lady would be lucky to marry you, Phineas! And if she doesn’t realize it, perhaps we can make it clear to her over the course of this week—is she here?”
