Having inherited his own dukedom eleven years prior, at the tender age of seven-and-ten, Nathaniel still struggled with the weight of responsibility. Sometimes, he wondered if he would be happier as a commoner, or if it might have been better if there had been a steward of some kind until Nathaniel was mature enough to take the reins. Either way, it had not been an easy decade to endure, and he was only just finding his feet.
“I am not interesting enough to have my name in any sort of publication,” Nathaniel insisted, for he had curated his life to be that way, keeping to himself as often as possible.
Daniel flashed a pointed glance. “One day, someone will discover your secret.”
“Nonsense. I am too discreet. I shall never be caught.”
Daniel tapped the bridge of his nose. “What I mean to say is, one day you will encounter someone who shall ensure you cannot hide your secret from the world any longer.”
“When that happens, I shall retire,” Nathaniel vowed, wondering what on Earth he would do to amuse himself if the one thing that kept him sane was taken from him. It was the one thing that truly belonged to him, the one thing that even his mother did not know about.
Daniel nodded solemnly. “I imagine that will be a sad day, but I do worry for you. Then again, I suppose we all hide things from those we care for.” He shook his head as if to dismiss the gloomy air. “So, have there not been any ladies to distract you from your dukedom, then? Perhaps, that is the solution—find something, or someone, equally as diverting.”
“Did you not see my earlier shudder?” Nathaniel smiled. “If I had it my way, I would not marry at all, nor even entertain a courtship. But my mother, of course, has other notions. I believe it is the responsibility of all mothers to try and force their sons to wed, and she has become particularly determined of late.”
Daniel set his empty cup on a passing tray and took a fresh one. “That is because you are nearing thirty, my good man. We might not suffer the same judgment as society ladies, aging into the realm of being unmarriageable, but we do become spinsters in our own way. I suppose ladies see us and wonder what is wrong with us if we are not married by thirty.”
“I have two years!” Nathaniel protested. “Yet, Mother has been writing to acquaintances she has not spoken to in ages, asking if they know of any eligible young ladies who are in want of a husband. She wanted to join me this evening, so she could undoubtedly steer pretty prospects into my path, but I told her to remain at home. I would have one evening where I do not need to think of excuses to let these unfortunate creatures down gently.”
Daniel shrugged. “Perhaps, you will change your mind about avoiding a match. If a really wonderful prospect were to cross paths with you, you might find yourself falling in love, like Evan. As you said, who would have expectedhimto find a wife and a wife he loves dearly at that?”
Nathaniel met Daniel’s eyes and took a pointed sip of his drink. “You should know better than anyone that my mind will never change. Evan has been lucky, I think, but fortune has never been in my favor.Thatwould have to change first.”
“No, I suspect you are right,” Daniel said, his gaze flitting toward something behind Nathaniel’s left shoulder. “Goodness, you reallyareunlucky.”
Nathaniel frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Did you not say that your mother was staying at home this evening?” An amused grin lifted one corner of Daniel’s mouth, his eyes shining with mischief.
Nathaniel nodded. “I did.”
“Well, my good man, it appears that she has defied your wishes,” Daniel said, stifling a laugh, “and I do believe she has brought along one of those “pretty prospects” to throw in your path. They are walking this way, but there is still time for you to make yourself scarce if you wish. A sudden malaise, perhaps? A stomachache? I can vouch for your absence but, as I say, you must be swift.”
Nathaniel clenched his jaw, refusing to turn around and see if his friend was just toying with him. If he turned and his motherwasthere, he would not escape whomever she had brought with her, sentenced to spending another dry evening on banal conversation and making excuses not to dance.
Instead, he looked toward the windows, using the reflection to figure out if he was being tricked or if his mother really had come to the ball against his wishes.
Oh, for pity’s sake…He groaned inwardly, catching the reflection of the two women: his mother and a young lady he recognized all too well as Lady Kate. The young lady was his mother’s latest obsession, whom he had encountered a fortnight ago at a dinner party. His mother had not ceased talking about her since, encouraging Nathaniel to call upon the girl. Considering he had not, he supposed he should have known that his mother wouldbringLady Kate to him, one way or another.
“Nathaniel, darling!” his mother’s all-too-familiar voice called out.
“Stomachache,” Nathaniel whispered hastily to Daniel. “Make it as visceral as you please.”
With that, he hurried toward the nearest door, hoping it would lead him as far from another unwelcome prospect as possible or at the very least, to his carriage.
CHAPTERTHREE
Where the devil are they?Leah had been waiting in the corner of the refreshment room for what felt like an eternity. Anna had gone to fetch the carriage, bringing it around to the side of the manor, so Leah could avoid using the main thoroughfare where her mother and father would surely spot her. Meanwhile, Matilda had gone in search of the missing chaperone to inform her of the imminent departure.
“Excuse me?” Leah raised a hand to catch the attention of a passing servant.
“Yes, m'lady?” the footman replied.
Leah hesitated. “Might you do me an enormous favor?”
“That depends, m'lady. What is it you would have me do?”
Leah glanced at the door to the refreshment room. “Could you bring me paper, a quill, and some ink? I have a very important note to write, and it cannot wait.”
