“Not intentionally, I assure you.” Kit shook Darius’s hand. “I simply reminded her that she will soon outrank me. I daresay she hasn’t given that part of your arrangement much thought.”
“Nor should she,” said Darius. “At least, not amongst friends.”
Meredith’s face heated in embarrassment. Darius put an arm around her waist and kissed her forehead.
“Shall we go in to dinner?” Darius asked everyone.
The chorus of agreement, followed immediately by someone’s stomach growling so loudly everyone could hear, and it made Meredith laugh.
Warren stepped up beside her and gently pulled her away from Darius. “I would like the pleasure of escorting the future Duchess of Tiverton to dinner.” He informed Darius, who rolled his eyes but allowed it.
As Warren led the way, he leaned in close to her. “I felt this would attract less suspicion than asking to speak to you alone in another room.”
Meredith nodded in understanding.
“Crell might not be at his new home much longer,” he continued. “I heard he might be planning a trip to the continent. I imagine Darius’s visit with Doyle has spooked him enough to think he must leave the country. If you wish to make a move, it should be soon.”
Meredith pulled out the letter, which had been tucked away into her skirts. “I have the letter here. Deliver it tomorrow after Darius has left.”
Warren answered with a single nod. Feeling confident in her plan to catch Crell in a confession, she enjoyed dinner immensely. She felt as though she belonged here. Everyone included her in their stories and teased her almost as much as they did Darius. She was thankful to have so many wonderful friends in this room.
Suzannah was seated beside Meredith. Her soft smile warmed Meredith’s heart as they shared a miniature toast between the two of them by clinking their glasses of wine together.
“I believe Darius will make you very happy,” said Suzannah.
“And I hope to make him happy.”
“My dear, he already is, can’t you see?” Suzannah nodded ever so slightly toward Darius. He was laughing at something Vincent said, but whenever he glanced Meredith’s way, his eyes grew bright and his grin infectious. She grinned back at him.
“You two are clearly besotted with each other,” Suzannah said. “And I, for one, cannot be happier for you.”
Meredith agreed. It was impossible to believe one could feel so deliriously happy.
And yet she was.
Warren laughed. “Look at that silly grin.”
For once, Darius didn’t care how silly he looked. Dinner had ended, and now he swirled a glass of brandy as he lounged in a chair in the billiard room with his friends. Life was good.
“You had better stay away from them, Warren,” Felix warned. “This marriage business seems to be catching.” He pointed his billiard cue at Kit and Darius, who sat next to each other. Kit shared a look with Darius that was reserved for only the happily married men in the room.
“You don’t have to look so smug, you know,” Vincent added as he leaned over to take his shot. Balls clacked and scattered in every direction.
“We’re not smug,” Kit said. “We are merely content in our happiness.”
“We should celebrate with a shooting party. Felix, what say you?” Warren asked. “You have the best woods for pheasant hunting. Why don’t you, Lionel, and Vincent go hunting with Darius?”
“What about you and Kit?” Darius asked.
“I would, but I fear I have a business meeting tomorrow morning. Rather urgent. I could join you in the afternoon. As for Kit, I know better than to speak for a married man. His will is his own, so long as his wife allows it.”
Kit chuckled. “I’m sure Suzannah will not mind missing me for a few days.”
“Excellent,” Warren said. “Our shooting party is settled.”
“Shall we leave early in the morning?” Felix asked. “My country house is ready for visitors.”
“Yes, let’s leave at half-past eight,” Lionel suggested. “We would then have the afternoon to shoot.”
