This was a new experience for Alex, and one he found himself enjoying despite his initial reluctance.
Lady Dayne introduced him to several Farthingales he had never met before.
They all greeted him cheerfully, although he wasn’t certain why they should be so quick to accept him.
Perhaps Tulip had spoken kindly about him.
He hoped so.
Lady Dayne’s grandson, Gabriel, took him aside as soon as introductions all around were completed.He was married to John and Sophie’s daughter, Daisy.“My wife was the one spying through the keyhole who toppled into John’s study when he yanked open the door after your betrothal discussions were concluded.”
Alex grinned.
So did Gabriel.“She’s a snoopy bit of goods.”
“It seems to be a Farthingale trait,” Alex remarked.
Gabriel nodded.“She and the other cousins were worried about Tulip and just wanted to protect her.I hope you can forgive them.”
“I cannot be angry with any of them for caring about Tulip.”
“Glad you are so understanding,” he said, giving Alex a friendly pat on the back.“And do not mind John or his brothers if they frown at you.In truth, they like you but are not ready to show it yet.John wanted to spear hot pokers through me when I was first courting Daisy.They all thought I was the vilest, most loathsome creature.”
“Were you?”Alex asked.
He nodded.“But it was only a cover.I was on a dangerous assignment for the Crown.Daisy saw me clearly for who I was and caught hell from everyone for believing in me.That’s a strength in these Farthingale females.They have excellent instincts.”
Which was why Tulip had spent months avoiding him, Alex knew.
But he must have done something right because she had started to thaw toward him over the course of these summer months and now agreed to marry him.
She would have chosen to endure the scandal rather than enter into an unwanted marriage if she still held doubts about him.
“The family came around once the truth was revealed and I was awarded an earldom,” Gabriel continued.“So, you are way ahead of the game in comparison.”
Alex laughed.“That’s comforting.”
As it turned out, titles were not used to address each other throughout the evening.
Despite being an earl, Eloise’s grandson was merely referred to as Gabriel.
Dillie’s husband, the Duke of Edgeware, was merely Ian.
In truth, Alex felt far more comfortable being addressed in this casual manner.
He liked it very much when Tulip called him by his given name, something he should have asked her to do before this evening.
After all, they had shared a kiss and were now betrothed.
Since this dinner party was far more informal than mosttongatherings, he also had the chance to converse with Tulip at length because they were seated beside each other at the dinner table.
“You look nice, Tulip.”
She blushed and glanced down at her gown, a vibrant yellow silk that somehow brought out the lovely blue of her eyes.“Thank you, Alex.So do you.”
He grinned.“Thank you.”
Her hair was styled in an elegant chignon that followed the natural wave of her hair.The style was simple and quite becoming on her.
