“You should have told me that you were to be here,” his friend scolded him, albeit with a smile on his face. “I would have made quite sure that you had at least four invitations for this evening so you could choose what you would attend!”
George shook his head. “I should have refused all of them.”
“Oh? And why is that?”
“I think a quiet drink at Whites is all I shall manage this evening,” George replied, with a shrug. “It has been a long few days' travel, and I am only here for business matters.” Throwing back the grimace that threatened to pull at his lips, George called for the servant to enter with whatever refreshments had been brought. It was enough of a distraction for his friend, giving George enough time to make certain his expression was quite neutral, hiding what he really felt from him. As yet, George considered, no one else needed to know the true nature of his business here in London, especially when he himself did not want to pursue it in the least.
“And are you not here to eventhinkabout matrimony?” Lord Dorset chuckled as George frowned. “It may not be a pleasant thought, I am sure, but it is required of all of us!”
“Are you not already wed?” George replied with a snort as Lord Dorset nodded fervently. “Then ought you not to be telling me just how wonderful a thing it is, how much you delight in it all?”
“Oh, I am not suggesting in the least that it is unpleasant!” came the reply as George poured two cups of coffee for them both. “Only to suggest that gentlemen such as yourself, who are stillyetto wed, might think it a little disagreeable.” He waved one hand airily. “You think that it will steal your freedom from you, that you will have no joy remaining and no happiness whatsoever – but I can assure you, that is quite untrue. It is only the perception of marriage.”
With a chuckle, George picked up a honey cake and sat back in his chair. “I am sure that not all gentlemen find such happiness. It must be that there are many with unhappy marriages and it isthosefellows who speak so poorly of the state.”
“Mayhap.” Lord Dorset shrugged. “I confess that I thought such a way before I was wed. Now, however, I find myself in such happiness, I berate myself for waiting for so long! You, given that you arestillwithout a wife, must surely be thinking of it at the very least!”
George took a sip of his coffee, giving him a few more moments to think of a suitable answer. “I find that my thoughts are taken up with many things,” he admitted, as Lord Dorset rolled his eyes. “I have been unable to think of anything other than my responsibilities of late, I confess.”
Sympathy softened Lord Dorset’s eyes. “I was sorry to hear of your father’s unexpected passing. That must have been a painful moment.”
“It was,” George answered, his throat constricting as he recalled the note he had received upon his arrival back at the estate that Christmas time. “There had been some… well,something a little unexpected shared between us over the festive Season. Father had been in London, and I was staying with my aunt and uncle many miles away. I received a letter from my father a few days before Christmas, and it troubled me greatly. I was determined to speak with him once we both returned home, but it seemed it was not to be.” His heart squeezed painfully, and he closed his eyes so he would not see Lord Dorset’s compassionate gaze. “Thus, you find me as I am now, determined to do all I can to fulfil all the duties and responsibilities of an Earl.”
“And you shall do so very well indeed, I am quite sure,” Lord Dorset replied, as George opened his eyes and reached for a second honey cake. “A wife, however, is surely one of those responsibilities?”
“One that I already have in hand,” George answered, waving away the questions that instantly sprang into Lord Dorset’s eyes. “You may have had to search through all of London for a bride, but I do not need to do so. I will be wed by the end of the Season, I am sure of that.”
Lord Dorset grimaced. “You are most irritating, my friend, telling me such a thing but refusing to speak of any of the details.”
“In time, mayhap,” George replied, the sting of his responsibilities sending pain into his heart, just as they had done repeatedly these last few months. “But I am tired and my explanations, I fear, would weary me all the more.” Giving his friend a placating smile, he gestured to the cakes. “Please, eat as much as you please and tell me all about your time in London thus far – including why you are here when you were only wed last Season!”
With a sigh but a smile that quickly returned, Lord Dorset picked up another cake. “My wife’s younger sister is making her come out and, with her mother and father both gone to hisholdings on the continent, we took it upon ourselves to make sure all was done well.”
George’s eyebrows lifted. “You mean to say that you are responsible for chaperoning her?”
Lord Dorset nodded. “Why do you think I was asking you about your interest in marriage?” he asked, as George groaned aloud, his lips quirking all the same. “It would be very pleasant if I could marry Lady Norah to a gentleman I know is both wealthy and considerate, would it not? That way, I could steal my wife back to our estate and be done with it all!”
“So you do not seek my happiness but your own?” George asked, his mouth twitching as his friend’s face flushed. “I see.”
“You know I do not mean to be in any way insulting.”
George laughed, relieved that he had found something to lighten his spirits. “No, indeed not. In fact, I am sure I should be grateful to you for speaking so highly of my character!”
Lord Dorset’s grin quickly returned. “I am glad to hear you say so!” His head tilted. “I cannot encourage you to join me at the ball this evening? You are determined to go to Whites?”
With a nod, George looked back at his friend. “I think I am settled on Whites for this evening, but thereafter, I am sure I can be persuaded. I am going to have to attendsomesociety occasions, I suppose!”
“You are indeed! And I should very much like to introduce you to my wife… and to her sister, if you will permit me.”
George snorted. “So long as you do not have an ulterior motive, then yes, I should be glad to.” His laughter faded. “I am sorry I could not attend your wedding, my friend. I did so very much want to be there.”
“But your mourning prevented you, which I quite understood.” With a nod, Lord Dorset rose to his feet. “I shall insist that you join us for dinner tomorrow, Surrey. I will not have you refuse.”
“Very well.” George too got to his feet, shaking his friend’s hand again and watching him take his leave. As the door closed, however, the light that had been in his spirits began to fade, a heaviness returning.
Yes, hewouldhave to make his way into society, but it would not be of his own volition. His business affairs were tied up directly with society itself, and that in itself meant there was no way of escape.
Swallowing the rest of his coffee, George walked across the room and poured a large measure of whisky. None of this was of his own choosing, none of it his own decision. Had he been free, then he would have beaten Lord Dorset to the altar, he was sure of it.
