When Collette had refused his initial proposal, at the school, all those weeks ago, this was precisely the sort of thing she had dreaded. And yet tonight she had knowingly entered the lion’s den.
For him?
For both of them?
But it was also for her. And seeing her like this, he determined to be at least half as brave. His challenge, he already knew, would be supporting his fiancée without having to dishonor his mother.
“And my future sister- and brother-in-law.” Addison gestured toward Lord and Lady Chaswick.
“We are already acquainted with the baron and baroness.” Lady Huntly’s tone was clipped. “But we had always understood him to be his father’s only child.”
Chaswick’s gaze hardened, and, in that moment, Addison gratefully realized that he and Collette did not face the evening without reinforcements.
“I am my father’s only son,” Chaswick provided. “But I have three sisters.”
Addison knew Collette enough to realize that watching her brother defend her would not be easy. “And for that,” he inserted, “I, for one, am exceedingly glad.”
“Dinner is served, Your Grace.”
Beneath his hand, Addison felt Collette’s exhale of relief at the interruption. More than once, he’d wondered if the dinner was a mistake, he’d wondered even, if he should have simply married Collette in a private ceremony, by special license, and later presented his new bride to his mother as afait accompli.
But he didn’t want her to think he was ashamed of her in any way, nor did he want society to think the same.
“I am honored to escort your fiancée into dinner.” Rowan stepped away from the wall where he’d been watching the drama unfold. “And might I add, bravo. First points of the evening to the bridegroom. I’m quite looking forward to more of the same.”
His brother, perhaps even better than Addison, understood his mother’s games. They were usually played at Rowan’s expense.
Addison relinquished Collette regretfully, but he was certain she would be safe with Row. Perhaps Rowan would provide her with a few suggestions for dealing with the duchess.
“At least you haven’t forgotten all of your manners.” His mother appeared at his side to take hold of his arm. The others paired up according to rank to follow them through to the dining room. Collette and Rowan, of course, would be last.
“Why would you imagine I had forgotten any?” Addison refused to allow her to goad him.
“She’s positively vulgar in comparison to Lady Isabella. Surely you must see that. Honestly, Addison, I cannot imagine what you’ve been thinking. Why can’t you simply take her as a mistress? She’s practically been raised for that. Even with the baron’s obvious stubbornness, surely you and that woman can come to some other—er—private arrangement.”
“Don’t push me, Mother.” But she had already gone too far. Should he bring the evening to an inauspicious ending in light of her behavior?
Collette was smiling now at something Rowan was saying.
He’d wait.
So long as she was holding up, he would as well.
“Lady Isabella is perfect for you, Bedwell. You’ve known for some time that she’s at the top of my list. Greystone was a fool to allow her to get away last spring.”
A footman pulled out the chair at the foot of the table for his mother, and Addison waited at the opposite end until all the ladies were seated before taking his own.
Collette sent him a reassuring glance from a few settings away, still looking confident. Ironic, really. He ought to be the one reassuring her.
Rowan sat beside her, and just across from them, Lady Isabella.
Lady Isabella’s father sat at his right, of course, as the highest-ranking male guest. What had his mother expected? That he would discuss marriage contracts with the man?
It ought to have been Chaswick seated there—his future brother-in-law.
Lifting the wine glass to his lips, Addison clenched his jaw. He would not accept responsibility for keeping Lord Huntly happy. His mother had led the earl to believe Addison wished to court their daughter, and so he would leave it to her to make the necessary apologies.
As the first delicacy of the evening was served, Addison sat back quietly, allowing conversation to proceed without him. He was, in fact, content to enjoy the various wines he’d ordered while observing Collette charm those seated around her—surprisingly, even Lady Isabella and the girl’s mother.
