Austin rubbed a hand over his jaw, the image of Deena walking down an aisle toward anyone but— He cut the thought off sharply. “I’m hardly the poster boy for marital bliss.”
“That is true,” Dominic countered, “but you’re honest. Brutally so when it counts. Deena values honesty above everything. And you care what she thinks, so that already puts you ahead of most men here.”
Austin exhaled slowly. “I’ll… mention it. Carefully.”
Dominic nodded, satisfied. “Good man.” He raised his glass. “To old friends, then. And to new beginnings…for both of us.”
Austin picked up his half-empty glass and clicked it against Dominic’s. “To new beginnings.”
He drank, but the brandy suddenly tasted bitter.
Helping Deena find a husband of her own was the last thing Austin wanted. But he’d given his word.
For Dominic, for the brother I’ve never had. I will try.
Nine
“My darlings, gather round!” the Dowager Duchess silenced the frenzied whispers around her.The Daily Scribewas out, and everyone read the scandalous gossip piece, but the Hunt took first place.
“Today we play a game that’s one of my own inventions called The Greystone Gallop!”
Laughter and curious murmurs rose from the assembled two dozen eligible ladies and gentlemen who were all arranged in a loose semicircle on the grass.
The dowager rang her bell for silence again. “The rules are simple. Each lady will sit at one of these charming little tables.” She gestured to a row of wrought-iron tables draped in white linen, each set with two chairs and a small hourglass. “A gentleman will join her. You have three minutes,exactly three, to converse. When the bell rings, the gentlemen move to the next table. However!” She paused dramatically, eyes twinkling withexcitement. “If both parties agree, the hourglass may be flipped again, extending your time as long as mutual interest persists. No pressure, of course!”
Lady Amelia clasped her hands. “Oh, what fun!”
“But three minutes is hardly enough, Mama!” Lady Ann whined to her mother who nodded vigorously.
“We must secure extensions, my dear.”
“Yes, Mama. You have to help me.”
Deena rolled her eyes.
“I intend to flip that glass with whoever amuses me most.” The Countess of Harrow butted in confidently. Her nose was in the air as the two younger women glared at her.
Deena stood apart from the little war that unfolded before her. Her arms were loosely crossed over her chest as she watched the preparations with detached amusement until Lady Amelia’s voice rose again.
“We cannot possibly begin without the Duke of Windemere,” she declared, fluttering her fan. “It would be unfair to the rest of us.”
Several other ladies murmured in agreement, causing the men to shift nervously around them. Even the quietest ladies nodded vigorously.
“Don’t you agree, Lady Deena?” Lady Ann suddenly turned towards her, her voice dripping with false sweetness.
“I agree that everyone should have a chance to participate,” Deena answered carefully.
Lady Ann and her mama eyed her suspiciously.
“Yes, yes, we’ve heard all your pretty protests,” the Dowager Duchess announced, her booming voice cutting through the chorus of feminine complaints. She planted her cane with a decisive thump and surveyed the pouting ladies. “We shall delay the Gallop until His Gracedeignsto join us. In the meantime, gentlemen.”
She swept her fan in a grand arc towards the waiting suitors. “I suggest you rummage through your wits for something clever to say. It appears the Duke of Windemere is presently charming the ladies at this Hunt despite his latest scandal.”
A ripple of laughter and mock groans followed. Lady Amelia fluttered her lashes in exaggerated despair, while Lady Ann’s mother whispered urgently to her to stay away from such men. But Lady Ann pouted in protest.
Deena felt a sharp, unexpected pang of jealousy in her chest. Her hand rose unconsciously to her lips, fingertips brushing the spot where, last night in the meadow, Austin’s mouth had claimed hers with devastating thoroughness. She could still feel the warmth, the pressure, the way he’d angled her head to deepen the kiss until her knees weakened.
She dropped her hand quickly, shocked at herself.
