“Thank you, Selina,” she eventually said.
Selina smiled. “Anytime. Now, dry your eyes. You’ve got an afternoon full of matchmaking nonsense ahead of you.”
Deena laughed again, this time lighter. “How wonderful.”
Selina stood, pulling Deena up with her. “We need to find you something to wear that will make certain dukes lose their composure. The game is called a Duke Hunt for a reason.”
Thirteen
The horses neighed loudly as Austin took his place closest to the paddock. Conversation rose and fell in polite waves around him, but his attention drifted towards the house.
Deena hasn’t arrived yet.
“Windemere.” Dominic appeared beside him, coat still slightly damp from the afternoon drizzle. He looked tired but content, the way only a man who had spent the day wrangling duty, children, and a wife could look.
“You’ve been disappearing more than usual,” Austin said without preamble. “Selina’s starting to miss you so dearly.”
“Selina or you?”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” Austin said drily. “You can tell me if you’re running away from the wife and children, I’d understand.”
Dominic snorted. “It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
“Selina’s sister, Christine, got herself tangled in a bit of trouble in town.”
Austin’s head snapped towards him.
“Is she all right?”
“Yes, it was nothing catastrophic. Just a misunderstanding in a boutique that turned into accusations of theft because of her brother’s reputation.”
Austin raised a brow. “And you rode to the rescue?”
“Yes, that’s what you do for family.” Dominic stared out at the horses, and Austin envied the content look on his friend’s face.
“Keep the sweet talk for your wife,” Austin teased.
Dominic laughed. “I will.”
“Lucky man.” Austin let out a heavy sigh.
Dominic studied him for a moment. “That’s not a good sign. Has my sister not been helpful enough on your quest?”
“She has been very helpful.”
“So, you found yourself a suitable wife?” Dominic sounded hopeful.
Austin exhaled, leaning back slightly. “I’m trying my best. And Deena… she’s thorough. She pointed me to the right woman. Called every flaw exactly as it was. With no sugar-coating, might I add.”
Dominic’s expression softened. “That’s Deena. She always has beentoogenuine.”
“She gets that from you.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
A chestnut horse approached them at the fence and swished its tail when Austin reached out to pet it.
