This was as close as he was likely to get to that happening. Mr. Billings’ comment was a sign, he decided. “I’ll just get changed out of my traveling things,” he said. “Then we can make our way to their home. Of course, they aren’t expecting me… but even so, I think Lord Crownway will be happy for the surprise visit.”
“I quite agree,” Mr. Billings said. “He’ll be glad to know that you thought of his daughter on your visit to London. It shows what an attentive husband you mean to be.”
That may have been true, but Norman’s thoughts were running along the lines of what it might say about him if hedidn’tgo. It would communicate that he didn’t know the appropriate things a gentleman was supposed to do in society. People would attribute it to his being an outsider, would say that he lacked proper decorum, and it would add to the mistrust everyone seemed to feel about him already.
Blend in. Become one of them. That’s the goal. That’s what you’re trying to do here.
He changed quickly into a simple but fashionable outfit. The fitted waistcoat made him particularly uncomfortable. He loathed the way it clung to him. These people had all the money and status in the world, and they chose of their own volition to force themselves into clothes like this—what was the matter with them? Didn’t they realize comfortable clothing existed, and that you could choose to wear it?
That was the question that was on his mind as they rode over to Crownway house. Norman flexed his hands repeatedly and then forced them to relax. He couldn’t help feeling a bit of excitement stirring in his blood at the prospect of seeing Lady Susan again.
No, it couldn’t be that. Why would I be excited to see her again when we did nothing but argue the last time we were together? This excitement has more to do with Lord Crownway, most likely. He’ll be able to see me as a businessman after this, and not just as the man who’s engaged to marry his daughter. That will make him confident that he did the right thing by deciding to go into business with me. That will seal things.
Hewasexcited about that, and as his carriage rolled along, he found he was able to set aside the idea that he might have been eager to see Lady Susan. That hadn’t made any sense. The relationship that mattered to him, the one he needed to protect for the future, was the one he had with Lord Crownway.
As they pulled up in front of the house, he pushed those thoughts aside, too. He had expected this house to be smaller, more like his own London house, but it was vast. It wasn’t as big as hisestate, but it was certainly bigger than he had expected for a single man and his two daughters.
He shook his head as he got out of the carriage. This life would never cease to surprise him. And it wasn’t as though he hadn’t spent time around members of thetonbefore inheriting. He had friends in society, some of them quite high-ranking. It just didn’t seem to have prepared him as well as he would have hoped.
He started up the path, but before he could reach the front door, it flew open, and Lady Marina came running out. “Your Grace!” she gasped. “I can’t believe you’re here! Have you come because you missed Susan so terribly? Are you going to ask to move up the wedding? Oh, I’m sure Father would agree to that!”
“Marina!” Now Lady Susan had emerged, and if Norman was honest with himself, he had never been happier to see anyone. At least she would extricate him from the barrage of questions. “I’m so sorry, Your Grace,” she said. “My sister is very excitable today. As a matter of fact, we all are. A gentleman has just been to the house to seek permission to court her.”
Well, that explained her romantic spirit. Norman couldn’t be angry. He smiled at Lady Marina. “That’s very exciting,” he said. “And it speaks to the wisdom of the gentleman in question that he was able to recognize a good thing. I hope he’s worthy of you.”
Lady Marina blushed. “You’re far too kind, Your Grace. And yes, he is. We’re a perfect match, just like you and Susan.”
“It’s the gentleman you told me about, then?” Norman asked Lady Susan.
She merely nodded, but Lady Marina gasped. “You told the Duke about me and Gilbert, Susan?”
“Did you want me to keep it a secret?” Lady Susan looked abashed. “I’m sorry, Marina.”
“No, no, I’m flattered,” Lady Marina assured her. “And this shows more than ever how close the two of you have become. To think that you confided in him about me—I know my life is something that worries you, and I’m just so glad that you finally have someone to share those worries with.” To Norman, she added, “You must reassure her that I’m perfectly fine and happy, and that there’s nothing to worry about now that Gilbert and I are free to be with one another. It’s all I want.”
Lady Susan pressed her lips together, and Norman was surprised to see that he recognized the expression. She was holding back a laugh. He wouldn’t have thought he knew her well enough to decode the looks on her face, but he understood that one well enough. Perhaps it was just that she always seemed like she was about to laugh when the two of them were together. They didn’t have much between them, but the one thing they had in spades was shared secrets, and Norman realized there was a host of communication between them that was never verbalized.
“Perhaps you’d better come inside,” she said. “I assume you weren’t just walking by.”
“No,” he agreed. “I’m in town on business and it seemed only fitting that I should come by and pay a visit while I was here. If it’s all right.”
“Of course,” she said, and this time she didn’t try to hold her smile back. “Father will be very happy to see you.”
“We both had a caller on the same day!” Lady Marina said delightedly. “Sue, just think—what if we getmarriedon the same day? What if we have a wedding for both of us at the same time? That would be so romantic. You wouldn’t mind that, Your Grace, would you?”
“I think perhaps we’re getting ahead of ourselves,” Norman said with a laugh, but he couldn’t find it in himself to be angry or frustrated with someone who was so obviously excited.
“Oh, I just can’t wait,” Lady Marina said. “We’re both going to be married, Sue. It’s going to be a dream come true.”
“Why don’t you go on ahead and let Father know that the Duke is here, while I show him into the house?” Lady Susan suggested.
“You just want to bealonewith him,” Lady Marina laughed, but she turned and scampered off without any further protest.
Lady Susan turned to Norman, still smiling. “I’m sorry about her.”
“Don’t be,” he said. “She’s happy. She’s young and in love. I wish her well.”
“She’s right that I wanted to be alone with you,” Lady Susan said. “Although it was only because I needed a moment to speak with you. To make sure that you and I are still…”
