“What are you all about?” The duchess’s voice rang out from behind him.
Rose ran past him before he could turn around. “Lady Northwick, my brother just proposed to Dory and she said yes!”
Devil it. He leaned down and kissed his love.
Her mouth opened to his, but he refused the invitation, suddenly aware from the chatter of voices that there were many as their witnesses. Just as he pulled away, Dory licked at his lips, sending a shock through his body.
She smiled up at him before walking forward, forcing him to turn and face their audience. As he counted the faces, he swore he’d been to plays with fewer people. The duchess stood above on the terrace studying Dory. His sister stood a step below. On the ground at the bottom of the terrace were Lady Georgina and Lady Eleanor. Mademoiselle Lissette stood off to the side with Lady Sophie, and striding toward them all was the Duke of Northwick.
He tensed. Whatever the man had to say, nothing would dissuade him from his current path. The duke stepped in front of them.
Dory spoke at once. “Lord Northwick, I can explain.”
“No.” Felton squeezed Dory’s hand. “Ican explain. I am marrying Dory as soon as the banns can be read.”
The duke’s gaze remained steady as it moved from Dory to himself. “Then I expect an invitation to the wedding.”
Relieved the man wouldn’t try to stop him, he nodded. “We would be honored.”
Within seconds, they were surrounded by everyone, or rather the ladies surrounded Dory, clearly happy for her. Lady Northwick took the opportunity to pull him aside. “Felton, I’m so pleased you have found another love.”
“I think Belinda would approve.”
“I agree.” She gave him a kind smile. “For me, it still feels like you are marrying into my family. This school and these students have become my family. Maybe both you and Dory can be guest lecturers sometime. It would be a shame to only see you at Christmastide and in Town.”
“Joanna, we would be honored.”
“Good, but I do have one concession I must insist upon.”
He stiffened, immediately wary. “And that is?”
“That you never, for any reason, interfere with my school or my students again. The duke and I are well equipped to handle its reputation. Understand?”
He swallowed hard, his own efforts in light of the duke’s influence seeming suddenly childish. “Yes. I had only Belinda’s name in mind.” He didn’t add that his marriage to Dory might help, though the damage her mother had done kept him silent.
The duchess raised her brow. “Your intentions may have been honorable, but my sister is long gone. It is time you joined the living.”
He nodded, in full agreement. As the duchess turned away, he felt a hand take his, and he immediately turned to see what his sister wanted. “Yes?”
“I’m so happy for you.” She rested her hand over her heart. “Dory is perfect for you.”
“You knew Dearling had broken the betrothal and didn’t tell me. Why?”
Her gaze turned wise beyond her years. “I had to know you truly cared for Dory. If you did, then you would hurt like you had hurt her. It also meant you were feeling again. Truly feeling. I wanted to be sure my brother had returned from living in the shadows.”
He pulled her forward and hugged her so she wouldn’t realize there were tears in his eyes. “You are far more intelligent than you accept.”
She pulled away and grinned. “Imagine how much more so I’ll be after this year at Belinda’s school.”
He had no doubt she would absorb ever piece of knowledge she could and become a far better person than he could ever hope to be. “When you are ready to find the man you want to marry, I will help you in any way I can.”
Rose wiggled her brows. “I’ll be sure to remember that.”
He squeezed her hand and she let go, off to talk to her new friends. He searched for Dory and found her speaking with the duchess. He headed that way, breaking into their conversation. “I do not mean to interrupt, but I request a walk with my betrothed, if that would be acceptable?”
The duchess nodded. “As long as you stay within sight, I will allow it.”
“My lady?” He offered his arm to Dory and they strolled down the grass. Her lemony scent filled his lungs, and he breathed deeply.
