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Sebastian

Unfortunately, Sebastian was not able to get a private word with his sister. She was too busy getting up and down as the guests arrived, which made for a very disjointed card game. Neither Northumberland nor Lady Isabella seemed to mind, though. Northumberland was not as toady-ish as usual, though Sebastian almost missed that since his sucking up had been replaced by distinct attentions directed at Lady Isabella.

Some would call it an ideal match—the heir stepping forward to take care of the previous duke’s loved ones. Ensuring she had the position she’d previously been offered. Taking the duke’s place as her protector and husband.

But it felt wrong.

So very, very wrong.

It was not his choice, though. And he could not tell how Lady Isabella felt about Northumberland’s obvious affection.

He did at least manage to whisper to Tiffany that he wished a private word, while Northumberland and Lady Isabella were focused on each other for a moment. His sister gave him a long look, full of curiosity, so he hoped she would arrange things so they could speak sooner rather than later. If possible.

Miss Fenley was the first of his prospective brides to arrive in the room with her brother and parents. As Christian was right on their heels, she might have missed out on being seated with Sebastian, but she was still at a card table with an eligible and available duke. If she was unhappy that it was not Sebastian, that did not show in her face.

Other guests came in right after her—the other dukes and their wives, Zachary, Drake—all came trailing in and began to settle at the tables.

When Lady Darcy arrived a few minutes later and realized that both Sebastian and Christian were occupied at full tables, her face fell. Though she made a rather splendid entrance, as before, drawing all eyes to her, the maneuver had backfired in a way as well. She covered it quickly, but Sebastian had had a clear view of her entrance and caught it.

When he glanced away, his gaze caught Miss Hu’s. She appeared to have been studying him. He held her gaze for a long moment, seeing the faintest tinge of pink on her cheeks before her head dropped down. Though he kept looking at her, she was determinedly staring at her hand of cards, and it wasn’t until Tiffany cleared her throat and gave him a curious look that he realized he was holding up his own card game.

Lady MarcyAnne arrived directly on Lady Darcy’s heels, smiling triumphantly when the whole room turned to look at her entrance. She’d picked up very quickly on Lady Darcy’s tactic. And was just as quick to cover her expression when she realized that, in this instance, the late entrance meant a less desirable spot at the card tables.

Once everyone was inside, it did allow Tiffany the chance to actually relax and play.

Of course, she could not allow Sebastian not to play with his potential brides at all. Between games, she escorted Northumberland around to introduce him to the other guests and explain the circumstances of his arrival. Which also gave Sebastian the chance to speak with Lady Isabella alone for a few moments.

“Does Northumberland visit you often?” Sebastian did not bother to use finesse since he did not know how long they had to converse before someone else might join him.

Amusement sparked in Lady Isabella’s dark eyes. Sebastian was usually more courteous. And circumspect. Gregory would usually be the one more likely to baldly ask such a question.

“Every few weeks, sometimes once a week, as he can manage it.” Lady Isabella’s head turned to watch Northumberland and Tiffany’s progress across the room. “He says he feels it’s his duty as Sinclair’s heir.”

“Mmm.” Sebastian kept his voice as noncommittal as possible.

“He has not kept it a secret that he thinks I should not lose my place as the Duchess of Northumberland,” she said serenely, as if they were merely talking about the weather.

Sebastian nearly choked. That was the last thing he’d expected her to say. Clearly, Northumberland had been more forward than Sebastian would have given him credit for.

“And… is that your desire as well?” he asked after a moment, well aware of Lady Isabella’s amusement as she watched his reaction.

Her expression shifted, grief re-entering her eyes, and for a moment, Sebastian regretted the question.

“I do not know.” She sighed, and there was a certain amount of resignation in the sound. “It is very honorable of him to make the offer.” As if she would not be considered a catch in her own regard—beautiful, with a large dowry, trained to be a duchess, clever, kind. “But I do not know. I do not know if I could be Duchess of Northumberland without always thinking of Sinclair. And yet, it also seems a way I could both remember and honor him. It is the closest I could come to still being with him.”

The quiet sadness that emanated from her made Sebastian’s heart hurt. He knew the grief of losing a parent, but Lady Isabella was not only grieving the loss of a person, but of the future they were supposed to have together. The one they were supposed to build together.

She and Sinclair would have talked about their dreams, their plans for the estate. The only way she could see them through now would be to marry William Seymour and become his Duchess of Northumberland. Yet, if she did not, then some other woman would take the place she was supposed to have had, and Lady Isabella would lose any chance to influence the way the Northumberlands ruled their estate.

None of what Sinclair had wanted would come to fruition. Yet he would also not want his bride to grieve for the rest of her life. Would not want her haunted by his ghost, the memories, or the plans they’d made together.

Sebastian reached his hand across the table to cover hers.

“Sinclair would want you to be happy above all else,” he said quietly. “As do we all.”

“I am uncertain that is a possibility for me anymore.” She glanced around the room. “But what of you? I must say, it has been rather amusing to see so many of the group fall to the marital altar so quickly, one after another. It feels like every letter I receive from London contains news of a new marriage. As much as I welcomed a respite from home, that was the other reason I came this weekend. I wanted to meet all the new wives. And here you are, clearly on the hunt for one.”