Page 79 of His Duchess' Mischief

Seth sat at the head of the table, with Alicia on his left and Jane on his right. Jane’s husband, the Marquess of Riverton, sat opposite him.

David Sinclair was an unassuming man and very different from Seth. While Seth seemed to dominate any room he walked into, David was more mild-mannered and amicable.

It was part of the reason why Alicia had never been sure of her sister’s happiness.

Jane was quiet too, but passionate and soulful. Alicia had never believed that David could match her spirit. However, the more time she spent with them, the more she understood their dynamic.

Jane and David complemented one another, their personalities fitting together and meeting in the middle.

Alicia glanced at Seth, marveling at how short a time had passed since their wedding day.

Will we ever complement one another in the same way? Would he even want us to?

Seth’s shoulders hunched as he began to slice up a potato, his jaw working, the muscles in his neck moving beneath the candlelight.

Alicia flushed, turning away and sipping her wine. Jane’s sharp gaze met hers, and she raised her eyebrows meaningfully.

“Jane tells me you have a nest of buzzards on your estate, Your Grace,” David prompted in a friendly tone.

“I do,” Seth confirmed. “Did Alicia show you?”

Jane gave him a warm smile. “She did try, but we had some trouble locating them.”

Alicia huffed irritably. “I think we were looking at the wrong tree.”

Seth chuckled. “They are wily things. They know to hide their nests well. I am surprised Alicia could not find it, though. I showed it to her only this morning.”

“It is not as easy as locating Christopher, after all,” Alicia said, forgetting herself. “At least he is there every time I leave the house.”

“Christopher?” Jane echoed, holding her juice glass just below her mouth, which was beginning to twitch at the corners.

Alicia glowered at her. “The robin in the gardens; he visits us daily.”

“Anamedrobin,” David remarked. “My goodness, I shall have to brush up on my knowledge of birds for our future visits.”

“You are welcome whenever you wish, of course,” Seth said with such ease that it took Alicia by surprise.

Where is the brooding giant who whisked me onto the dance floor without so much as a by your leave? He is all grace and wit this evening.

As dessert was served, Jane was looking very tired and pale again, and Alicia wondered if the baby was making her sick.

Jane barely touched her food after the main course was cleared away, and by the time the desserts were removed, there was sweat on her forehead.

David stood up as soon as the servants had left the room and came to help her out of her chair.

“What can I do?” he murmured, holding her against him with such tenderness.

“Oh, nothing, my love. It is the way of things.”

“Would you like to come to the drawing room?” Alicia asked. “I can have some tea brought; that helped a little before.”

Jane smiled. “I would like that.”

Alicia moved around the table, taking Jane’s arm and leading her out of the room, leaving the men to their port.

By the time they reached the drawing room, Jane looked ready to collapse, and Alicia hurriedly put a footstool beneath her feet and rang the bell for tea.

Jane sat, one hand on her swollen belly, breathing deeply as the color returned to her cheeks.

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