Page 93 of The Best of Friends
Sitting next to the duke as the preparations for the impromptu festivities swirled around them, Toss said, “I hadn’t intended to cause so much upheaval in your life when I sought refuge here. For that, I am sorry.”
“I assure you, my youngest sister-in-law would have found a reason to declare the necessity of a party whether you were here or not.” His scarred features pulled in a pattern of vexation. “But, her exuberance appears to be providing your Miss Mullins with some enjoyment, which is important. And my wife is always happiest when her family members are happy, so I will not permit Artemis’s enthusiasm to be dampened so long as she is in this house.”
“My parents’ philosophy on family was very much like yours, Your Grace. While they were alive, our home was a happy place.”
“And now that you have the opportunity to soon create your own home and family, which philosophy do you mean to embrace: your parents’ or your brother’s?”
“My parents’, I assure you.”
The duke nodded slowly. “Good choice.”
Daria, her every movement bubbling over with excitement, dropped onto the settee beside Toss. “Isn’t this so very much fun?” She leaned against him, and he set his arms around her. “Duke, Fennel, Tobias, Colm, and Rose will be joining us, but otherwise it is only those of us who live here, yet we still get to plan a soiree. I hadn’t thought of that before. Gatherings don’t need to have a long list of guests to be delightful to plan.”
He kissed the top of her head.
“And if a gathering doesn’t have a long guest list,” she continued, “it needn’t be expensive. That makes it even more possible in lean years.”
They had a great many lean years ahead of them. His income from the apprenticeship would be sufficient for them to obtain humble lodgings and eat, but little else. He’d not yet had the chance to ask her formally if she wanted to share those lowly years with him or if she would prefer to wait, as they’d originally planned, until he was more financially secure. But this moment, in which she excitedly recounted how she could plan the gatherings she loved on a budget as tight as theirs would be, gave him continued hope that they would not have to delay the beginning of their life together. Once he was able to claim a moment of privacy with his darling Daria, he would find out for certain.
Artemis called out to Daria from across the room. “Cook says he has St. Peter’s fish. We should serve that at supper.”
“How perfect! That is a favorite of Rose’s.” Daria hopped up once more, throwing a smile back at Toss before rejoining the ladies in their planning.
“At what point do you suppose I should tell them that I have invited an additional two people tonight?” the duke mused out loud.
The Duke of Kielder, famously reclusive and unsociable, had, of his own accord, invited guests to his house? It was shocking enough that, though the duke’s question was likely rhetorical, Toss answered it just the same. “I suspect your reticence ought to be guided by the retribution you feel you will receive from the duchess if you delay overly long.”
His Grace rose on the instant and moved with purposeful step to where his wife stood. Before he could possibly have relayed any sort of warning, two new arrivals were announced. Twounexpectedarrivals, if Toss were to hazard a guess.
“The Dowager Countess of Lampton, and Mr. Digby Layton.” The butler stepped aside to allow the two visitors to enter.
The room immediately filled with warm welcomes and declarations of delight. If the Duke of Kielder had actually thought his wife would object to the additions—and Toss firmly suspected there had been no such worry—all uncertainty would have fled.
What Toss had expected to be a simple welcome from Mater was instantly turned into a warm embrace.
“This apprenticeship is a godsend, Toss. I am so very happy for you.” It was precisely what his own mother would have said, and he needed to hear it more than he’d realized.
“I am glad the duke invited you to celebrate with us.” He looked at Mr. Layton. “Bothof you. The two of you had a most welcome hand in seeing us through the difficulties of this Season.”
“I am honored to have helped,” Mr. Layton said.
Standing across the room, Daria was watching Toss, a look of delight on her beloved face. He couldn’t begin to express how grateful he was to see her finally claim it free of her parents’ interference. Throwing good manners out the proverbial window, Toss abandoned those he stood nearest and crossed directly to her.
Without hesitation, Daria set her hands in his when he reached her. “The duchess says she suspects her children will be sorely disappointed if you do not play the pianoforte for them this evening.”
Toss raised one of her hands to his lips. “I would never disappoint Lord Falstone or Lady Hestia.” He kissed one knuckle, then another. “But I fear I will disappoint you, my darling.”
“I doubt that very much.”
“I have not yet mastered the art of playingwhiledancing, so I fear I will not be able to dance with you.”
She slipped one of her hands free of his and gently touched his face. “I will be happy as I can imagine being simply sitting next to you, my dearest.”
And, when the time came, that was precisely what she did. Mr. Layton was dancing with the duchess. Artemis and Charlie were dancing together. Mater was undertaking the dance with averyearnest little Lord Falstone. His Grace was watching the scene with an inscrutable expression. Tobias, Colm, Duke, and Fennel took it in turns to spin and twirl and hoist tiny Lady Hestia in the air, looking proud as peacocks every time she giggled with delight. Rose seemed perfectly pleased to be an observer rather than a participant.
And, though Toss would have liked to dance with Daria, having her at his side while he provided the music for the evening was a delight.
Without warning, she pressed a kiss to his cheek.
