Page 94 of The Best of Friends
“What was that for?” he asked, hoping to discover how to get her to do it again.
“Because I love you.”
Toss ended the tune. It was admittedly abrupt, but he’d been prevented all day from telling Daria what was in his heart and asking her directly what her wishes were for their immediate future. She’d managed, in a quick and not entirely private moment, to speak from her heart. It was time and past he did the same.
The others in the room had stopped their dancing and had turned to look at him.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his eyes darting from them to Daria and back again. “I’ll resume playing, I promise, I need to— I want to—” Laws, this had gone all wrong. A not-entirely-private moment would have worked, but confessing his love and asking how and when she wanted to begin their lives together while being watched this closely by a roomful of people, including her brother, was not going to work at all. “Doesn’t anyone else in this room play the pianoforte? Even very poorly?”
The duchess took pity on him and stepped away from the group. “I will take your place for however long you would like.” To the others she said, “But do lower your expectations; my abilities are middling at best.”
Toss offered his musical replacement a bow of gratitude. He then took Daria’s hand in his and led her away from the pianoforte. She looked entirely pleased with the arrangement. The Daria he had met at the Brier Hill house party would have worried about making a misstep or word getting back to her parents that she had done something that could be construed as rude. It did Toss’s heart good to see the change in her.
They’d not crossed even halfway to the door of the music room when Gordon stepped inside and, as he had done so many times during Toss’s time at Falstone House, announced an unexpected visitor. This time, the butler allowed his annoyance to show ever so slightly. “Mr. Laurence Comstock.”
On instinct, Toss stepped a bit in front of Daria, shielding her from his brother. Laurence wouldn’t physically hurt a lady, but Toss couldn’t be certain he wouldn’tsaysomething hurtful.
To Their Graces, Gordon said, “I did ask him to remain in the entryway while I inquired as to your availability to receive uninvited visitors.”
“We are well enough acquainted with the elder Mr. Comstock to know where the blame for this breach of etiquette lies,” His Grace said.
“I have come to speak with my brother,” Laurence said. “Discussions with family do not require the same formality.”
The duke’s gaze narrowed. “Are you lecturing me on propriety in my own home?”
Unlike Mr. Mullins during his ill-fated visit to Falstone House, Laurence realized his mistake quickly. “I apologize, Your Grace. I have allowed my anxiousness to cloud my judgment.”
The duke met Toss’s eye, an unspoken question passing between them. The Dangerous Duke was willing to send Laurence away if Toss wished him to do so. Toss gave a slight shake of his head; he was willing to give his brother a chance.
“What is it you wanted, Laurence?” Toss asked.
“I received a letter from Mrs. Mullins, asking me to ask you to ask Miss Mullins to ask the Duke of Kielder to allow Mr. and Mrs. Mullins to return to London.” Laurence shook his head. “Though I couldn’t entirely make sense of it all, it sounded as though you or she might be in some sort of trouble. I was concerned.”
To say Toss was shocked by Laurence’s explanation would have been a tremendous understatement. It had been a very long time since Laurence had expressed any degree of concern for Toss that couldn’t more accurately be described as concern for himself.
“Miss Mullins’s parents have recently found themselves in a spot of difficulty.” Toss didn’t wish to delineate exactly what had happened, not wanting to embarrass Daria. “They have pestered everyone they can think of in the hope of extricating themselves.”
Laurence’s gaze shifted to Daria for a moment before returning to Toss. “They are not causing you trouble, are they?”
“No,” Toss said.
“Good.” Laurence offered an abbreviated bow. “I will not impose upon the household any longer.” That really was all Laurence had come to Falstone House to do? He was simply concerned?
Laurence turned and left the music room, but Daria stepped out from behind Toss and followed his path, calling out “Mr. Comstock” as she did.
Toss was frozen with surprise for an embarrassingly drawn-out moment before trodding the same path.
“I would like to meet her,” Daria was saying to Laurence. “And I know it would mean a lot to him. Please at least consider it.”
Laurence spotted Toss approaching. “Congratulations appear to be in order.”
“For what, precisely?”
“There is more than one possibility?” Laurence clearly doubted that was possible.
“I have had an eventful few days.”
Looking impressed despite himself, Laurence said, “I’d be interested in hearing about your good fortune . . . good fortunes.”
