Page 20 of ?n Arranged Betrothal with a Blind Duke
“Henry,” Adrian said, rising from his seat. “Please, come join us.”
Henry made his way to the table and took the seat beside Adrian. The servants immediately served the three of them, and there was a moment of napkin placement and silverware arrangement. Then, Henry clapped Adrian on the back, and Adrian could feel his friend’s smile.
“Good evening, Adrian,” he said. “Thank you for having me for dinner.”
Adrian grinned at his friend.
“It is our pleasure,” he said. “How have you been since we last spoke?”
Henry chuckled, clapping his hands together.
“I have been thinking about the upcoming fair,” he said. “I think I will actually do a little something to actually participate in it this year.”
Marjorie murmured approvingly from her end of the dining table.
“Is that so?” she asked. “What is it that you’ll be doing?”
Adrian kept his gaze fixed on his friend, intrigued. Henry cleared this throat, clearly for dramatic effect. Adrian held his breath, waiting for his friend to answer.
“Well, my dear friends,” Henry declared with a proud smile, “I shall be participating in the highly anticipated horse race. Prepare to witness my prowess as a rider.”
Marjorie and Adrian applauded. Adrian’s heart dropped at yet another mention of horseback riding, but he would not let his renewed unease ruin his friend’s announcement. He knew that Henry was proud of his equestrian skills. He would be nothing but thrilled and supportive for his friend.
“That’s terrific,” Adrian said. “You can count on my support.”
Marjorie clapped her hands together, clearly pleased with Adrian’s response.
“And mine, as well, dear Henry,” she said.
As the evening progressed, Adrian found his thoughts of Henry’s horse racing event dwindling and the weight of Marjorie's earlier words returning to his mind. He couldn't help but steal glances at her across the table, feeling her gaze on him more than once. He would have never considered the notion of marrying Miss Ludlow on his own. But now that the thought was in his mind, it wouldn’t leave.
As the night drew to a close, he longed for the solitude of his bedchamber, where he could confront the weighty thoughts that burdened his heart. When the meal ended, Marjorie bade Henry and Adrian a good night, kissing her nephew softly on the cheek. Her gaze lingered on him a second longer than normal, and her words came rushing back to him. Would you consider marrying Miss Ludlow?
Adrian prepared to escort Henry to the door. Normally, he would have invited his friend to stay and enjoy some port with him. But his thoughts had left him weary, and he ached for the comfort of his bed.
Henry must have noticed. He put a hand on Adrian’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Is everything all right, Adrian?” he asked, his voice filled with concern.
Adrian gave his friend a tight smile. He wasn’t ready to further discuss anything regarding the idea of marrying Miss Ludlow right then. So, he simply nodded, giving his arms an exaggerated stretch of fatigue.
“Of course, Henry,” he said. “I had a fitful night last night, and I feel especially tired this evening.”
Henry squeezed once more before releasing Adrian’s shoulder. There was a pause, and Adrian feared that his friend wouldn’t be convinced. But then, Henry yawned, chuckling at himself as he did.
“Forgive me,” he said as the yawn finished. “It seems I’m in the same boat.”
Adrian leaned on his cane, patting his friend on the back with his free hand.
“Then, off with you,” he said. “You will need plenty of rest for your practice before the fair. Not that you need any practice at all.”
Henry was silent, but Adrian could practically hear his grin.
“I do need my beauty sleep, though,” he said playfully.
Adrian chuckled.
“Ten years of sleep could not make you beautiful,” he teased.
