Page 19 of A Scandalous Love for the Enticing Duke
Victoria was all smiles, grinning from ear to ear as she brimmed with his praise. She retrieved her hand as he released it.
“Such a charmer, as always. When was the last time I saw you, Nicholas? It has been four years I believe? You should show your face more often. You have grown even more handsome.”
“Coming from you, that is the highest of praises. I assume this means our ill deeds have been forgiven?”
“What ill deeds?” was Victoria’s innocent reply, and everyone broke into soft laughter. He moved on from her to Henry whom he was more familiar with, for they met from time to time to discuss business affairs. He took the man’s hand and shook it with genuine eagerness. Williams Birmingham was a good man. One he looked up to, after his father. It was quite surprising that despite such a good relationship, he had never met with his children, before today.
Perhaps it was because their country homes were so far apart and of course, there was the fact that he rarely attended shindigs.
“He keeps getting better by the day. You have done a great job raising such a good man, Henry.”
His father smiled at this, pleased at the compliment. “I have Elizabeth to thank all the more for that. She was more of the instructor; all I did was to provide a good example for him to look up to.”
“That was more than enough, Father. Watching you taught me more than you can ever imagine.”
“I agree with our son, Henry. You have been nothing short of a wonderful Father, a good role model.”
They shared a knowing look which Nicholas thought nothing of. As soon as the formalities were over, including Isabelle and Eleanor meeting his parents, Agnes was nudged forward.
Despite the sadness he felt inside, his lips curved up in a smile as he saw her. One thing could not be denied; Agnes was a beautiful woman. Looking at her face was almost like looking at an older copy of Eleanor. Except that she had brown eyes, and her face was devoid of freckles. If he had not met Eleanor before this, he would have been glad about the good choice his parents had made. Unfortunately, as it was, his heart was already in great danger of belonging to his goddess. Funny to consider that he may be sentenced to a life of heartache, constantly pining for his wife’s younger sister, if he went ahead with this wedding. That would not do, for it was no way to live.
He contemplated announcing that he had changed his mind, that he wanted the youngest Birmingham, but he knew that would be insensitive. He thought of the embarrassment it would mean to this Lady who stood before him. The least he owed her was to respect her pride. His parents had made the proposal, in the first place, after all. No. It would not do to make such declaration, so he would keep quiet and bide his time. Perhaps what he felt for the Lady Eleanor was simply a fluke, and upon spending more time with his betrothed, he would come to develop stronger feelings for her.
Resolved, he took her hand to offer a kiss, holding her eyes as he bowed. He was aware of the lack of reaction to her touch. He felt nothing, absolutely nothing as he held those eyes. Unlike the turbulence he had felt in his heart when he beheld Eleanor, the increased rate of his heartbeat when he stared into those clear pools. Still, he went along with this arrangement.
“The tales do not do you justice, Lady Agnes. That is saying a lot, for they were so great, I almost assumed they were simply exaggerations. Now, I see it is the other way around.” He held on to her hand for effect as he raised, still holding her gaze. “You, are indeed beautiful, my fair lady.”
“I wish I could say the same, but the only thing Mother could tell me was that you are a fine young man. That, I agree with. It is nice to make your acquaintance, Lord Stamford,” a genuine smile crossed her face.
“Please, Nicholas will do just fine. And the pleasure is mine, milady.”
“If you would, then, I insist we drop all the formalities entirely and simply address me as Agnes. The few people I consider friends, call me that.”
Nicholas quirked his brow as a knowing smile spread across his lips. He got what she was hinting at, that she regarded him as a friend, only. If the Lady he was promised to had no romantic interest in him, did he mean he could nurse hope of some sort? “Ahh. In that case, Agnes, it shall be. I am honoured that you think so highly of me, to have given me such a previous position.”
Loud laughter rang through the night air, and they all turned to look at Victoria, its source.
“Oh, but of course! You are to be married!” she cried as she ended her laughter. “You two are going to be friends in the truest and purest of forms, and so much more. Is that not right, Williams? Oh! Look at them already getting along so well!”
She leaned into her husband who put an arm around her. He too had a small smile on his face. It was easy to see that they were very much eager for this liaison to take place, and he feared that he may crush their spirits if it did not. Quickly, he made a disclaimer.
“I agreed with Father and Mother, that I would like to spend some time with the Lady Agnes before offering a formal proposal by myself. You see, I would rather like to establish a relationship of some sort, get to know each other, see if we would fit. I have my excesses, and I am certain the Lady Agnes might have reservations about them. These are things we shall need to discuss first, to see if we can be truly accommodating of each other. Until then, I hope you do not take offence when I say, nothing is set in stone?”
He watched as Victoria’s eyes widened as he spoke, and even though the smile on her face did not falter, it did nothing to settle his apprehension about her response.
“Offence? None shall be taken. It is only wise that you would want this. However, we must bear in mind that courtship only commences after a formal engagement. If you are asking to spend so much time with our daughter, I do not know if we can allow so much, can we, Williams?”
“They are just getting to know one another, Victoria. We did the same too, before I asked for your hand, if you would remember. An informal courtship, you may call it. Allow the children be, darling. It is their time.”
He gave a small sigh at Williams’ words and smiled when he watched the Duke bribe his wife with an affectionate kiss to her forehead.
“You may call for her whenever you wish. Of course, if that is okay by you, Agnes.”
He half expected her to say no as she delayed, so he was quite astonished when he heard her say, “Of course, Father,” with a little curtsy.
“Then it is settled,” Williams announced and everyone cheered – everyone except Eleanor. Even as he tried to give a genuine smile,her expressionless face bothered him more than he would have liked to admit.
Chapter 13
