Page 81 of Unmasked By a Captivating Lady
He gazed at his wife across the dinner table now, catching his breath. Ara looked especially radiant tonight, in a flowing magenta gown, her golden hair twisted into a loose chignon at the nape of her neck.
He kept studying her, trying to work it out. She was always beautiful to him, of course, but there was justsomethingabout her tonight that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. It was as if she was lit from within, somehow. Her dark eyes sparkled vivaciously, as she sipped her wine, talking to her mother, who was seated next to her.
He was so distracted in his contemplation of Ara that he didn’t notice at first that Andrew had risen to his feet, and was clearing his throat, until his brother tapped a knife on the side of his crystal wineglass, for attention.
The chatter slowly faded away, as everyone stared at the Duke, who was fidgeting nervously with his cufflinks. Miles studied him curiously. What was going on?
He glanced back at Ara, who shrugged her shoulders at him, obviously as oblivious to what was going on as he was.
Andrew nervously cleared his throat again. “Sorry for the interruption,” he said, gazing over the occupants of the table. “I promise I shan’t take uptoomuch of your time, and then we can all get back to the serious business of consuming this fine French merlot my brother has managed to procure for the evening…”
Everyone laughed. As it died down, Miles gazed at his brother, mystified. Andrew was so obviously anxious, pulling at his cufflinks, and he was flushed, with a thin sheen of sweat covering his face.
Andrew took a deep breath. “As you know, I have been spending a lot of time in Dorset.” He gazed at Miles and Ara. “I have been wanting to spend time with my brother and new sister-in-law, of course, at their beautiful new home. But thereisanother reason, that I have been journeying here, as well…”
His eyes lingered on Ruth, who blushed faintly.
“I have been a bachelor a long time,” he continued slowly. “And for most of my life, I have enjoyed all the benefits that bachelorhood offers, and never wanted for anything else.” He took a deep breath. “But in the last year, I have felt an emptiness at the superficiality of the social scene, and longed to settle down with one special lady, who values me for who I am, rather than seeking just my title.”
Miles felt tears prick behind his eyes, listening to his older brother. He knew more than anyone else at this table how lonely Andrew had become, and how desperately he yearned to settle down.
Andrew inhaled deeply. “Most of you here tonight will remember the ball that I held in London, to meet all the eligible young ladies of the season…”
There was a ripple around the table. Miles glanced at Ara, who flushed, just a little. Even though they had long resolved it, any mention of the Duke’s ball, where they had fought so publicly, causing a minor scandal, still hit a raw nerve.
Miles smiled at his wife, reaching across the table to take her hand. Ara smiled back, squeezing his hand tightly. Her mother looked on approvingly.
Andrew took another deep breath. “Well, I am happy to say that the ball gave me the opportunity to meet a lovely young lady.” He stared at Ruth. “The lady who is sitting across from me, tonight. Miss Ruth Nott.”
Ruth’s blush deepened, as all eyes fell on her. Miles knew that she never liked to be the centre of attention. Ara’s cousin was very shy. In the six months they had been married, he still didn’t know Ruth very well. Every time he tried to talk to her, she would become tongue tied.
“Miss Nott is the reason I have been spending so much time here,” Andrew continued, gazing at her tenderly. “And tonight, I am over the moon to announce to you all that I have asked her to be my wife, and she has accepted.” His face broke out into a huge grin. “We are formally announcing our engagement…”
The table erupted, before he could finish speaking. Ara leapt up from her chair, rushing to her cousin, enveloping her in a fierce hug.
“Iknewit!” she cried. “I knew there was something special between you both! You have been a sly thing, Ruth, to have kept this from me!”
Ruth laughed, her blue eyes glittering. “Andrew made me promise, cousin. It was to be a surprise, for you all.”
Ara laughed, too. “Well, you have certainly managed that, then, haven’t you!” She hugged her cousin tighter. “Oh, I am so happy for you, Ruth!”
Ruth sighed. “I am so happy, Ara. It was a dream come true, when the Duke proposed to me…”
Miles watched as Ara swept her cousin away, to the corner of the room. Mrs. Nott trailed after them, determined to be in on the action.
He stared at his brother. Mr. Nott was patting him on the back, congratulating him. Miles stared at his father-in-law. He alone must have been in on the surprise; as Ruth’s legal guardian, Andrew would have had to ask him for permission to wed her, just as he had done for Ara.
“Well done, old chap,” said Mr. Nott, his eyes twinkling. “Both my girls are well taken care of! I swear that Grace and I shall not know what to do now, rambling around that large house by ourselves…”
“Thank you, sir,” said Andrew. “Thank you for giving your seal of approval. I know that it means a lot to Ruth. You are as dear as a father to her.”
“Just look after her,” said Mr. Nott gruffly. “That is all I ask. Ruth has been like a second daughter to me, as well. Her late father, my dear departed brother, entrusted me with her, and now I entrust her to you, your Grace.”
Andrew’s eyes glimmered with tears. “You have my word, sir, that I shall love and protect her, for the rest of my days. She is a rare woman, and I love and admire her greatly.”
Miles felt overwhelmed with joy. His only brother had just announced his engagement, to a woman he truly loved, and who loved him in return. He could not have hoped for anything better for the both of them.
“Congratulations, brother,” he whispered, holding out his hand. “You did it, at long last. You found that special lady, who can look past your title and see who you really are.”
