Chapter 27

Chapter 27

"I do not know why I am so nervous to do this."

"It is very long overdue, for both of us," Dorian said as he placed a hand on Claire's knee. "Rest assured that there is nothing further that she can do to us. We do not have to abide by her wishes nor live in fear of her vicious tongue any longer."

"I suppose it is just the memory of her temper and the horrible rumors she spread about me for so many years that plagues me. I must remember that she cannot keep us apart any longer," Claire said with a firm nod. Though Dorian noted the anxious way her fists were clenched around her skirts.

Her shoulders were bunched up nearly to her ears as the carriage pulled around to the front of Dorian's estate.

He had not been back in three days. He certainly did not regret a single moment of those three days. They had been making many important plans about their future, talking of their wedding, and getting to know Eleanor as much as he could in the short time.

"I shall be by your side for every moment of it, I swear it to you. We will never have to be parted again unless you wish it," Dorian assured her as he leaned over to press a chaste kiss against her cheek.

The carriage door opened and Dorian stepped out to see Dolores already standing on the front steps with her arms folded across her chest. She looked as if she were about to produce steam from her ears. She was positively frothing as she stomped down the steps toward them.

The sun was only just starting to rise overhead. Dorian had hoped his sister would still be asleep and they might break the happy news over breakfast but it appeared they were to do this outside.

He tried his best to ignore her as he held out a hand for Claire to take. He took great care in ensuring that she did not slip and fall. He kept one hand always on her in some capacity or another until she took his arm and stood by his side. He could have kissed her again for the confident way she lifted her chin to Dolores' proximity. She might not feel genuine confidence but she certainly looked the part.

"What is the meaning of this?" Dolores demanded.

The surest way to ensure Dolores lost her temper was to ignore her. So, that was exactly what Dorian chose to do. With Claire on his arm, he simply walked around his sister and headed inside of the estate. She followed behind them in an angry huff.

"What is the meaning of this? Do not ignore me, Dorian! I deserve to know what you are doing! What if you were seen? What if there were rumors stirring once more that you two are an item? Do you have no regard for your mother? For me? For this house? Dorian? Dorian!" Dolores continued her rant all the way into the dining room. It did not even seem as if she paused for a long enough period to properly gather a breath.

When they arrived at the breakfast table, Dorian pulled out the chair to the right of the head of the table and gestured kindly for Claire to take her place. Her neck was starting to flush. The irritation she must be feeling was causing even the tips of her ears to turn red, but her face remained passive.

Dolores, however, did not take the seat that would have been obviously placed for her. It was only then, as she stood steaming to his left side, that Dorian turned to look her in the eye.

"Have you quite finished yet?"

His sister certainly did not like that comment. "Finished? We have not even begun! You have not offered a single word of explanation nor does any of this make sense! Dorian, have you wholly lost your mind? Shall I call a physician?"

"That is enough." Dorian warned, but Dolores was only gaining speed.

"Honestly, brother, I knew your infatuation ran deep, but I did not think that your stupidity did, too. You have brought this harlot into our home? You have her seated as if she is your equal when she scorned you before and did not even mourn the loss of you? What can you possibly be thinking? She is nothing! She is beneath you!"

Dorian's hand twitched. He had never stuck his sister before, nor any woman. But it was the closest he had ever come in his life. He would not endure Dolores speaking about Claire in such terms. He rose so quickly that his chair wobbled in place.

Just then, their mother appeared in the doorway. "What is going on? I heard shouting."

"Good morning, Mother, would you like to join us? Whatever they are preparing in the kitchens smells wonderful." Dorian gestured for his mother to sit.

"It does indeed," Mary started just before she noticed Claire. "And we have company! I would have dressed nicer if…"

"She is not company. Do not speak about her as if she is a welcome guest!" Dolores fumed.

"My fiancée is welcome to go anywhere in my home that she pleases. But you are right. I do not think that technically makes her a guest," Dorian said with a smirk. "As such, I think you owe her words of congratulations and apology."

Dolores turned to look at him, her eyes narrowed into slits and her teeth ground together. "I will do no such thing."

"I am endeavoring to keep a civil tongue in your presence, sister, but you are making it incredibly difficult. My tolerant and kind fiancée is also doing her best to remain calm. If you cannot sit down and celebrate our news, then I am not certain you have a place in my household any longer," Dorian said as evenly as he could manage. He could not, however, stop himself from glaring at her. If his expression was intimidating, he could not get it under control.

"You know not what you say, brother. You have been bewitched by her, that much is plain to see. I helped you see the truth once, and I will do so again if I must." Dolores started to turn away from the dining hall, but Dorian spoke again.

"Your efforts were impressive, I will admit that much. While I would like to hope that deep down your efforts were made with pure intentions and familial affection, they did not result in happiness for anyone involved. I am certain you think you know what is best, but I am a man, and the earl, and your advice and constant meddling will no longer be needed," Dorian explained.

He glanced at Claire, who smiled at him encouragingly.

Dolores would never simply allow him to have the final word.

"I am going to summon the constables. I do not know what she has done, but I will find a way to restore your sanity, brother. I am deeply sorry it had to come to this. Know that I only act in your best interest." Dolores transformed her expression from outright rage into one of concern and something akin to fear as she regarded Dorian.

"Summon them. Do as you please, but know that no matter what harebrained scheme it is that you are about to partake in, I have already arranged for all of your things to be packed and delivered to our estates in Bath. In fact, my men ought to be heading up to your rooms as we speak."

"What?"

"It brings me no pleasure to send you away. But if you continue to be unreasonable then you leave me no choice. I will not allow you to sabotage mine and my future wife's happiness any longer. Claire is more than capable of taking up her duties as lady of the house."

It was Claire's turn to smirk at Dolores.

Only then did she seem to truly understand the predicament that she was in. She had no more cards to play. She had no more tricks up her sleeve or manipulations to spout.

"You cannot do this, Dorian." Dolores' voice became tinged with panic.

"You have done this to yourself. I had truly hoped that after our previous conversations, you would be able to find it in your heart to be happy for me. I had wanted this to go differently. I held out hope despite it all, but you have corrupted yourself. Your greed and ambition has poisoned you. Time in the country will do you good," Dorian added softly.

"You! This is your fault!" Dolores brandished an accusatory finger at Claire.

"You have stolen years of happiness from us, Dolores," Claire said flatly. She would not be cowed by her any longer. "Years that you have been a part of our lives, had you not chosen to keep us separated. Years that we could have grown to be proper sisters, but you chose this instead. You could not open your heart, and thus you have allowed your bitterness and hate to fester."

"I shall not go." Dolores finally plopped herself in a chair.

"You will. But fear not, there shall be plenty for you to occupy yourself with at the second estate. Messy finances and books that need to be re-done. A whole house for you to control and operate at your leisure. It will be the best opportunity for you to use your intellect for good. If you are capable of such a thing," Dorian insisted.

Two men came to the entrance of the dining room and bowed their heads in greeting to Dorian. He did not know them well, but he knew they were trustworthy help to escort his sister out of London.

"I hope you will find more noble things to focus on than orchestrating the social lives of those around you," Dorian said with sincerity.

"Just like that?" Dolores asked. "You shall turn your back on me without further regard to my own wishes? I have displeased you so you will send me away?"

Dorian's head cocked to the side. "Is that not exactly what you had done to me? I chose a future that you had not planned for me, so you had our father send me away. How is this any different?"

Dolores had nothing to say to that. She certainly could not deny it. Her mouth snapped shut as she took a long, lingering look at those around the table. Dorian did feel poorly that she was watching all of her carefully pinned games and intrigues fall apart. Perhaps she would gain some perspective while she was away. He certainly had.

Claire reached across the table to take Dorian's hand, and he was only too happy to accept.

Dolores stared at their joined hands for a long moment. Then, she silently rose from her chair. She likely had plenty more to say, but Dorian hoped he could take it as a good omen of fortune that she was leaving of her own accord. Albeit begrudgingly.

As Dolores was escorted out of the hall, the servants started to bring in their breakfast, though it did not feel right to enjoy the meal knowing what he had just done. It was for the best, he knew that. There would not be any way for him and Claire to be together if Dolores were still here.

More importantly, Eleanor would have not been able to grow up surrounded by the love she deserved had his sister stayed. Perhaps in time, she would learn that she was an aunt and be joyful of it. For now, Dorian turned his focus to his mother instead.

She caught his wry smile and gazed at him curiously. "What is the matter? I do not think I could take any more excitement."

He hoped that from this moment forward, there would be nothing but good news inside these walls.

"Mother, would you like to meet your granddaughter?"