Chapter 5

Chapter Five

DINNER WITH THE IN-LAWS

" Y ou cannot be serious; truly, you must be jesting!" Lady Bellmore said, her eyes wide.

Dominic was sitting at the dining table in Bellmore House, the Earl's London home. He had not expected to find his visit to his fake fiancée's house anything other than mildly pleasant and had been surprised to find that so far, the evening had been a most enjoyable one.

If you had told me several hours ago that I would be laughing and joking with my ‘fiancée's' family, I would have said that you were mad. Yet he felt an odd sense of camaraderie as he sat at the table.

He was sitting opposite the Earl at the other end of the table. The Earl's wife sat by his right and on his left was Charlotte. Beside Charlotte sat one of her sisters, and the other sister sat beside their stepmother. Dominic was grateful that the pair were wearing different coloured dresses, or he would have struggled to tell them apart.

He met Lady Bellmore's gaze and smiled. "My dear Lady, I never joke about such things. Hand on my heart, Baron Basildon stood at the door, so inebriated he could barely stand, demanding that the club let him in."

"What time was it?" Lady Evelyn Nettle, one of Charlotte's sisters, asked.

"At a guess? I would say around nine o'clock in the evening," Dominic replied after a moment's thought.

"Why on Earth was he so drunk?" Lady Bellmore frowned.

"Some men are not so well acquainted with the concept of temperance," Charlotte chimed in, and though she did not look directly at him, Dominic had an odd sense she was referring to him.

"I would say the Baron does not even know the meaning of the word. He believes that life should be lived to the fullest." Dominic gestured around him. "After all, are we not all only given one chance at it?"

"Does living life to the fullest often involve such excesses?" Lady Philippa Nettle asked.

"For some people," Charlotte responded, gesturing vaguely. "Rakes and such."

"But not for everyone," Dominic added. "Only oneself can decide what living a good life will look like to them. And of course, one must always be mindful of society and propriety, for what are we if not civilised?"

"Indeed." Lord Bellmore agreed.

"But tell us about the Baron. What happened next?" Lady Philippa Nettle asked.

"Well, he was banging on the door with his walking stick, proclaiming that he needed another glass of whiskey, and eventually, the door opened. And who do you think opened it?" Dominic glanced around the table, inviting guesses from those gathered.

"The club's steward?" Lady Evelyn Nettle ventured, frowning slightly.

Dominic shook his head.

"A bailiff?" Lady Philippa guessed.

He shook his head again. "I do not think you will guess."

"His mother," Lady Bellmore offered though it was obvious the suggestion was more tongue-in-cheek than anything serious.

"A good guess, and it would have been rather a surprise, but no. The person who answered the door was a complete stranger. In fact, it was a woman of about two score and four years, glowering at him."

"A woman? At a gentleman's club?" Lord Bellmore frowned

"That was exactly what the Baron said," Dominic replied

"What did she say?" Lady Evelyn asked.

"I believe it was something along the lines of ‘it is a surprise you can tell that from the state you are in'." Dominic shrugged.

"I believe I like this woman." Charlotte laughed softly, and her sisters joined her.

She has a rather pretty laugh. Dominic laughed with them. "She is a remarkable character."

"And after this woman was so impudent to him?" Lady Bellmore frowned at her daughters.

"The Baron then tried to push past her and demand his whiskey, but the woman barred his way. The Baron remarked that the Club had surely lost its mind if it had resorted to getting women to keep its patrons from the door." Dominic looked around the table.

"It is rather an unusual thing to do," Charlotte admitted, looking at him curiously.

"Indeed, it is. Though I sense there may be more to this story than His Grace is letting on." Lord Bellmore gave Dominic a knowing look, and Dominic suspected that the Earl was acquainted with Baron Basildon.

"Perhaps." Dominic inclined his head towards Lord Bellmore and continued, "The Baron insisted that she let him in and that if she were not willing to do so, then she could at least bring him a whiskey. After all, he deserved it."

"Oh, I'm sure she gave him an earful." Charlotte looked gleeful at the prospect.

Dominic shook his head. "Indeed, she did not. To his surprise, the woman — who up until this point had been rather hostile towards him — smiled and told him to wait there. She said that she would find something that he deserved."

Dominic paused, smiling mischievously before continuing. "A moment later, she returned. But there was no whiskey in sight. In fact, the only thing she was carrying was a rather large saucepan."

"Surely she did not…" Lady Evelyn said, clapping a hand to her mouth as she began to giggle.

"She did. From what I heard, she chased him down the street. You see, the Gentleman's club was several doors away from her house, and she had grown rather tired of drunken nobility showing up at her door," Dominic said.

"I am surprised the Baron did not go to the Magistrate after that." Lady Bellmore frowned

"Few men would want to tell the magistrates that a woman half their size had chased them through the streets of London with a saucepan," Dominic explained.

"I certainly would not." Lord Bellmore agreed.

"Nor would I. Perhaps if she was my size I would." Dominic winked at Lady Bellmore. "Though I do not relish the thought of being chased through the streets by an angry woman with a saucepan."

"Best you hide all the kitchen implements from my sister then," Lady Evelyn said, giggling as she ducked out of Charlotte's reach.

"Evelyn!" Charlotte glowered at her sister.

"Or hope that you never get her angry at the very least," Lady Philippa added in a stage whisper.

"I shall do my very best on both accounts." Dominic replied. He caught Charlotte's sister Evelyn sticking her tongue out at her and forced himself not to laugh.

"But let us return to the story." Lady Bellmore leaned forward, clearly eager to hear more. "What happened after the Baron had been chased?"

"Of course, once the Baron was of sound enough mind, he thought the whole ordeal rather amusing. In fact, he went to the woman the next day to apologise, and well, one thing led to another… And that is how the Baron found himself a wife."

The table erupted into laughter, or at least most of the table did. Out of the corner of his eye, Dominic noted Charlotte frowning at him.

"She sounds like quite the spitfire," Evelyn commented, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.

"She is," Dominic agreed.

"I am sure marriage will have tempered her temper somewhat," Lady Bellmore said, and Dominic caught her glance at Charlotte as she said this.

"Oh no, it has done nothing of the sort," Dominic explained. "If anything, she is more tempestuous than ever before, and the Baron loves her all the more for it."

"Some men prefer a little fight in their women." Charlotte smiled at Lady Bellmore, and an unreadable look passed between them.

"It would appear so; after all, the Duke has asked you to marry him." Lady Bellmore smiled at her daughter before turning and inclining her head towards Dominic.

"I have always preferred women who can hold their own," Dominic replied, grinning in as charming a way as he could manage. "After all, a woman with a strong personality and a good mind is far better company to spend the rest of your life with."

"You see, mother, men don't all want some delicate little wallflower." Charlotte folded her arms across her chest, looking self-satisfied.

"I never said that all men wanted that. Simply that many can find a strong personality somewhat off-putting." Lady Bellmore gestured around them, looking at Dominic for support.

Dominic caught sight of Charlotte and knew he needed to keep both her and her mother on his side. The only question was how. "Well, I personally do not. I like a little… spice in my life. I am sure the Earl would agree, wouldn't you, sir?"

"Of course. My wife's spirit is what won my heart." The Earl reached across and took his wife's hand in his, gently brushing it with his lips. "Her will is like a sea in storm, and any sane man would bow before it."

"Oh, John." Lady Bellmore's expression softened as she looked at her husband, and Dominic realised that the two were still besotted with each other.

An odd emotion stirred in his chest, and memories of a woman with his hair and eyes threatened to swim to the forefront of his mind. The image of her crying. Of finding her… No, I will not think of her now.

Dominic shook his head and looked at the Earl. "Truly, there is something to be said for the attractiveness of tenacious women. So allow me to propose a toast to tenacious women."

The Earl laughed. "To tenacious women."

"May their light ever burn bright." Dominic raised his glass, clinked it with the others, and then drank.

As they finished their toast, and Dominic sensed a relaxed atmosphere to the table, he decided that it would be a good time to broach the subject of Charlotte joining him at the Caverton Estate.

"Lord and Lady Bellmore, I fear I must ask you a favour." Dominic schooled his features into a serious but earnest expression.

"A favour? How intriguing." Lady Bellmore steepled her fingers together and leaned towards him, her chin resting on her hands.

"My grandmother has invited the family to the Caverton Estate, and I thought that this would be a most excellent time to introduce them to Charlotte." Dominic managed not to stumble over his fake fiancée's Christian name, even though using it felt overly familiar.

"And when is this gathering?" Lady Bellmore asked.

"In a fortnight," Dominic replied.

Lady Bellmore exchanged a look with her husband. Out of the corner of his eye, Dominic noticed that Charlotte's two sisters were looking at each other, but neither seemed surprised at his request. She has told them — but how much, I wonder?

"How long will this gathering be?" the Earl asked.

"Unfortunately, I do not know. I imagine it will not be overly long. Perhaps a month or so; definitely not past the end of the season."

"That is quite some time." Lord Bellmore looked thoughtful.

"My grandmother, though I love her dearly, is rather eccentric and has organised various events she would like us to join in whilst we are there." Dominic ran a hand through his hair and added, "The Caverton estate is rather large; there will be plenty of space for your daughter and her chaperone and any servants you may wish to bring."

"I will, of course, accompany Charlotte myself," Lady Bellmore said after a minute. "You must thank the Dowager Duchess for such a kind invitation; I am sure Charlotte will be most delighted to accompany you."

"Of course, I look forward to meeting the Duke's family," Charlotte replied.

"Then it is settled, and I must thank you for allowing Charlotte to join me. I look forward to sharing in both your company," Dominic beamed.

"Perhaps this will finally spur you to purchase a new dress; after all, it has been some years since you have done so, Charlotte." Lady Bellmore looked meaningfully at her daughter.

"Years? That is rather a long time to go without such a thing. Most young women I know seem to have at least three new dresses a season." The Duke canted his head towards Charlotte, who to his surprise coloured and looked slightly embarrassed. I wonder if this is a symptom of some financial trouble.

"Yes, she insisted that she had no need of such things as she had no desire to attract a husband." Lady Bellmore took a sip of her wine. "Thankfully, her sisters are more than happy to follow the fashions of the ton."

Dominic glanced at Lady Evelyn and Lady Philippa and realised that both of them were dressed in the most current fashion. By contrast, Charlotte was wearing a simple dress that was nice but clearly far from new.

He recalled the way she seemed to do everything for her sisters and suspected that Lady Bellmore did not see the truth of Charlotte's refusal. After all, supporting three daughters out in society would be no easy feat.

"This is why I was so surprised to hear of your engagement." Lady Bellmore's voice brought Dominic back to the present.

"Well, as you yourself said, mother, I clearly just needed to meet the right man," Charlotte replied smoothly though her cheeks had reddened.

"And so you have," Dominic added. "And I am very grateful for it."

The table lapsed into silence as the servants began to clear away the dinner plates. After a moment the Earl said, "My dear Duke, would you care to join me in my study for a glass of whiskey? I have several of Byron's works and some of Blake's that you may wish to borrow."

Out of the corner of his eye, Dominic noticed that Charlotte's eyes widened in surprise, but before he could puzzle at it, Lady Philippa said, "Father, you never lend anyone your books. Much less your poetry!"

The Earl smiled at his daughter. "Well, the Duke will soon be family, and I have no doubt he will take good care of all that is precious to me."

"I will treat anything you hold dear with the utmost care." Dominic inclined his head towards Lord Bellmore, feeling an odd stab through his chest. He is worried about his daughter . "And I would be honoured to join you in your study."

"Excellent. I will —" the Earl began, but Charlotte cut him off.

"Actually, father, I wonder if you might permit me a moment with my fiancé before you adjourn together? Just a quick stroll in the garden,; one of the maids can accompany us." Charlotte rested a gentle hand on her father's arm.

"Of course, my dear. I would not want to stand in the way of young love." Lord Bellmore gave her a kiss on the head.

"Thank you, Father," Charlotte answered.

Dominic kept his face neutral as he stood, bowing to the Earl and his wife as he moved towards Charlotte. Her expression was unreadable, and he found himself wondering just what she wanted to talk to him about. Perhaps she means to give me some advice to win her father over though he already seems to be fond of me .

Together, they made their way towards the garden, one of the maids following a little behind them. The night air was cool against his skin, and he fell into step beside Charlotte.

Before he could ask what she wanted of him, his ‘fiancée' hissed, "Just what on Earth do you think you're doing?"