Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

ASSUMPTIONS AND IMPRESSIONS

" G ad, I am so tired; I have no idea how I am going to get through the next few hours." Dominic stifled a yawn as he walked down the great staircase towards the dining hall for dinner.

Dominic was shattered. He loved his family deeply, but he had forgotten just how insistent they could be. He felt like he must be in perfect form at all times . It was exhausting.

From the moment he had arrived, people had seemed to want something of him. Practically as soon as he stepped out of the carriage, three of his female cousins had found him and waylaid him with questions and banter.

"At least we will be able to sit down. My feet ache from so much walking." His cousin Cecily gestured to her feet and shook her head. "Do not forget, you promised to sit beside me at dinner."

"How could I forget? Besides, we are walking to the hall together if you had not noticed," Dominic teased her.

Cecily looped an arm through his as they made their way down the stairs towards the dining hall. "I know that you will need a break, dear Cousin, and I promise I will only look as though I am talking your ear off."

"I know you Cecily, and I am sure you will talk my ear off at some point as I will no doubt return the favour."

"Yes, but I will also keep the others from being too demanding of your time and energy. I think all of us will need a rest."

"Thank you." Dominic smiled at her. "I appreciated you keeping Georgiana and Emmeline in check earlier."

"I love my sister and cousin Emmeline, but together, they can both be rather a lot. Besides, you had only just arrived, and you are far too polite to tell them to leave you alone." Cecily laughed and gave him a knowing look.

Dominic could not help but return her smile. "In fairness, I was enjoying their company."

"I am sure you were, just as I am sure you were itching to get to your rooms and unpack your things," Cecily said.

"Well, how else was I supposed to change in time for dinner? Can you imagine what Grandmother would have said if I had dared appear unchanged?" Dominic shuddered.

His grandmother had once grabbed one of his cousins by his ear and marched him from the room because he had worn the wrong sort of tails for dinner. Though it had been funny, no one had dared repeat the faux pas.

"It does not bear thinking about. But do not pretend it was just for that that you wanted the escape. I know you wanted a few moments to yourself before everything descended into complete and utter madness," Cecily said gesturing around them.

Dominic raised an eyebrow and jerked his head at the milling people around them. A castle may be large, but we are a rather large brood. "Descended? Are we not already there?"

"You know as well as I that the Inheritance Championship is going to make this madness practically tame," Cecily replied airily.

"Has she changed the name again?" he asked.

"Yes. Cousin Thomas and I have a wager on how many times she changes the name before the games are over." Cecily held up both hands. "My bet is seven. Thomas has guessed twenty-three but I think that is extravagant even by Grandmother's standards. After all, how many names can she possibly come up with?"

"Well, we are at… three already?" Dominic counted them off on his fingers. "I will join your wager — I expect she will change the name thirteen times in total."

"A rather unlucky number." Cecily frowned.

"When has grandmother ever cared for luck? The woman would spit in the Devil's face and laugh." Dominic glanced around them, only slightly concerned his grandmother would overhear him.

"I doubt even he would mess with Grandmother." Cecily was also looking around. "Though I confess, my desire to sit beside you was not entirely altruistic."

"Was it not?" Dominic canted his head towards her.

"No," she replied, a mischievous look in her eyes. "I wanted to hear more about your intended."

"Well, I am sure you will meet her at dinner." Dominic shrugged.

"I cannot believe you did not tell me you were engaged!" Cecily prodded him gently, and he could hear the hurt in her voice.

He scrambled to think of some plausible excuse that would not give the game away that would lessen his cousin's hurt feelings. "I… It has been rather a long time since we have seen each other, and I did not want to write it in a letter. Engagements seem like that kind of thing one should tell someone in person, don't you think?"

"I suppose. And I suppose I can forgive you. Where is your intended anyway?" Cecily glanced around them though in the milling crowd, it was hard to see anyone.

An excellent question. He glanced around for some sign of Charlotte, spotting her waiting in the entrance hall with her mother. The benefit of being tall. When their eyes met, she inclined her head towards him but did not quite smile.

"Let me speak to Charlotte a moment, and then I shall introduce you to each other." Dominic slipped his arm out of Cecily's grip.

"Fine, but you know patience is not one of my virtues," Cecily pouted.

"I am all too aware of this fact, dear Cecily." He grinned at her as he made his way to his fiancée and her stepmother.

He bowed low as he approached them, smiling at both women. "Lady Bellmore, Lady Charlotte. It is good to see you both."

"And you, Your Grace." Lady Bellmore replied, curtsying.

Charlotte said nothing but curtsied as well.

"How was your journey? I had thought I might greet you on your arrival, but we must have missed each other." Dominic canted his head towards Charlotte.

"Or perhaps you were simply otherwise occupied, Your Grace. After all, I know it is rather hard to hold your attention," Charlotte replied smoothly, and he thought he detected a hint of irritation in her voice.

"I am never too busy for you, my dear, as well you know," Dominic replied.

"Do I?" Charlotte arched an eyebrow towards him.

"I suspect my daughter is rather tired from our journey which while pleasant was rather long," Lady Bellmore interjected, glancing between Charlotte and Dominic.

"Of course." They drifted into an uncomfortable silence with Charlotte clearly not wanting to look him in the eyes. After a while, Dominic said, "You look wonderful by the way."

"Thank you," Charlotte replied, her tone distant.

"Those dresses you had made for her really are divine. They fit her perfectly. Truly, a most thoughtful gift. Do you not think so, Charlotte?" Lady Bellmore gave her daughter a sharp look.

"I have already told His Grace that I appreciate his generosity," Charlotte replied.

"Well, it does not hurt to say so again." Lady Bellmore smiled at him.

Dominic could sense troubled waters with Charlotte and her stepmother and decided that a swift change in subject would be in order. "And you are well, My Lady?"

"Of course, I am; why would I not be?" Charlotte snapped.

"Well, your Mother—" Dominic began, but Charlotte cut him off as she corrected, "Stepmother."

"Stepmother," he amended. Why do I feel as though I have put my hand in a hornet's nest? "She said that you were tired from your journey."

"I am. Though I imagine I am less tired than you with all your… socialising." Charlotte smiled at him though he saw daggers in the expression.

He sensed a hidden barb beneath her words, but before he could say anything, he felt a touch on his arm.

"Might I join you?" Cecily peered around, smiling at everyone she could see.

My cousin's patience has reached its limit it would seem. "Let me introduce you." Dominic gestured to each of the women in turn and said, "This is Lady Charlotte Nettle and Lady Bellmore. Allow me to introduce you to my cousin, Lady Cecily Nightingale, daughter of the Earl of Rochdale."

"Lady Nightingale, a pleasure to meet you," Lady Bellmore replied curtsying.

"And you, Lady Bellmore." Cecily returned the gesture.

"A pleasure to meet you." Charlotte curtsied but Dominic could not quite read her expression.

"My cousin has agreed that I might sit by him at dinner, and I assume this means I will have the pleasure of your company as well?" Cecily glanced at both Charlotte and Lady Bellmore.

"I had been asked to dine sitting next to some of the other chaperones and will take my leave of you," Lady Bellmore replied, giving Charlotte a significant look before departing.

"Shall we go in?" Dominic asked, gesturing towards the dining hall.

"Yes, I am absolutely famished!" Cecily nodded enthusiastically.

"I was just telling my cousin how displeased I was with him — after all, I cannot believe he did not tell me he was engaged!" Cecily exclaimed as they took their seats at one of the many tables in the great dining hall.

"He kept it a secret from us all, Cecily. Sly dog that he is!" a man's voice called out.

Dominic turned to see one of the more distantly related cousins — Benjamin Alders fixing him with a stern look.

"As I have already explained to Cecily, I felt the announcement should be done properly and in person," Dominic answered, trying to keep his voice calm and cool.

"It was such a surprise to me that I nearly choked on my own drink," Benjamin said.

"My Cousin, the eternal bachelor, engaged! And bringing his intended to the Worthiness Battles," Cecily's sister, Georgiana chimed in.

"Grandmother has changed the name again?" Benjamin asked, sliding into a free seat at the table.

"That's four." Dominic murmured to Cecily, who giggled.

"And I assume this picture of perfection is the woman who is unlucky enough to be promised to our own Dorson?" Benjamin winked at Charlotte.

Dominic saw Charlotte's cheeks flush with colour as she nodded and said, "I am Lady Charlotte Nettle, Daughter of Earl Bellmore."

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Nettle. I am Benjamin Alders, third son to Baron Grimbsy." Benjamin grinned at her.

"And yours, Mr. Grimbsy." Charlotte inclined her head towards him.

"And how did you two meet?" Georgiana gestured between the two of them.

"We were introduced at Lord Winterbloom's ball," Charlotte replied smoothly.

"I do not recall seeing either of you dancing at the ball." Cecily frowned.

"I had a need of air, and we spent much of it talking on the veranda," Dominic interjected. "And unfortunately, I had to leave early. I had a spot of trouble with one of my business ventures that needed tending to. That is why I like to think of our first meeting as Lady Danterbury's masquerade."

"Business kept you from spending time with Lady Charlotte? And you still agreed to marry him?" Benjamin shook his head in disbelief.

"Lady Charlotte knows where my priorities are. She understands what is important," Dominic replied, shrugging.

"I do indeed." Charlotte agreed, an odd look flitting across her face.

"I would have given him an earful." Cecily gave him a frank look. "Honestly, if any man had wished to court me and then abandoned me for business, he would get the sharp end of my tongue."

"Well, it is a good thing that My Lady is not as fiery as you. She is rather more patient and amenable," he teased.

"She must be if she is to put up with you for the rest of her life," Benjamin laughed.

"And what of the rest of your courtship?" Georgiana asked.

"What do you mean?" Charlotte canted her head towards Cecily.

"Well, how did you two fall in love? I cannot recall seeing the two of you together often." Cecily looked between Dominic and Charlotte.

"Yes, Dorson, the whole affair seems rather cloak and dagger — an engagement that suddenly comes about in time for these games? A little convenient, do you not think?" Benjamin gave him a suspicious look. "Especially from a cousin who has been so staunchly against such things."

"I have had other priorities." Dominic shrugged. "Perhaps I was simply waiting until I found the right woman."

"A woman you have rarely been seen with and whom no one even knew you were courting." Benjamin narrowed his eyes.

"Our courtship was an unusual one," Charlotte said.

"Indeed, it was. After all, I was away for most of the season," Dominic added.

"How on Earth did you court?" Cecily exclaimed.

"We wrote each other letters," Dominic gestured vaguely.

"Letters?" Benjamin raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, letters," Dominic said. "You know they say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and well… clearly, it has worked. After all, my darling fiancée is terribly fond of me."

"And that was what drew you to Dorson?" Benjamin asked. "I imagine a woman like you could have her pick of men."

"Perhaps it is my irresistible good looks and charm," Dominic replied, with a slight pang of irritation as he noticed the way Charlotte smiled at Benjamin.

"Well, it was certainly not your humility," Charlotte retorted.

"Why be humble when you can be amiable?" Dominic shrugged, winking at Charlotte.

"You make it sound as though the two are mutually exclusive." Charlotte canted her head towards him.

"I never said that. Just that if I had to choose, I would rather be liked than praised for my humility," he replied, trying to read the expression on her face.

"I can see that," Charlotte replied, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.

"And is this witty banter how you stole my cousin's heart?" Cecily asked.

Charlotte turned to her. "I would not say I have stolen his heart."

"And why is that?" Benjamin leaned forwards.

Dominic felt a stab of fear in his chest. Is she about to give the game away? What on Earth is she playing at?

"Because My Lady is no thief. Only a most honourable and virtuous woman," Dominic replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "Besides she does not care for the chase; she would rather things simply grew naturally."

"I was going to say it is because a heart cannot be stolen, only freely given," Charlotte said, an odd look in her eyes.

Dominic was taken aback by the sentiment in her words. He looked at her quizzically, and as their gazes met, he saw something dangerous in her eyes. Why do I feel as though I am about to walk into a trap?

He swallowed, and more to diffuse some of the tension that had spread into the room, he said, "A sweet notion, but a rather na?ve one, do you not think?"

He regretted the words as soon as he said them.