Chapter 19

William knew from the moment he saw Miss Staunton that day that something was very wrong indeed, but he simply put it down to what his mother had revealed to her and thought nothing more of it.

A party had to be held that evening, because of course it did, and again he was unable to find a way out of it. He wondered if his mother truly did have any concerns about him hiding away or if she merely enjoyed watching him squirm. He knew that the former was the case, but it didn't help matters at all.

Nor did it make Miss Staunton talk to him.

"Miss Staunton?" He said for what felt like the hundredth time that day, "Are you positive that nothing is wrong?"

"Yes, I"m fine," she replied, "Why wouldn't it be?"

Because the gentleman promised to you is completely unaware of the fact, perhaps.

William studied her for a moment, trying to find anything at all in her. He no longer cared whether it was good or bad, he simply needed something, but there was nothing there. The lady before him almost wasn't Miss Staunton at all, and he didn't like it at all.

"Alright then," he said, "But if you need anything this evening, don"t hesitate to let me know."

Olivia offered a grateful smile in response, but as William turned away, he heard her exhale softly. She was not being honest with him, but he couldn't force her to tell him as much. She would do so in her own time, or at least he hoped that she would.

A quadrille began, and strangely enough that meant that Scott, the two gentlemen, and Miss Margaret could partake. Conveniently, that left him and Miss Staunton alone. At last, she cast a sidelong glance at William, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.

"It seems we"re the odd ones out," she remarked, "The least favorites."

William chuckled softly in agreement, glad to hear a hint of wit return to her at last.

"It would appear so," he replied, "Which, considering my position, does not bode well for me, does it?"

"Not particularly," she laughed gently, shaking her head, "Though I will say that I never much enjoyed dancing, anyway. My toes certainly do not miss it, at least."

"I couldn"t agree more. That is likely why I have never much bothered with it."

"You have never danced with a lady?"

"To be sure, but I have never once enjoyed it. It is far too formal and ritualistic."

"I would have thought formal and ritualistic to be something you were fond of."

"Then I suppose I keep you guessing," he laughed, "So, do you think you"ll dance with him tonight?"

Olivia"s expression turned contemplative for a moment.

"Probably not. Scott doesn"t even know he"s my suitor. Virginia told me as much this morning."

"Ah. Yes…"

"It is alright, Your Grace. I am aware that you knew."

"Miss Staunton, I can explain."

"There is nothing to explain. It has no effect on me."

"That cannot be true."

"But it is. Why would I care that a gentleman that I do not know has no interest in me?"

It certainly made sense to him, but if it were true then why had she been so distant?

"So you are not angry with me?"

"Not at all, although next time someone is keeping something from me and you are aware of it, I would much prefer if you tell me yourself."

"That certainly wasn't my best idea," he sighed, "I only wanted my mother to see that her actions have consequences. It was quite cowardly, but I did not wish to clean up her mess for her this time."

"I understand, Your Grace. Do not worry."

"But I could have done more. I could have told him- I still could if you like."

"Certainly not. I must say, I find the whole concept of arranged courtship rather antiquated."

"So you do not wish for one yourself?"

"I never did. I only agreed out of necessity."

"To become a wife?"

"Something like that."

He winced, remembering why he had planned it all in the first place.

"And what about you, Your Grace?" Olivia continued, "Your county shall need an heir soon, after all, and if you are unwilling to take a wife then perhaps your mother may have to involve herself."

"That is not likely. My mother seems to have given up hope of finding me a suitable match."

"As in someone worthy of you? Ah, the joys of being a duke," Olivia teased.

It was so lovely to have her back.

The song ended, and after some polite applause William noticed his mother approach his brother. He wondered if this would be the moment she told him what was happening, although he knew it was not. They were to fall for each other naturally, not knowing that there was any meddling.

"Scott, dear, why don"t you ask Olivia for a dance?"

"Can Will not do it?" He groaned, "I do not know her."

"Then what better way to acquaint yourselves? You love speaking with ladies; do not pretend otherwise."

"Must everyone see me as a rake?"

"I did not say that. All I am suggesting is that you dance with Olivia. It would make her feel much more comfortable with you all."

"Why would I need that?"

"Because… because she and William are separated from you and your guests. I would much prefer for you to all be one blended group, and those two gentlemen you brought along did not make the best impression on your brother. Perhaps Olivia can bridge the gap?"

"I suppose you"re right, Mother. But I don"t know if Olivia wants to dance with me."

"Believe me, dear, she shall not refuse the offer."

William hated listening to it, and he could not believe that his brother did not see through it. Was it not obvious what she was trying to do?

Scott then turned and approached them, and William tried to pretend he had not heard everything.

"I don"t want to impose," he muttered, "But another dance is starting."

"It"s not an imposition, Scott," William nodded, "She is all yours."

She was all his, indeed.

"In which case, Miss Staunton, would you do me the honor of a dance?"

"Of course," Miss Staunton nodded, "I would be delighted."

She looked completely and utterly uncertain as she took to the floor with him, and at last he realized why that was. She was not looking at Scott, nor the two gentlemen, nor even him. She was looking at Miss Margaret.

And Miss Margaret looked furious.

"Don"t they make an excellent couple, William?" His mother asked with a sigh, "You see? I knew inviting Scott here was a wonderful idea."

"Yes, Mother, they truly seem to be enjoying themselves," he replied through clenched teeth.

But inwardly, William seethed at the sight of Scott dancing with Olivia. He couldn"t shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him, and Virginia"s oblivious enthusiasm only served to fuel his frustration.

Was it even obliviousness? She knew what she was doing, after all, and there was only so far that her comments could take her.

William"s gaze lingered on Olivia, his mind swirling. He couldn"t understand why he felt so unsettled by the sight of her with Scott, but he couldn"t deny the surge of jealousy that coursed through him.

It was because he knew it was all false. It had to be.

"Aren"t you proud of your brother, William? He"s quite the charmer, after all."

"I suppose he is," he replied tersely.

"Is something bothering you, dear? You seem rather tense."

"It"s nothing, Mother. I"m just not feeling well," he replied curtly, avoiding her gaze, "I told you as much this morning, not that you listened to me."

"Because you and I both know that that is not the truth."

"It is. I feel rather dreadful."

"That much is clear, but your reasoning for it is what is not true."

"I overindulged!"

"You are lying to yourself," she snapped.

"And what other choice do I have?"

It fell silent between the two of them. He bit his lip and inhaled sharply, feeling so unbelievably stupid for opening his mouth.

"William," his mother said gently, "You can"t just dismiss your feelings like that. If something is bothering you, you need to talk about it."

"If I knew what it was that was bothering me, perhaps I would. Alas, I cannot say that I do, and so it is not quite possible to discuss the matter."

"In which case, if you are so insistent on ignoring it, why don't you stand back and watch?"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I think you know exactly what I mean."

He did, of course. She was telling him to leave Miss Staunton alone, to allow her and Scott fall for each other and marry and live a wonderful life whilst he wasted away in his study. Mere days ago that was all he could have asked for, but now…

"You must admit that they look quite lovely."

He downed his drink instantly, strode across the dancefloor, interrupted their dance and extended his hand towards Miss Staunton.

"Care to dance?"

Olivia"s surprise was palpable as she looked up at him, her eyes widening slightly. She hesitated for a moment, but then, with a subtle nod, she accepted, placing her hand in his.

"You do not mind, do you?" She asked Scott.

"Not at all," he replied rather too quickly, "Enjoy yourselves."

As they began to dance, he suddenly lost his words. He could feel his mother glaring at him, even though he did not see her long enough to know for sure. He felt terribly meddlesome; her plan would have gone so smoothly without him, as far as she was concerned at least, and now he was ruining it all because of his own stupid pride.

But, oh, Miss Staunton was a wonderful dance partner. She was not commandeering or too spritely or too meek. She was a worthy dance partner, and he had never once thought that of a lady.

He wondered what Miss Margaret was thinking. She must have been ecstatic. After all, she did not want Miss Staunton and Scott to be seen together, that much was evident, and now he had willingly achieved that for her. He was likely one of her favorite people in the world in that moment, not that he wanted to be.

"You do not have to do this," she whispered suddenly.

"Do what?"

"Try to make me feel wanted."

"That is not- this is not-"

"It is alright, Your Grace," she smiled, "I understand. You know, you are far kinder than I gave you credit for."

"Miss Staunton, if I did not wish to dance with you I would not be doing so. I especially would not interrupt you and Scott just to do so."

The dance ended, William cast a stern glance at Virginia, and turned away and left, not daring to say another word to Miss Staunton.

Scott followed after William, calling his name until he turned back to him.

"Well, well, well, dancing with a lady, are we? I never thought I"d see the day, brother."

"Leave it, Scott."

"Come on, William, you can"t deny it was a sight to behold. The great Duke of Bolton twirling around the dance floor with a bluestocking."

"Do not call her that."

"Whyever not?"

"I said leave it."

"You know, you"ve changed, brother. Maybe it"s because of her. You've gone soft."

William shot him a sharp look.

"Don"t bring her into this, Scott."

"Alright, alright. But admit it, you enjoyed that dance more than you"re letting on."

"It was just a dance, Scott. Nothing more. You danced with her too, after all."

"To be sure, but she did not look at me the way she did you. Maybe that dance meant nothing to you, but what about her?"

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, nothing, brother. Just an observation. For all of your intellect, I am surprised that you have not seen it yourself."

"And in spite of your intellect, because you do indeed possess a certain amount, you do not see how dreadful that companion of yours is."

Scott chuckled, shaking his head.

"I talked to the gentlemen. They are rather ashamed of themselves and you saw yourself today that they are better already."

"I do not mean them. I mean her."

"Margaret?" He blinked, "She is anything but dreadful. She is a pleasure to be around, how do you not see that?"

"No. Do enlighten me on how wonderful she is."

"Oh, you know, always looking for a bit of excitement. But I"m glad she"s meeting you. It is about time that we seek your blessing."

"I wouldn"t count on it."

"Will, you"ve got to give her a chance. Who knows? Maybe you two will hit it off. It is not too much to ask to give her a chance."

"I highly doubt that, and I advise you to leave such ideas as you having a friendship with this girl."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Positive. Now if you"ll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."

"What other matters could you possibly have?" Scott asked, exasperated, "You cannot simply end every discussion by walking away. It is not the way to be."

"And what is?"

"I do not know, but what I do know is that you cannot keep everyone at arm"s length until you decide they are worthy of you. It is no way to be."

"If it keeps me away from the sort of company that you keep, then I think you will find that it is."

"And what sort of company do I keep?"

"What sort do you not keep?"

"They make me happy," he snapped, "Perhaps that is why you are so bitter about it. I am happy and fulfilled and not seeking anything more than what I have, and you cannot stand that because you are so utterly miserable."

"That is not true."

"Yes it is. Here is some advice, from brother to brother. Nobody likes a gentleman that is anything but gentle."

"And nobody likes a gentleman that cannot provide for them. That is, one that cannot provide without begging their older brother."

Scott laughed, shaking his head and turning to walk away.

"You think too highly of yourself," he sighed, "Keep running, Will. Maybe one day you'll outrun your fate."

"What fate?"

"You cannot be that foolish. Your fate is to become our father. It always has been, and you cannot change that, no matter what you do."

"You do not know that."

"Yes," he nodded, smirking, "Yes, I do, and I believe you do too. It is as I said, though, do keep running from it."