Chapter 10

H olbrook's carriage came to a halt in front of the Clarington town house. But instead of climbing down, he stared at the carriage door, examining the odd sense of restlessness that had settled over him. It took him several seconds to realize that the churning feeling in his stomach meant he was actually nervous.

He couldn't remember the last time he'd been this apprehensive. Probably when he'd arrived at Eton at the age of thirteen and come face-to-face with the reality that for the foreseeable future, he'd be spending more time at the school than at home with his family.

It was damn annoying.

With a deep breath, he did his best to ignore the inconvenient emotion and exited the carriage.

When he'd had dinner here a few days earlier, he'd been one of many people. Tonight he was the sole guest, and Clarington would be judging his worthiness to court his sister. Holbrook knew his intentions were honorable, but because of the misery Lucy's first husband had caused her, he'd need to prove himself to her brother.

He liked Clarington, who was a decade older than him. But he'd be lying if he said the man didn't intimidate him.

He lifted the heavy brass ring of the door knocker and let it fall against the brass plate. Clearly the action hadn't been necessary—the butler admitted him immediately and was probably already aware Holbrook's carriage had arrived.

The older man informed him that the family was waiting for him in the drawing room. He ignored the irrational urge to pull out his pocket watch to check whether he'd kept them all waiting.

He thanked the man and crossed the few steps to the drawing room, maintaining a measured pace as he took in another deep, steadying breath.

This was just another dinner party after all. He couldn't recall how many he'd been to over the years. But never before with the family of the woman he wished to marry. They'd be judging everything he said and did.

It appeared he wasn't going to be able to will away his nerves. He'd heard a well-known actor once say that he handled his stage nerves by telling himself they weren't a sign of fear. That they were, in fact, a sign he was excited about taking that first step out onto the stage. Once that step was taken, he was committed to the play and soon became the character, and all his fears were forgotten.

Holbrook could do this. He wasn't afraid of Clarington. He was merely excited to be taking this first important step toward his future with the woman he wanted to marry. The swooping sensation in his gut was just an invisible manifestation of his anticipation.

He took that last step and crossed the threshold into the drawing room.

The duke and duchess were sitting next to one another on the settee, their heads tilted toward each other. The duchess must have just said something amusing because Clarington laughed. It was obvious to everyone who saw the pair together that they were still very much in love despite the fact they'd been married for thirteen years.

Lucy was seated in an armchair and was also smiling at what the duchess had said. Holbrook tried not to wonder if she'd been sharing ideas about how to torture him tonight.

As one, their heads swiveled in his direction and Holbrook bowed.

"Your Graces, my lady. I was honored to receive your dinner invitation."

The women stood and dropped into polite curtsies. Clarington unfolded himself at a more leisurely pace, the weight of his full attention now on Holbrook.

"I'm pleased at your promptness," Clarington said. "I detest a late dinner guest."

Holbrook made some innocent remark by way of reply, but he couldn't say what it was. His attention had settled on Lucy, and there was something in the way she was looking at him that spoke louder than any words. She was desperate to speak to him.

But before she could say a word, Clarington clapped him on the shoulder. "Come."

Holbrook obeyed, of course. He wanted Clarington's good opinion if he was to gain his approval to court Lucy. Despite the fact the duke's sister was of age and free to spend time with whomever she wished, Clarington had the power to make things difficult.

He'd heard rumors of Clarington's displeasure at the way his brother-in-law treated his sister. Some even speculated about how he'd made a deal with the devil to bring about that final duel that had resulted in Mansfield's death, but Holbrook dismissed that as idle gossip. It had only been a matter of time, after all, before Lucy's husband slept with the wrong man's wife.

Neither spoke until they'd reached Clarington's study. Holbrook closed the door behind him since it was clear the man wanted privacy for this conversation.

"Have a seat," Clarington said as he settled into one of the two burgundy armchairs tucked into a corner of the room.

Holbrook sank into the chair. Perversely, this private conversation helped to settle his nerves. He'd much rather get straight to the reason he was here tonight instead of worrying all evening about what Clarington was thinking.

"I was glad to receive your invitation," Holbrook said, steepling his fingers at his waist. "It saved me the trouble of petitioning for an audience."

Clarington didn't reply right away. His arms were folded across his chest, his eyes narrowed as he examined Holbrook. He had the uncanny certainty that the duke was trying to see into his very soul.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Clarington spoke. "You know why you're here."

Holbrook nodded. "Because of my interest in your sister."

"I've been told you're courting her."

Holbrook settled his hands on the arms of the chair. "I assure you that my intentions are honorable."

To his surprise, Clarington winced. "That's going to be difficult. I'm sure you're aware that my sister has no intention of marrying again."

"She told me so herself."

"Is she aware you're courting her?"

Holbrook let out a wry chuckle. "Yes."

Clarington raised one brow. "And you've received her consent to do so?"

He smiled, remembering every detail of the wager he'd made with Lucy. "It wasn't easy, but yes, I've received her consent to court her. Not that she thinks there's any point to the endeavor."

Clarington shook his head and let out a low humph. "I don't know how you managed that. And quite frankly, I don't think I want to know."

Holbrook was thankful for that. The last thing he needed was to be called out by Lucy's brother.

"I've been told you're a good man," Clarington continued. "There are many among my acquaintance who are quite fond of you."

Holbrook shrugged. "I find it easier to court friendships than to behave in a manner that would make many my enemy."

Unlike Mansfield. The words hovered, unspoken, in the air between him and the duke.

Clarington leaned back in his chair. "Their wives are also fond of you."

A frisson of alarm streaked through him. "I assure you that my actions have been honorable. I would never?—"

Clarington let out a bark of laughter. "No, no, I didn't mean to insinuate otherwise. Besides, they're all happily married and it's clear they want to see you similarly settled."

"To be completely honest, when I was here before your ball, I had no intention of seeking a wife this season. It did occur to me that perhaps that time was drawing near, but it wasn't a priority."

There was a knowing smile on the duke's face. "What changed?"

"I had the pleasure of sitting next to your sister during that dinner and getting to know her better. And somehow by the end of the ball the next day, I realized that I wanted to get to know her much better."

He wondered if Clarington was aware that his sister was seeking a lover. But he wasn't foolish enough to voice the question.

Clarington's smile was now a grin. "And you've decided that you want to marry my sister."

Holbrook nodded. "I'm not ready to offer for her. She's not there yet, but I plan to sway her to my way of thinking. We need to get to know one another better first."

"You're going to find it difficult to convince Lucy to give marriage another try. Mansfield was a bastard."

Holbrook wholeheartedly agreed. He'd heard enough rumors to have a vivid impression of just what type of man Lucy's husband had been.

"I will do everything in my power to change her mind."

Clarington's eyes narrowed again. "I'll be watching you."

Holbrook nodded. "Your sister has already suffered through one unhappy marriage. I would think less of you if I believed you were willing to allow her to enter into a second one. Especially since it's clear you, yourself, are very happily married."

Clarington nodded and stood. He held out his arm. Holbrook rose to his feet and shook his hand.

"We are in agreement then. I will kill you if you hurt my sister."

Holbrook nodded. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Good. We should make our way back before Lucy barges in here. She's informed me that I have exactly five minutes to speak with you. Any longer and she'll assume I'm torturing you."