Chapter 28

Chapter Twenty-Eight

R obert slipped his hand into his waistcoat pocket and snuck a glance at his watch. It was nine o'clock. The wedding celebrations had been going since eleven, and the grand ball was just getting warmed up.

Thank heavens one only goes through with a lavish wedding once in a lifetime.

He couldn't imagine someone willingly going through this sort of imposing event ever again. All these people.

With a smile on his face, which didn't quite reach his eyes, Robert stood alongside Victoria as they greeted their multitude of guests. All four hundred of them.

There were a few familiar faces amongst the crowd, some he even knew their names. But the rest were a blur. Lord This. Lady That. The Grand Duchess of Something. Along with a sprinkling of minor European royalty and a handful of foreign diplomats.

He was a duke but in comparison to the Duke and Duchess of Mowbray's lofty connections, his family was little more than a group of country bumpkins. Not all dukes were created equal.

But Victoria, his newly minted duchess, greeted every person by name and title. She even managed to offer up little titbits that were of interest to each guest as they stopped in front of her in the receiving line.

While he'd spent the past week or so of their brief betrothal busily handling stolen goods and removing all traces of his illegal activities from Tolley House, Victoria had been hard at work, mastering the guest list. Robert was impressed with her social skills.

As the next guest moved on from him and went to greet the Duchess of Mowbray, Robert turned and gave his new bride a smile. "How are you holding up?" he asked.

Victoria nodded. "Fine. Mama says the trick is to focus on being as present as possible. The night will eventually come to an end, and I shall forget my tired feet. But the guest who feels slighted by the hostess's lack of interest in them will always remember."

He wasn't sure if she intended her last comment as a gentle rebuke, but Robert took it as such. She was carrying the load for them, while he was more concerned with the time and how much longer he would have to endure all these people.

Just get through the next few hours, then it will all be over.

Tonight wasn't about her. It wasn't even about Robert. As Victoria greeted guest after guest, there was one thing in the forefront of her mind. This wedding ball was all about her family. Of making sure that the Duke and Duchess of Mowbray were securely back amongst the upper echelons of London society.

When a familiar face stopped in front of her, Victoria's social smile broadened into a happy grin. "Cousin!"

Alex Radley, the Marquis of Brooke, held out his arms and drew her into his embrace. "Congratulations Victoria, what a happy day," he exclaimed. As she accepted his generous hug, Victoria caught the eye of Alex's wife. Millie, the Marchioness of Brooke, waved at her.

When her cousin finally released her from his hug, he took a step back and sketched an elegant bow. "Your Grace." As he righted himself, Alex chuckled. "I can't believe you outrank me now. How did that happen?"

Millie moved forward and gave Victoria a kiss on the cheek. "Congratulations, Your Grace. He's been complaining about your new rank ever since your betrothal was announced."

One day, when Alex eventually became the Duke of Strathmore, he would outrank her once again, but until then Victoria intended to enjoy every single occasion when her cousin would have to bow to her.

As her cousin and his wife moved on to greet Robert, Victoria turned to her new husband. Many of the other guests were mere acquaintances or connections of her parents, but these people were some of her closest friends.

"Robert, may I introduce my cousin Alex and his wife Millie?"

Robert knew the gentleman who bowed before him. There were few people in London society who didn't know the fair-haired Marquis of Brooke. And his reputation. Before his marriage, Alex Radley had been known as Alexander the Great. An unashamed rake and unrepentant party animal who had put the high in hi-jinks.

But from the gentle way he held his wife's hand, and the sweet smiles he offered her, it seemed that Lord Brooke's wild days were well and truly over. It had often been said that it would take an unusual woman to tame the future duke, and from the manner of Lady Brooke's attire, it appeared that sentiment had been spot on.

Instead of wearing the latest fashion from Paris, the dark-haired Millie Radley was dressed in a deep pink and gold silk sari. The heavily detailed gown matched the ruby stud she wore in her nose.

"Lady Brooke was born in India. Her father, James Ashton, is a senior member of the Honorable East India Company and worked in their Calcutta office for some twenty years before the Ashton family returned to England," explained Victoria.

His duchess was a wealth of information, and in this case, bone-deep dread. Robert's new bride was related to someone who was high up in the East India.

Damn.

He nervously cleared his throat, fearing that at any moment, James Ashton might drop a hand on his shoulder and ask to have a quiet word.

"And is your father here tonight?"

Millie shook her head. "Unfortunately not. Papa is busy working on an assignment for the London directors of the East India and couldn't make it this evening. But I am certain you and he will cross paths at some point soon. We are always having family get togethers these days, especially now that so many members of our generation have gotten married and started families."

"Millie and Alex had a little boy earlier this year," explained Victoria.

"Congratulations. Well it was lovely to meet you both, and yes, I look forward to meeting the rest of your family," said Robert.

Victoria exchanged another hug with her cousin, and then with his wife. From the happy look on her face, it was clear these people meant a great deal to her. While all he felt was sick to his stomach.

Robert bit his bottom lip and pondered the future. In the years ahead, he'd be having a lot to do with this part of the extended Radley-Kembal family. And also their relatives.

As the Marquis and Marchioness of Brooke moved on down the receiving line, Robert's gaze searched the gathering. The second this greeting business was over with, he'd be having his own quiet word with George. Warning his man of business of the potential danger which now lurked within their midst.

Damn. Damn. Damn.

His wife's favorite cousin's father-in-law was a senior East India man.

That could make Christmas and family gatherings rather awkward.

And dangerous.