Chapter 21

21

T homas stood at his place at the head of the main table in the large dining hall watching as his guests arrived. He'd already escorted his mother in and helped her to her place opposite him at the head table. His guests were beginning to filter into the space, their voices a soft murmur against the clink of crystal and the rustle of silk gowns. The room, bathed in the warm glow of candlelight from the grand chandelier, was set to impress, with its table impeccably laid out in silver and fine china.

It still felt all wrong to be sitting in his father's place. Normally he was seated next to his mother, on her right side. But he was the earl now, and once he married, his own countess would take his mother's spot.

How things were changing. Thomas wasn't sure if he liked it. And he liked even less the fact that he was going to have to confront Viscount Polk this evening over cigars and brandy.

How could he get the viscount alone?

Goodness, such ridiculousness. This was his estate, his house party. If he wanted to speak to the viscount alone, he damned well would.

Cameron entered, Rose on his arm, and behind them, Lady Clementine, Tricia, and her younger sister, Katrina.

Thomas couldn't keep his eyes off Tricia. Her dinner attire was beautiful. Thomas cared nothing for ladies' fashion, but Patricia could be a fashion plate herself. She was a vision in a gown of cornflower blue that offset her fair complexion and onyx hair, which was styled elegantly atop her head, adorned with a few delicate pearls. Thomas felt a subtle shift in the air as she entered, or perhaps it was merely within him. Her presence seemed to draw the light, the room momentarily brighter by her smile. She moved with a grace that belied her youth, her gaze meeting his across the room. In that instant, Thomas was acutely aware of a quickening in his chest, a sensation both unfamiliar and exhilarating.

Rose and Cameron were seated at the earl's table, but Lady Clementine and her daughters were seated at the next table. Thomas watched as Cameron seated Rose and then took his mother and sisters to the other table and got them seated as well.

Lady Clementine sat next to Katrina at one end of the table, while Tricia was seated at the other, between?—

Thomas tried to hide his surprise.

Tricia was seated between Lord Victor Polk and his cousin, Jonathan Jameson.

How odd.

Both Polk and Jameson had danced with her last night.

A dagger of jealousy cut furiously into his heart. Who arranged the seating chart? His mother, of course.

He could ask about it later, but it was too late to do so now. Any disruption would cause a scene, and he did not want that.

He held back his scowl and continued smiling and nodding as his guests were seated.

Footmen scurried about, filling champagne flutes and getting ready to serve the first course.

Once everyone was seated, it was up to Thomas to say something.

There'd been no formal dinner last evening. Everyone had arrived, gone to their chambers, and rested before the ball.

So tonight, he must address his guests. He drew in a breath and clutched his flute of champagne.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, esteemed friends both old and new, it is my profound honor and pleasure to welcome you all to Ashford Estate. We gather tonight not merely to enjoy the sumptuous feast laid before us but also to celebrate the bonds of friendship that bring richness to our lives far beyond what wealth can measure. Of course, we also gather to honor the memory of my esteemed father, Crispin Jameson. May he rest in peace."

A few of the guests murmured in solemn agreement as he raised his champagne flute. "To your health, happiness, and prosperity—may they grow as abundantly as the ties that bind us tonight. Cheers!"

"Cheers!" echoed through the large dining hall.

Thomas took a seat, and the other gentlemen followed.

He homed his gaze in on Tricia, who, because of where she was seated, was directly in his line of vision.

Polk and Jonathan sat on either side of her, and Jonathan filled her wine glass.

"I say, Ashford," the gentleman next to him said. "It's been a fine party so far. Loved the ball last night, and the hunt today. And my wife and daughter had a splendid time at the ladies' lawn party and luncheon."

"Very glad to hear it," Thomas said.

The gentleman gestured to a familiar-looking pretty young woman dressed in a mint-green gown seated about halfway down the table. "Have you met my daughter, Lady Lillian Foxworth?"

Thomas smiled at the girl, knowing full well that he would have no interest in her. "I believe I had the pleasure of dancing with her last evening, my lord."

"She's a lovely thing, really. Quite talented on the pianoforte and well read. She speaks French as if she were born there."

Thomas expected things like this. In fact, he was surprised he hadn't had more ladies and gentlemen extolling the virtues of their offspring last night at the ball.

"She sounds very well accomplished, my lord."

"Oh, she is. A beautiful young thing. Of course, I have to say that as the man who sired her." He let out a chuckle.

Thomas was thankful when his butler, Montague, entered, followed by footmen dressed in tailored tailcoats made of fine wool. Beneath the coats, their waistcoats were a brightly colored green featuring the Ashford crest. The trousers were high-waisted and fitted, and they also wore crisp white dress shirts paired with cravats neatly tied in a bow.

It was appropriate for Montague to be wearing green. He had a fascination for exotic plants, and Thomas remembered sneaking into his quarters when he was young to admire them. He remembered seeing several species that he recognized—gorgeous orchids, delicate ferns, and colorful tropical flowering plants. He had been examining a plant with drooping branches, deep-green oval leaves, and small glossy berries in a hue of deep violet when Montague discovered him. The butler had been quite cross upon seeing him and the earl would later give him quite the talking-to about exploring the servants' private quarters.

As Thomas surveyed the exquisite arrangements of flowers laid across the table, he made a mental note to ask for Montague's input for the next event he hosted. Perhaps some of those colorful tropical flowers would really set his next ball apart from those of his peers. It would surely incur a bit of extra expense, but Thomas knew his estate could afford it.

But for now, the current flowers—mostly from local florists—would have to do. And they quite elegantly framed the starter course, which was a delicate consommé served hot and flavored with a hint of sherry. They also served freshly baked rolls still warm from the oven.

Once everyone at his table was served, Thomas gave a nod to signal that they could begin eating.

"I was hoping my daughter would be seated closer to you," Lord Foxworth said.

"My mother sees to the seating," Thomas replied.

"Of course." The man cleared his throat and took a bite of a roll. He chewed and swallowed. "Excellent feast as always, Ashford."

The man hadn't touched his consommé yet, and the rolls, while warm and yeasty and delicious, hardly could be called an excellent feast.

Thomas took a bite of his own roll, stealing a glance over at the table next to where Tricia was seated. She seemed to be chatting animatedly with Polk and Jonathan.

He noticed that Lord Foxworth's daughter was seated next to Lady Sarah Keating, a friend of Tricia's.

His thoughts were interrupted by the lord once more. "Do you think you'll choose a wife this season, Ashford?"

Thomas chewed and swallowed. "I haven't given it a lot of thought, to be honest."

"Yes, I see. I understand completely."

Thomas nodded and brought his consommé to his lips. Drat, it was still hot, and he burned his tongue a bit.

Between Lord Foxworth chatting him on, the thought of Tricia between Polk and Jonathan, and dreading his talk with the viscount later, Thomas knew this dinner would not be enjoyable.

He glanced again over at Tricia and then forced his gaze back to his own contemporaries at his table.

He smiled and nodded as he ate, and when the footmen brought the second course—braised cod garnished with fresh sprigs of rosemary alongside tender turnips and asparagus tips—he realized he hadn't touched his consommé nor finished his roll.

No mind.

He wasn't feeling very hungry anyway.