A Duke’s Overlooked Spinster (The Courting Season #1)

Chapter Three

Before Arabella knew it, the day before her wedding had arrived. She had been dragged to dress fittings and teas to discuss the wedding for what felt like ages. Apart from that, her family and that of the Duke had taken control of the wedding arrangements. And in line with her lack of desire to marry in the first place, she was happy to leave it all to them.

The afternoon before she was to wed, however, it all became too real for her. The rest of her family was downstairs, rushing to prepare for the dinner party celebration that was to be hosted by Lady Eleanor Norfolk, the Duke’s aunt. Arabella, however, stood in front of her lady’s maid, surveying her reflection with a critical eye.

“Should I have chosen a paler pink dress?” she asked, glancing at Betsy with unexpected nervousness. “Perhaps, this one is too bold for this evening.”

Her lady’s maid put gentle hands on her shoulders as she finished pinning her light brown curls atop her head and gave her a warm smile in the looking glass.

“Do not fret, Lady Arabella,” she said. “This is your favourite shade, and you always feel your best in this colour. Besides, this is perfect for a lady who is to be a duchess by this time tomorrow.”

Arabella nodded, swallowing as her stomach churned. She was hardly excited to see her betrothed. And yet, there was anticipation hidden beneath her dread. It surprised her, making her question her wellness.

“A duchess, indeed,” she murmured, forcing herself to be still as Betsy fastened her diamond necklace around her neck.

Serena burst in the door, wearing a dress of pastel blue, simpler than her sister’s but still elegant and beautiful. She stopped when Arabella turned around to face her, gasping as she rushed into her older sister’s arms.

“Sister, you look stunning,” she breathed, stepping back to look over her sister’s attire.

Arabella smiled at her sister, blushing despite herself.

“It is only an evening dress,” she said.

Serena stared at her for a moment, shaking her head and laughing in disbelief.

“Only the evening dress bought for the dinner party to celebrate your marriage to a duke,” she said with bemusement. “A duke whom I assure you will not be able to pull his gaze from you, I might add.”

Arabella smiled, once more despite her misgivings. Her sister’s enthusiasm was infectious, even though her doubts were ever mounting.

“I hope he will at least find me tolerable,” she said, a giggle escaping her lips. But only once she spoke the words did she realize how vulnerable she felt. What if he did not find her tolerable, after all?

Of course, he will not, she scolded herself. You must decide if you can find him tolerable.

She wanted to express her worry to her sister. But the younger woman’s carefree laugh at her quip and her delighted eyes silenced her. Part of her felt that speaking of her reluctance to marry the Duke of Norenshire might ruin something for Serena. She reminded herself of how her marriage would ensure that Serena could marry whomever she chose, and whenever she was ready to choose him. She smiled, giving her sister a quick kiss on the cheek to keep her from seeing how it faltered.

“Thank you, Sister,” she said.

***

Adrian endeavoured mightily to disregard the rapid footfalls of servants bustling to complete the preparations for the soiree, whilst he meticulously perused the latest business ledgers and devised plans. Yet, his aunt's voice resonated through the air, summoning maidens from some distance along the corridor.

He could not understand what she said. But her tone, even muffled, was authoritative and eager. Adrian pulled at the cravat of his bland gray suit. He was normally a very composed and collected man in any situation. But that evening, he could hardly stop fidgeting.

He had reduced himself to begging his aunt to not host a lavish dinner party to celebrate a marriage that he did not want. However, Eleanor was thrilled to see her nephew marry, even though it was an arrangement made out of necessity. He supposed it was in a lady’s nature to get excited about a wedding, no matter the circumstances, and he did not fault her. And he knew that a celebratory dinner was expected, particularly by the family of the bride. Unfortunately, that also meant that she had planned a grand party, despite his pleas. And on the night before the wedding, no less.

He did not need the butler to tell him that guests had begun to arrive. He could hear his aunt’s voice ringing through the halls. He sighed, abandoning his ledgers and dragging himself from his study. He stood at his aunt’s side, greeting the guests with solemn politeness. As each person or family arrived, he allowed himself to relax a little.

Each face that was not Lady Arabella or her parents made him think that perhaps, they would abandon the party. Even though it would be in poor taste, Adrian would not fault them. It might give him the excuse he needed to leave the gathering himself. When Lord and Lady Colbrook and Lady Arabella were announced, however, Adrian’s heart sank. He sighed, looking up to greet them as politely as he had the other guests. But he was caught by surprise when Lady Arabella came into view.

Her light brown hair was curled and pinned atop her head. Her dark pink dress fit her perfectly, and her green eyes sparkled like the diamonds on her necklace. She held her head high with a slight smile on her face. But her cheeks were slightly pink, and he thought her bottom lip trembled, albeit nearly imperceptibly. His breath caught, and he stared at the woman who was to become his wife and duchess the very next morning.

When their eyes met, Adrian swallowed. He had not intended to be caught looking at her. But she firmly held his gaze, preventing him from looking away. He could not deny that she was lovely. But it was the flicker of conflicting emotions he saw there that kept his attention. He saw fear, dread, anticipation and finally determination as she lifted her chin higher still. He saw her breath hitch, confirming the lip tremble that he thought he saw in her mouth previously. But she simply widened her smile, taking her eyes off him as a lady in yellow approached her and her family.

Dinner was announced shortly after, and Adrian was happy to escort his aunt to the dining hall. It was customary for a man to walk with his betrothed to the meal. But Lady Arabella held fast to her father’s arm, not looking at him again until they were seated. Adrian was relieved to see that he was not seated beside her only to realise that she sat directly opposite him at the table. As the first course was served, their eyes met once more. Adrian was astounded at how his heart fluttered again. What was it about Lady Arabella that caused such reactions?

The guests began the meal, with Adrian remaining in complete silence. Neither of the gentlemen sitting beside Adrian engaged him in conversation, opting instead to speak with their wives on each side of them. Adrian expected as much and appreciated it more than ever before. It gave him time to brood in silence, and to quietly observe his bride. What he saw both stunned and irritated him.

Gone was the fear he had seen in her eyes when she entered the townhouse. The tense, polite smile that he had imagined mirrored his own had also vanished. In their stead were sparkling, comfortable eyes and a charming, warm smile. She talked with her dinner partners as if she were amongst the company of her closest loved ones. Moreover, as he strained to hear the topics of conversation, he was surprised by her quick wit and her extensive knowledge of current affairs.

Blast, Adrian thought as he battled with the admiration and frustration he felt toward his bride. I would have never guessed that she could be so charming and engaging. It was difficult for him to admit, even privately to himself. But he could not deny that a woman with such natural eloquence and jocularity would make a good duchess. Even though he hated to admit that fact.

***

Arabella fell naturally into conversation with the people around her as the meal progressed. She only spared two glances at her affianced, and each time she noted the flustered expression on his face. She wondered if he was listening to her conversations, as she had not heard him speak once. But she was enjoying herself, as much as she could at a dinner party hosted to celebrate an unwanted marriage and husband, and she would not allow the Duke’s sour looks to ruin what little delight she found.

A gentleman sitting two seats to her right cleared his throat, capturing the attention of everyone around him, including Arabella.

“Well, I believe that the navy ships loitering in the Indian Ocean is rather strange,” he said. “I do not believe they would still be active there unless there was something more to fear from the French.”

Two of the people with whom she had been conversing nodded sagely in agreement.

“What other explanation could there be?” the lady to her right asked.

“It does seem rather odd, does it not?” asked the woman to her left.

Arabella frowned, shaking her head.

“That is not necessarily true,” she said with a warm, polite smile. “Our trade routes must be protected from the French. If our navy is scouting the Indian sea, it is only to tend to our interests there.”

Everyone fell silent as she spoke. She unintentionally glanced toward the Duke, noting that the eyes of the people around her wandered to him, as well. She held her breath as she realized that they must have been waiting for his reaction. She also understood that she had been bold in publicly opposing a common opinion at a noble dinner table. She watched her groom, wondering what he would say.

To her surprise, he did not admonish her. Instead, he gave her an imperceptible nod and spoke.

“Theirs is currently a strategic motive, rather than a defensive one,” he said, briefly meeting the gaze of everyone who was looking at him. “That does not mean we are about to be in crisis. It simply means they wish to maintain control of things as they are.”

Arabella kept her expression controlled, but her shock was internally unbridled. She understood that they needed to present unity to the dinner guests, despite the coldness of the relationship between them. But when her eyes met his and she saw the respect and muted admiration there, a thrill traveled up her spine. A small but genuine smile tickled the corners of her lips, and she returned his earlier nod. His support had been unexpected. But only after receiving it did, she realize that she had truly wanted it.

***

Edwin was delighted to see that he had been seated beside Lady Victoria during the meal. He had attended the dinner party to support his friend on the evening before his wedding. However, when he noticed that the beautiful young lady who had captured his attention previously was also there, he was elated. She was divinely radiant in her soft, subtle green gown, embellished with gold lace trim and embroidery on her elbow length gloves. Her brown hair was tamed but cascading down to her shoulders in carefully pinned ringlets. She wore a green toque atop her head which was decorated with three silver feathers. Her green eyes sparkled as she smiled at him, and his heart melted.

“What a wonderful delight seeing you here,” she said as soon as their host had finished the welcoming speech.

Edwin struggled not to blush as he raised his glass in a toasting gesture.

“Delight is not a strong enough word, my lady,” he said, grinning foolishly as the young woman giggled.

“Oh, how charming you are, my lord,” she said as her own cheeks turned bright pink.

Edwin’s smile could not have been wider as he continued looking at the beautiful young woman beside him.

“I dare say that the conversation seems a bit heavy tonight,” he said, glancing in the direction of Adrian and his bride, who sat at opposite sides of the table but seemed to be engaged to some serious discussion with the guests around them.

Lady Victoria nodded, her eyes sparkling.

“I do love a good intellectual debate,” she said. “But I admit that I find the business of the royals to be fascinating.”

Edwin shrugged, still grinning.

“I have heard a rumour or two,” he said. He typically did not discuss any gossip but he enjoyed talking about current events that were not political or scientific, as well. And in truth, he would have talked about magic and wild whimsies and fantasies if it pleased Lady Victoria.

The woman’s smile brightened.

“Have you heard about the prince?” she asked.

Edwin nodded, dropping his voice.

“It seems that he and his dearly beloved Princess Caroline are living separately,” he murmured. “The two of them are making scandal sheets almost weekly, it seems.”

Lady Victoria nodded, shaking her head sadly.

“It is a shame that two people cannot find happiness with one another,” she said. “I cannot imagine the pressures they must feel, being of the highest nobility. But nor can I imagine being so repelled by your husband or wife that you must separate yourself from them entirely. Or that you must behave in such salacious ways.”

Edwin nodded, his heart swelling. Lady Victoria spoke with such passion about the topic of love and marriage that it tugged at him.

“I believe that if two people can find a single shared interest, there is a foundation for a beautiful love,” he said.

Lady Victoria nodded, her brilliant smile returning.

“I believe the same,” she said. “Even an interest in literature or theater can breed a bond that can become unbreakable.”

Edwin grinned slyly, an earlier notion returning to him.

“Or, perhaps, the opera,” he said.

Lady Victoria giggled, her cheeks flushing once more.

“The opera, indeed,” she said, pulling out her fan and waving it delicately beneath her chin.

Edwin was surprised at how easily their conversation continued to flow. It was as if he had known Lady Victoria for years, rather than just a few days. And as the meal continued, he could not help stealing glances at her, even when she was speaking with someone else. His heart quickened when he saw her glancing back at him. He was giddy with delight. And he knew that he needed to see as much of the lovely young lady as he possibly could.

***

Arabella

When the ladies withdrew to the drawing room, Arabella felt relieved. She had held her poise and grace for as long as she felt that she could during dinner. After the Duke’s show of support for her bold opinion during the meal, he had returned to the cold, glowering man to whom she was growing accustomed. It would be nice to sit and sip champagne without feeling his judgmental eyes on her, even if she did so alone.

When she settled into a quiet corner, however, a lady approached. She instantly recognized her as Lady Eleanor, the aunt of her affianced.

“Lady Arabella, you look positively lovely this evening,” she said, settling into a chair beside Arabella and patting her hand with gentle sincerity. “And I must commend you on how flawlessly you handled yourself during dinner. You are most delightful and insightful in conversation. I have never seen my darling nephew so engaged.”

Arabella blinked, unable to hide her surprise.

“Truly?” she asked, struggling against her confusion. “I found him to be rather reserved, apart from a remark or two.”

Lady Eleanor chuckled, shaking her head gently.

“My dear, for Adrian, he was positively loquacious this evening, I assure you,” she said. “He used to enjoy talking and making people laugh when he was a boy.” The older woman paused, as if thinking or choosing her words carefully. “He could make me laugh with a single twitch of his expressions, and his feelings could once be seen in his features by the blind.”

Arabella smiled, but she had to resist biting her lip. She tried to picture her groom as a person who could laugh and experience emotions. But it was impossible. If there was any remnants of that person beneath the cold face the world saw in the duke of Norenshire, Arabella was sure she would never see it.

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