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“Thank you for including me in your business venture.” Rory rose and shook Sheffield’s hand.
“With your knowledge of the financial market, you will be a great asset.”
The two walked along the hall and discussed the procedure of the investment. They headed toward the parlor where Sophia had ordered them to join her for tea. When they entered the room, it was to find Sophia and Sidney sitting on the sofa with their heads bent together. They were probably plotting their next course of trouble. Not only were they whispering, but Wildeburg threw in a few comments of his own. Sheffield patted Rory on the shoulder as if in sympathy. Rory saw Sheffield shaking his head at the unspoken question, then turned back to the others, who had stopped their conversation once they were aware he entered the parlor.
“Rory, what a surprise,” said Sophia.
“You invited me for tea,” he reminded her.
“Yes, yes. Silly me.”
Rory settled in a chair, watching the couples with suspicion as they sat around him, smiling like cats who caught the mouse. He was doomed. Rory had come here intending to ask for their advice, but now realized they had already decided his strategy to win Dallis’s hand. Sidney and Sophia were two of his closest friends, and throughout the last few months since they had gotten married, the men in their lives accepted Rory into their circle of friendship. To be friends with these influential men of the ton meant doors now opened to him. His vote in Parliament, which in the past went unnoticed, now started having an impact. More men were listening to his viewpoints on bills.
“What?” he finally asked them.
“The kiss you gave Dallis ...” Sophia began.
“Was soooo romantic,” Sidney said.
“However your behavior following ...” Wilde began.
“Has been atrocious,” Sheffield growled to finish for them all.
Now the men sounded like their wives, finishing each other's sentences. Rory's head bounced back and forth between them as they berated his behavior. He was dizzy from the volley of insults directed at him. Each one of them pointing out his faults, one by one. He squirmed in his seat as they described his past actions. He held up his hands for them to cease. They all stopped in mid-sentence, waiting for him to speak.
“You are all correct. While I had business with Sheffield, I also wanted to seek your advice on how to win Dallis’s hand. That is before Lord Holdenburg does.”
“Lord Holdenburg is courting Dallis?” asked Sheffield.
“Yes. My mother introduced them.”
Wilde whistled. “That is stiff competition, my friend. He is even more scandalous than I ever was.”
“Lord Holdenburg,” the ladies said in awe.
“Yes,” Rory growled at their awe of the one man who stood in his way to Dallis’s heart.
“So, what is your plan to court her?” Sidney turned serious now that they needed to establish a plan.
“I was hoping you could help me.”
“Oh!” Sidney said, excited that somebody actually wanted her help in matchmaking.
Wilde and Sheffield shook their heads at Rory, mouthing to him the word no. He knew it was foolish to involve them, but he held no clue on how to repair the damage he'd done. Plus, these couples had found happiness from the hijinks of Sidney’s devious mind. Why not him?
“I thought I would take her for a walk in the park. Perhaps feed the ducks like you enjoy, Phee.”
“Rory, you cannot ever compare one lady to another while in the presence of said lady, even though you are only friends with the other said lady,” Sidney explained.
“Why forever not?”
“No lady wants to hear of another while you are in pursuit of her hand. Even the demurest lady experiences jealousy.”
“Did either of you?”
“Yes,” both women stated.
“Try writing her letters,” Sophia suggested, staring at Sheffield with a tender expression.
“Or have her visit a brothel in disguise.” Wilde’s joke was aimed toward Sheffield.
“Discover her favorite candy,” said Sidney.
“Sneak into her room at night.” Sheffield returned the poke toward Wilde.
All their suggestions came at once. The women leaned toward romance, while the men’s ideas were more scandalous. More dangerous, but way more tempting. Turning his thoughts to the taste of her lips and the feel of Dallis in his arms, Rory was more led to the men’s suggestions. The idea of Dallis in a brothel provoked wild images, but it wasn’t a place he wanted to spend time with her. And the fear of her grandmother’s cane would keep Rory from Dallis's bedroom. Before he could even contemplate intimacy with Dallis, he needed to court her properly. Candy and letters? No, he needed to be more creative. Dallis wasn’t a woman to be won over by trinkets. No, with her, his efforts must come from the heart.
“Thank you for your suggestions. While they might have worked on your own unorthodox courtships, I feel they would not for mine.”
“Then what will you do?” asked Sidney.
“I shall take a more creative approach.”
Sheffield said, “But you will take an approach? The lady deserves nothing less. Dallis is a friend of mine, and I will not have you keep destroying her good name because you are not man enough to claim her for yourself.”
This angered Rory enough to rise and advance toward Sheffield. Business deal or not, the man held no right to defend Dallis. She was his responsibility. Twice now he'd watched this man almost destroy his friends, and Rory would not let Sheffield harm Dallis.
Wilde pulled Rory away from Sheffield. He knew Sheffield had only baited Rory to act. Instead Sheffield would end up beaten by the man again. Wilde sent Sidney a look asking to calm her friend. Sidney grabbed Rory’s arm and led him toward the sofa to sit beside her. Wilde sent Sheffield a warning glare, only for the man to relax in his chair, wearing a smile of satisfaction.
“Rory, you must understand your actions, while they always have been gentlemanly, have turned into a scandalous rake. Dallis deserves better. All of us have your best interest at heart and we speak as your friends concerned for your reputation. Your behavior is not only causing you harm, think of your mother and sister.”
Rory sighed and he finally admitted, “I am well aware of my actions and the consequences from them. However, poverty and not being able to provide for Dallis are what have kept me from courting her.” He finally admitted.
“Which after today’s deal will no longer be your excuse.”
“That, and earlier today I had to watch Lord Holdenburg charm Lady Dallis. I wanted to punch the arrogant bastard.”
The men laughed, having experienced the same feeling toward Rory.
“I could host another dinner party,” Sidney suggested.
“NO!” Everybody shouted this at once, then laughed.
The last dinner party Sidney hosted, scandalous innuendoes were loudly spoken. There were tears, heartache, pleading, shocked guests, and new gossip for the ton. No, the last thing Rory needed was for Sidney to intervene on his part with another party.
He said, “While I appreciate your wonderful advice, I think I shall court Dallis in my own way.”
“Good luck,” the men muttered, while the women pouted on the sofa, because all their ideas for bringing Rory and Dallis together would not be allowed to hatch.
Talking to his friends about his problem eased Rory's doubts. However, he decided he would pursue Dallis on his own terms.
They needed their own love story.