John woke that morning with a sense of anticipation. Today his sisters would arrive.
He’d been disappointed to learn they weren’t bringing his nieces and nephews, but he understood their reasons. It didn’t make sense to subject them to such a long carriage ride for a short visit. Maybe next summer, after he and Amelia were wed, they’d be in a position to invite his family for a much longer stay.
He smiled as he imagined the scene while his valet set out the clothing he would be wearing that day. Perhaps Amelia would be round with child then. They’d taken care to ensure she wouldn’t fall pregnant before marrying, but one could never be completely certain it wouldn’t happen anyway. The sooner he married her, the better.
He’d left London on good terms with his sisters and their husbands, but a part of him had wanted to escape their constant hovering. Now, only three months later, he couldn’t wait to see them again.
He’d fallen into the pattern of his new life with surprising ease. So much so that hosting his two friends at Brock Manor set him off-balance at first. And today he would be welcoming his sisters and their spouses. Another landmark in that life.
His friends were already awake when he reached the main floor, having fallen in with his daily habit of going for a ride first thing in the morning.
Together, they ventured farther than he normally did when he was alone, but with the ball only two days away, he knew Amelia wouldn’t be waiting to have breakfast with him. Since his friends’ arrival, she’d taken to having breakfast sent to her room. Afterward, she spent the rest of the morning occupied with whatever it was women did when a social event they were about to host was fast approaching.
His friends took every opportunity to remark on his good fortune at being so far from his family. Their own relations—who’d been happy to send them off to war—now seemed intent on seeing them settled and producing children.
It felt decadent to spend days with his friends. Riding, taking their meals together, engaging in a rousing game of billiards. The days were worlds apart from how they’d spent the past few years together. Jeffers was handling the day-to-day running of the estate, but John couldn’t quell the itch under his skin that seemed to prod him to do more. He’d never been a man of leisure, and it seemed he was now too old to start.
It didn’t help that he rarely caught a glimpse of Amelia throughout the day. Seeing her only when they all gathered for dinner wasn’t enough for him.
It was fast approaching the dinner hour when a footman interrupted their billiard game to inform him that his family’s carriages were approaching. He’d played so often over the past two days that he’d gone from being the worst player to coming close to Ashford’s considerable skill.
Ashford put away his cue and began to retrieve the billiard balls, setting them up for their next game. “Saved from the ignominy of defeat at the hands of a novice.”
Cranston chuckled. “He’s fast outstripped my meager skill. I can’t wait to see the look on your face when he defeats you.”
“Perhaps, but that day has yet to arrive.”
John clapped them on the back and took his leave without another word. He’d always been amused by the rivalry that existed between his two friends, but in that moment he wanted only to see his family again.
His friends caught up and flanked him as he made his way to the front hall.
“You never did tell us who your sisters married.”
It was a question Cranston had asked several times, but John had always sidestepped the issue. Until his return to England, it was because he felt lacking in comparison. But that was no longer true.
“My eldest sister is married to the Marquess of Overlea and the other to the Earl of Kerrick.”
Ashford whistled. “That’s pretty lofty company, but then again I can now count a marquess as one of my good friends.”
John grunted a noncommittal response, then nodded to the butler as he passed before striding outside. Two carriages had just drawn to a halt several feet away. His friends stood back and watched the scene unfold in silence.
John watched, anticipation curling within, as his brothers-in-law stepped down from their separate carriages and turned to help their wives. Catherine emerged first and turned toward him. The smile that spread across her face seemed to reach right inside him and squeeze his heart.
When he turned to look for his eldest sister, he saw the way she smiled at her husband as he helped her down. Overlea gazed down at his wife with a fondness that caused a small pang of remorse to go through him. They’d already made amends, yet he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to forgive himself for the way he’d treated this man in the past.
He met his sisters halfway as they threw themselves into his arms.
Catherine stepped back first, but Louisa gripped him for several seconds longer before doing the same.
“It is so good to see you again,” his elder sister said.
He gave a small huff of amusement at her tendency toward exaggeration. “It’s only been three months.”
“That may be, but I have ten years of missing you to make up for.”
Overlea clapped him on the shoulder and drew his wife back. “It is good to see you again, Lowenbrock.”
John made a face. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to that.”
His brother-in-law gave him a look that said he well understood the sentiment. With an older brother who’d passed away unexpectedly, Overlea had never expected to inherit the title.
Kerrick moved to his wife’s side and greeted him with warmth.
Catherine slid her arm through his. “I thought my husband was having fun at my expense when he told me you were hosting a ball.”
“Believe me, it wasn’t at the top of my list of things I needed to do.”
Louisa, who’d taken her husband’s arm as well, tilted her head to one side. “Then why hold it? I doubt anyone would have counted it against you if you’d waited until next year.”
“It was either hold a ball and meet everyone in the neighboring areas at once or suffer through an unending parade of calls from lords who wanted me to meet their unwed daughters.”
Kerrick shot Overlea a knowing look. “Welcome to our world. The only solution is to wed.”
Catherine frowned at her husband. “And even then, there is no end to the women who want to have a liaison with your husband.”
“We can’t be held responsible for what others attempt,” Overlea said with a small chuckle. But the frown Louisa aimed his way had him turning it into a cough.
“Yes, well, at least I won’t be the sole recipient of the neighbors’ machinations.”
He turned to Ashford and Cranston and made the introductions, and then the groups returned to the house.
“How are the children doing? I’m sure they’ll miss you while you’re away.”
“I’m sure they will.” Louisa’s smile was bright, but John knew from the way her eyebrows drew together for a brief moment that she missed them as well. “They’re staying with His Grace and their brood.”
“His Grace?” Ashford aimed a curious glance at John.
“The Duke of Clarington,” Overlea said. “The children are the best of friends, and we take turns hosting them at our houses for a month over the summer. It worked out that this year it was their turn.”
Catherine gave him a sly glance. “Perhaps after this ball, you’ll also be well on your way to starting your own families.” She smiled at his friends.
As one, the two men coughed, and John couldn’t hold back his bark of laughter. They cast a strange look his way, and he realized he might have tipped his hand about his future plans.
“Someone will see you to your rooms. But first I’d like a chance to speak to my sisters alone.”
“Of course,” Cranston said. “This will give Ashford the opportunity to brush up on his billiard skills.”
Ashford glared at him, and John knew that if his sisters weren’t present, he would have fouled the air with a ripe curse.
“Billiards?” Kerrick raised a brow. “I might join you in a bit. It wouldn’t hurt to brush up on my skills as well.”
Overlea gave his head a shake. “Don’t allow this shark fleece you into betting any money.”
A corner of Kerrick’s mouth kicked up. “You can’t blame a man for trying.”
The men left and headed their separate ways—Overlea and Kerrick following the footmen upstairs and his friends heading back to the billiard room. John inclined his head toward the drawing room and then followed his sisters there.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been this far north before.” Louisa made her way to the settee and sat, Catherine following suit.
“Indeed,” Catherine said with a wry tilt of her head. “Are we still in England?”
John dropped onto an armchair with a groan. Ashford had made the same joke. “You could have stayed home if you didn’t want to make the trip.”
Louisa shook her head. “We’re just teasing. Now tell us how things are going. Truly. It looks like you’ve settled in nicely but we’d be more than happy to lend our assistance.”
Some things in life remained ever constant. Louisa’s desire to jump in and take everyone’s burdens onto her own shoulders was one of them. That tendency had bothered him in the past, making him believe that she saw him as little more than a child. But now he realized it came from a place of love and wanting only to help ease his burdens.
“Everything here is fine. But there is one thing I want to tell you.”
Catherine leaned forward. “Don’t be coy with us.”
He chuckled. While Louisa’s first tendency was to assume something horrible had happened, Catherine’s was to display an unending amount of curiosity.
“I’ve already explained the reason for hosting the ball—”
“You’ve already met someone!” Catherine almost bounced in her seat as she straightened.
His sisters shared a meaningful glance before Louisa spoke.
“Is that true? We’ll be meeting someone at the ball who has already caught your attention?”
“Not exactly.” He almost laughed at the twin expressions of disappointment on his sisters’ faces. “The former marquess has a niece who is still in residence. We’ve formed an attachment, and she has accepted my proposal of marriage.”
This time Catherine did bounce as she reached for Louisa’s hand and extended her other hand toward John. He leaned forward to grasp it, unable to restrain his grin.
“That is wonderful,” Catherine said, squeezing his hand. “I’m so happy for you.”
Louisa reached out to add a hand to theirs. “This is joyous news indeed. When will we be able to meet her?”
John placed his other hand over those of his sisters, giving them one last squeeze before releasing them and leaning back. “She’ll be joining us for dinner. And while I don’t expect you to keep this from your husbands, I would ask that you not discuss it with anyone else before the announcement is made.”
A small frown formed between Catherine’s brows. “You haven’t told your friends?”
Louisa laughed. “He means to use them as a shield against the unattached women when he breaks their hearts.”
John winced. That wasn’t precisely true, but he couldn’t deny his friends wouldn’t be happy to learn they’d be the only bachelors at the ball.
“Actually, I thought to spare Miss Weston the embarrassment of speculation. But I realize now that tongues will wag regardless.”
“So you are planning to tell them?” One corner of Louisa’s mouth rose as though she already knew his response.
“Well, now that you’ve raised the very practical issue of having a shield in place…”
His sisters burst into laughter.
“You are terrible,” Catherine said. “They’re going to murder you for not giving them any warning.”
“I have no doubt they’ll exact some form of revenge, but that is a problem for another time. First we have to survive the ball.”
“And you said we’ll meet her today?” Louisa asked as she rose to her feet.
Catherine followed suit, as did he.
“Of course. She’s nervous, and I think the added guests will help. Her friend, Miss Mary Trenton, is also visiting.”
“That’s silly. I’m sure we’ll like her just fine.” Louisa’s brow furled in concentration. “As for Miss Trenton, I don’t think I’ve met her.”
“I believe I have. She’s the sister to Baron Fairbanks’s wife. It was only the one time, however. If she joins them in town when Parliament is in session, she doesn’t make it a habit of frequenting the social events.”
Louisa had fallen quiet, but the stiff set of her shoulders telegraphed her concern. John knew exactly what she was thinking. He didn’t particularly want to have this conversation, but it would be best to get it out of the way.
“You’re worried.”
He could tell that Louisa was trying to hide her doubts, but even after all these years, he could still tell when she was preparing herself to deliver bad news. The way she clenched her hands together hadn’t changed. Nor the way she squared her shoulders before meeting his gaze.
“When you left England and joined the army all those years ago, you were angry because I had agreed to wed Nicholas.”
“Can you blame me? All I knew about the man was that he was the head of the family that had destroyed ours. I was young and impetuous back then, and I judged him before getting to know him. But I’m glad everything worked out between the two of you, and between Catherine and Kerrick.”
“I have to ask…” Louisa took a deep breath before continuing. “You gave up the future my marriage would have provided you, insisting you could find some form of employment to help the family. Are you sure you’re not doing the same thing here? Sacrificing your future to save Miss Weston?”
He’d already given that matter some thought. Especially since he knew his friends would tease him again about rushing in to rescue unprotected women. But he’d long since come to the realization that his feelings for Amelia went far beyond duty.
“I understand why you feel the need to ask. And setting aside the fact that you did exactly what you’re accusing me of when you wed Overlea, I want to assure you that isn’t the case here. The way I feel about Amelia…” He had to look away for a moment to regain his composure. “There is no comparison between the two situations. I do want to take care of her, but I feel so much more for her.”
Catherine sighed. “You love her.”
John paused for a moment to consider her words. Love in a marriage wasn’t something that was expected among the ton. It was true he hadn’t been raised as the heir to the Lowenbrock title, but that didn’t mean he’d expected to find someone he could claim to love in a romantic fashion. After all, Louisa had married for practical reasons. It wasn’t until he saw her with her husband now, and Catherine with Kerrick, that he’d realized they both had relationships built on love.
And the way he felt about Amelia… She lit up a room with her mere presence. Her wit, her beauty, her intelligence… He was also proud of her desire to become an author. He couldn’t imagine living his life without her. She brought joy and a sense of belonging into his life that he couldn’t imagine being without.
He smiled. “Yes, I do.”
Louisa tilted her head and examined him for a moment. “But you haven’t told her.”
“Excuse me?” He crossed his arms, not caring if the action might appear defensive.
“Have you told her that you love her?” Catherine asked.
He felt his chest tighten. She did know he loved her, didn’t she? “Miss Weston knows that I care for her—I’ve told her as much. And I did propose marriage.”
Louisa took one of his arms and Catherine the other, both wearing expressions of indulgent exasperation.
“You need to give her the words,” Louisa said. “I know men like to believe their actions should be proof of just how much they care, but women like to hear those three words.”
“Those words being ‘I love you,’” Catherine added.
John glared at her. “Thank you for explaining.”
Catherine shrugged and reached up to place a kiss on his cheek. “I’m only trying to help.”
Louisa did the same on his other cheek and stepped away. “Now, can you have someone show us where you’ve hidden our husbands?”
John shook his head in exasperation and rang for a footman to do just that. Much as he didn’t want to admit it even to himself, he realized his sisters might just know a thing or two about a woman’s feelings. He hated when they were right.