“You may be wondering why you were all invited to dinner on such short notice.” Papa stood at his place, beaming proudly, his gaze landing on Greg and Bella, breaking her from her thoughts. “And I do thank you all for being here this evening. It is not every day that a man learns he will lose his daughter in marriage, and the fact that you’ve all come means—”
“For God’s sakes, Aylesford,” Grandfather snapped. “Arabella has landed Lord Avery. Have your man put less starch in your cravats. Sit down so we can eat.”
Papa paled slightly, but did take his seat amidst a chorus of gasps and sighs in the dining room. Across the table, Lord Sarsden’s eyes widened at the announcement, his dark eyes focusing quite intently on Greg. What if he said something now, in front of everyone? Oh, Bella, really might be sick.
“Congratulations, my dear,” Bella’s cousin Chase whispered from his spot beside her, putting her slightly at ease.
“Thank you,” she whispered back and caught Prissa’s gaze a few people away.
Her sister’s hand fluttered to her heart in surprise. Drat it all, if Bella had seen her sister at all before now, she would have broken the news to her privately.
Goodness! She hated lying. She hated deceiving her sister who looked so genuinely happy for her. The mere idea made a fresh wave of nausea wash over Bella. How could she face Prissa when all of this was over? How could she face Papa? But what other choice did she have?
“Are you all right?” Greg whispered just loud enough for her to hear.
Bella shrugged slightly. “I’m afraid I’m not very good at any of this.”
“It’ll get easier,” he promised. “After tonight, the worst of it will be—”
“Have you set a date?” Lord Lockington asked, his voice ringing out through the dining hall.
Once again, all eyes landed squarely on Greg and Bella. A date? Why hadn’t she thought about an answer to that? What if Papa wanted to acquire a special license and see her safely married to Greg before Johann ever stepped foot in London? What if right this moment—
“I sent word to my brother in Ireland this afternoon,” Greg replied smoothly. “As I’m most adamant my entire family be present for the services.”
Oh, that was a good answer.
“You have a brother in Ireland?” Grandfather spat as though the word was bitter on his tongue.
Greg nodded, once again seemingly completely unflummoxed by Grandfather’s temperament. “County Kildaire. Recently married. His wife’s family hails from the area.” Then he turned his attention once more to Lord Lockington. “Anyway, once I work through our collective schedules, Bella and I will make an announcement regarding the date. And, of course, we’ll need to speak with the rector at St. George’s and secure a spot.”
“Of course.” Lockington nodded as though that made perfect sense.
And it did, actually. Greg truly was amazing with how deftly he managed this situation and her family. He said he’d had lots of practice as far as acting the part went, and she suspected he was correct on that score. He seemed completely unfazed by her grandfather’s sharp tone and unkind words. Was that all an act too? Perhaps. Part of her didn’t care. She just wished she felt as confident as he seemed to.
Chapter 9
Greg watchedBella across the dimly-lit carriage and couldn’t help but wonder if the two of them would be able to pull off this entire endeavor. It would be easier, he supposed if he’d known her more than a day. She looked just as worried, as he felt. And that wouldn’t help their situation, not with her father planted next to her on the bench and not with her souse of a brother planted next to Greg.
They were about to make an official announcement about their betrothal in front of half the ton, or at least as many members of polite society as would be present at Kelfield’s, which might not be very many. But however many people were in attendance, tomorrow it would be quite known that Greg and Bella intended to wed. Greg’s stomach felt more than a little queasy at the prospect of lying to so many people and for who knew how long.
But in regards to queasiness, Greg shot his would-be brother-in-law a wary glance, hoping the man hadn’t imbibed so much over dinner that they were in danger of him casting up his accounts across the floor of the conveyance. There was, after all, only so much a fellow could take in that regard.
The coach rambled to a stop in front of Kelfield House, the lamps from inside casting a warm glow onto the stoop and walk below. The footman opened the door and Greg was quite happy to step from the conveyance. Honestly, the more distance he put between himself and Gillingham, the safer he and his wardrobe would be.
Greg offered his hand to Bella, and in the moonlight, her silvery eyes twinkled just so. The beauty of her almost took his breath away and he thought perhaps, with a bit of luck, they might be able to pull this off. Perhaps.
“Thank you,” she said softly as Greg helped her alight from the coach.
“My pleasure,” he replied and then placed her hand on his arm to lead her up the steps.
He knew her father and brother where somewhere behind them, as well as Sarsden, Lockington and their wives who’d followed in another coach, but Greg didn’t want to think about any of them. Doing so would only make him more nervous, and Bella was already trembling slightly, though he doubted anyone else noticed. He should be trying to put her at ease, but he felt far from at ease himself.
And then she glanced up at him, a beautiful smile on her lips and Greg’s mouth went a little dry. God in Heaven, she looked at him as though he was the noblest of heroes, and he wished that he was worthy of her expression. But he wasn’t noble, and he wasn’t a hero, not in the least. He wondered briefly if they could last the duration of their pretend betrothal without her ever being the wiser of that fact. And if they could, would it even be fair for her to think he was a better man than he really was?
Aylesford and Gillingham were now right on their heels as the Kelfield’s young butler ushered the lot of them inside the house and directed them toward the ballroom. Greg muttered their names for a footman at the entrance, who in turn announced the four of them quite loudly as they stepped over the threshold.
“Greg!” Olivia, the Duchess of Kelfield, appeared at his side a moment later. “Cordie said you’d be here soon. Thank you so much for coming.”