Duke of Disrepute (Dukes of Distinction #3) - Alexa Aston Page 0,76
bought a special license.”
He nodded. “I purchased it yesterday. George wanted me to wait a week before I spoke to Elise. I can’t.”
“You love her,” Sam said, wonder in her voice. “You do love her.”
“Yes,” he confirmed. “I don’t see why I should waste time pretending to court other women when all I want is to be with her. I even went to St George’s after leaving Doctors’ Commons to see what dates the chapel was open. Since the Season has just begun, their calendar is wide open.”
“You think Elise will want a big society wedding?” George asked.
“I don’t know. Especially with it being a second marriage for her. If she does, the chapel is available. If she prefers a more intimate affair, we will do that.”
“We will host the wedding breakfast for you. I insist,” Sam said. “And if you do decide upon a small gathering, you are more than welcome to hold the wedding here.”
“Thank you. Now, all I have to do is ask her. I’m actually nervous about doing so.”
George chuckled. “Afraid to give up being a bachelor?”
“No—afraid she may turn me down.”
“Why would she?” his sister asked. “Just be sure to tell her you love her. Elise is not interested in the things women usually want from a marriage. She needs to know that you love her. The rest will take care of itself.”
“How do you feel about her already having a child?” George asked.
“I’ll admit that factored into my decision. I adore Claire. Gaining a wife and a child at the same time is merely a bonus.”
“That’s good to know,” his friend said. “Not every man would be so generous. So, tonight is the night then?”
“Yes.” Weston rose. “I’m off now. Thank you.”
“For what?” Sam asked.
He smiled. “For just being you.” He went and kissed her cheek. “I am very happy for you and George. I hope that Elise will soon be in the same state. Nothing would please me more.”
Weston left and decided to avoid his usual haunts. He didn’t feel like seeing anyone else. He needed to figure out how to ask Elise to marry him.
And then he hit on the perfect idea.
*
Elise heard the clock chime four and rose.
Addressing her visitors, she said, “Thank you for calling on me today, my lords. I hope to see all of you at tonight’s ball.”
Immediately, Viscount Dorsley said, “You must save the supper dance for me, Lady Ruthersby.”
The three other gentlemen protested and Elise shushed them. “No, my lord. You must sign my programme as all the others do. I won’t play favorites and reserve a dance for you.”
He grinned. “Then I shall arrive half an hour before the ball starts and be first in line.”
The others grumbled good-naturedly and she nodded at Smithson, who’d just stepped inside the drawing room. The butler asked for the visitors to follow him. Almost immediately, however, he returned.
“May I speak with you a moment, my lady?” the butler quietly asked Elise.
“Of course,” she replied.
“Is Treadwell here yet, Smithson?” her sister-in-law asked.
“No, my lady.”
“Hmm. I wondered what’s keeping him. He’s usually so very prompt,” the countess said.
“I do not know if His Grace is coming this afternoon,” Elise told her sister-in-law. “I’ve received no note from him indicating he would be here.”
The countess looked peeved. “Then what about arrangements for tonight’s ball? Surely, he will come and escort us there.”
“We do have a carriage, my dear,” the earl said. “It can convey us to the ball.”
“I want Treadwell to take us,” she whined.
Elise didn’t say anything more and indicated for Smithson to leave with her. In the corridor she paused.
“What is wrong?” she asked.
“It’s Lord Ivy,” he said.
She’d forgotten to tell the butler yesterday that she wouldn’t be home to Lord Ivy and he had been one of her callers. Fortunately, he’d left before Weston arrived so there’d been no confrontation between the two. The viscount hadn’t been at the musicale last night so she hadn’t needed to avoid him. She had since instructed Smithson not to allow him in.
“Did he show up this afternoon?”
“He did, my lady. Pushed his way past me, he did. He’s waiting in the small parlor. I told him you weren’t at home but he told me he would wait until you arrived and speak with you then.”
“Very well. I’ll see him and make it clear to him that in the future he is not to call.”
Smithson followed her downstairs and said, “I’ll be waiting outside the door if you need me, my lady.”