The Matter of a Marquess - Jess Michaels Page 0,32

but he had a chance here and he had to take it.

“Aurora,” he began, taking a long step across the room toward her.

Her gaze lit up, desire and fear and warmth all at once. “Yes?”

Before he could say anything more, though, Morgan and Lizzie came through the door together, laughing and talking, and were swiftly followed by the Duke and Duchess of Northfield. Nicholas pursed his lips at the interruption, even as he tried to force a polite greeting. Yet another opportunity stolen.

Aurora shrugged slightly in his direction, as if to tell him that they’d tried. Then she began to compliment Lizzie on her beautiful gown. The moment passed, and he wondered when the next would come. Could he manage it differently so he could actually have what he wanted, figure out what he needed, and move the hell on at last?

Within an hour of the ball starting, Nicholas was looking for a way out. He certainly wasn’t in the mood to participate in frivolity and small talk, not when his gaze kept shifting across the room toward Aurora. It was difficult to tell how her night was going. She smiled and chatted with their friends, but in the moments when she was alone, she looked exhausted. A reflection of his own feelings, truth be told.

He’d always watched this world from a comfortable distance. As a child, a servant’s son, he’d peeked in through the curtain. Later, when he was dragged to things by friends who had a higher place in the world, he’d stood on the edges. But tonight he was on full display, the center of attention thanks to Robert’s actions. People approached him, talked to him. Ladies watched him. He had no idea if that was a positive or negative, but it was happening and it was very disconcerting.

“…don’t you think, Mr. Gillingham?”

Nicholas blinked and forced his attention back to his companion. He was currently standing with a viscount whose name he had promptly forgotten the moment the man started droning on about his vast wealth and holdings. Was it Stephenson? Sweetington? Something with an S, at any rate.

“I…yes,” Nicholas said. “I agree.”

He found it was easier to play along than to try to figure out what the real topic was. And the answer seemed to make the man happy, for he grinned. “I had my hesitations about you, I admit. A title should be a birthright, I’ve always said.”

Nicholas’s jaw began to tighten and he gripped his cane until his knuckles went white. “I’m sure you’re not the only one.”

“But talking to you, I’m sure you’ll make an excellent addition to the Upper Ten Thousand.”

Nicholas forced a smile, but felt no joy. He supposed he should. Every time a man of title supported his cause, it created another voice to add to the chorus of those who said he should be marquess. It would all filter back to those in charge of those decisions. But in this moment, staring at the grinning face of the man at his side, Nicholas found himself questioning the future he’d wanted.

A lifetime making chitchat with people like this? Of agreeing to God knew what awful statement just to create a sense of camaraderie with a man who wasn’t fit to shine the boots of those Nicholas had fought beside years ago?

Not that there weren’t decent and good men in their upper ranks. Northfield had proven himself of great distinction and decency in the few days Nicholas had known him. And Morgan talked often about his employer, the Duke of Brighthollow, as a man one could have faith in. If Nicholas could call those kinds of men friends, he would be proud.

But this wasn’t pride. This was…bootlicking. And his stomach turned at it.

“It was a great pleasure to meet you, my lord,” Nicholas said with a deferential nod. “However, I think I ought to…”

“Check on that rascal of a brother of yours?” the viscount said with a chuckle. “Best do it or he might find himself on the outs with his duchess.” He motioned to the dancefloor, and Nicholas turned.

Robert was dancing with Aurora. His brother guided her around the dancefloor and they were obviously having an animated and pleasant conversation.

“Why should Roseford not dance with one of his guests?” he asked, mesmerized by how right this image was.

He felt no jealousy that Aurora danced with Robert. His brother’s reputation was an old one. He clearly loved Katherine. Nicholas was actually very pleased with the fact that Robert would give Aurora