“Good lord, you’ve never entertained the idea of wedlock before.” Frances groaned. “Oh my, I think I might have told her that too.”
“Frances!”
“You must talk to her again, Nat.”
“I have, several weeks ago.”
She gasped again. “And?”
“And I was rejected most vigorously.” He gave a sarcastic smile, which became a grimace as the hurt renewed in strength.
“I suppose it is to be expected. You two didn’t become friends from the start. She’s seen too much of your bad ways and been on the receiving end of your cutting words. And I’ve spoken of your ghastly women numerous times.”
“Thank you,” he murmured with heavy sarcasm. “Tell me again why I have anything to do with you?”
She slumped back on the seat. “And that dashing American has been paying attendance to her. He’s been in her company constantly. I’ve hardly seen her myself. You stand no chance against him for he is supremely handsome and so tall. I’ve heard of women swooning just by hearing him talk. It’s his accent, you know.”
Nat gritted his teeth. He’d like to do injury to that dashing American. It seemed the whole of the city had become drawn in with that man!
“Lord, I do hope she doesn’t marry him. I’ll never see her again.”
He felt as if someone had punched him in the gut. If Nicola married another, his life would be over. It was bad enough her rejecting him, but at least if she lived her life as a spinster working for the Governess Home she’d be close, and he could watch over her from a distance. But to have another man touch her, for him to receive her love… No. He couldn’t bear that.
“Perhaps you should again ask her to marry you, Nat, before he gets the chance.”
“I’ll think about it.” He ground out between clenched teeth. “Now drop the subject, please.”
“Well, don’t leave it too long, for heavens” sake.” She gave an unladylike sniff of disapproval. “If you’d been nicer when you first met Nicola things might have been very different by now.”
“Indeed.” Didn’t she know he’d already gone down that tortuous route? Didn’t she think he’d done nothing but punish himself repeatedly?
“Find your charm and work it on her, Nat. I’m begging you.”
“She sees through it, Fran.” He sighed at the truth of it. “She thinks nothing of me and she is correct to do so.”
The carriage slowed outside the assembly hall and within minutes they were walking into the building, divesting their outer clothes and waiting in the line to be greeted.
“Mr Warner is standing next to his uncle Belfroy,” Frances whispered. She craned her neck to look beyond the tall man in front of them. “Is Nicola there?”
Nat grasped her elbow and they stepped forward. He studied Warner. The man laughed at something a guest said and then he turned and brought Nicola into view, laying a possessive hand on her arm. Not that she seemed to mind. Her face glowed with good health and happiness. Her beauty radiated out to Nat like a beacon. He’d never seen her looking so magnificent. Tonight she wore a shimmering gown the colour of which changed in the lamplight like mother-of-pearl. No woman came close to her.
His throat went dry as they inched closer and finally he shook hands with old Belfroy before moving on to Warner.
“So glad you could attend tonight’s festivities.” Warner’s accent grated on Nat’s raw nerves.
“Wouldn’t have missed it,” he muttered, watching Frances and Nicola embrace each other.
Warner cupped Nicola’s elbow. “This is Miss Nicola Douglas, the—”
“I know Miss Douglas.” Nat dismissed him with a nod and stood in front of Nicola. Her lovely eyes dispelled his anger and as she smiled tentatively at him, he fought the urge to crush her into his arms. “Good evening, Miss Douglas.”
She held out her hand and he took it, relishing the warmth of it. “Thank you for coming, Mr West.”
“Will you save me a dance later?”
“That I will.” She lowered her gaze and he felt the need to move on as others came along the line.
Frances took his arm and they walked into the reception room, nodding to acquaintances. Was all of Sydney here tonight? How long would he have to wait before he could claim his dance?
Christ, he needed a drink.
From the corner of her eye, Nicola watched Nathaniel leave the room and enter the ballroom with Frances. Thank heavens no one could see her inner turmoil. Seeing Warner and Nathaniel shake hands was too much. It