Good Dukes Wear Black by Manda Collins

Author:Manda Collins
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781466866812
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Eleven

“Remember, you promised to dance at least two sets with Lord Goring,” Mrs. Dauntry reminded Ophelia as they rode, along with Mr. Dauntry and Mariah, to the Kinston ball that evening. Though in many households it would be unusual for the elder daughter to remain unmatched while the younger was betrothed, in this case, Mrs. Dauntry had tolerated the situation because she considered Ophelia and Lord Goring all but betrothed already.

Mr. Dauntry, however, had other ideas. “Why are you encouraging her to dance with that milksop?” he demanded of his wife. Though they’d doubtless discussed the matter any number of times, Ophelia suspected he pretended to forget about her mother’s plans for Lord Goring out of sheer dislike for the man and a wish to needle his wife. “She’s got more spirit in her little finger than that fellow has in his entire body.”

“You know very well, Mr. Dauntry,” her mother said stiffly, “that Ophelia has been promised to Lord Goring for some time now. It’s just a matter of his asking the question. And I will not have you speak of him in that way. He is the son of my dearest friend, as you well know.”

“How is that being promised?” he demanded, his dark brows contrasting with his white hair. “Sounds to me like something you and Lady Goring cooked up between you two without consulting Ophelia or her supposed suitor.”

Though she knew it was wrong to take pleasure in her mother’s discomfort, Ophelia could not help but appreciate her father’s championship. Especially since she was no more eager to marry Lord Goring than her father was to call the man son-in-law.

“It would be better for Ophelia to simply accept the match with good grace,” Mariah interjected with the insufferably smug air she’d adopted since she’d accepted Kinston’s proposal. “It’s not as if she has any other prospects. And this way, she will avoid being the butt of jokes as the unmarried elder sister.”

“There’s no possibility of a match if the fellow doesn’t ask me,” Mr. Dauntry reminded Mariah archly. “And even if he did I wouldn’t give my consent. Bad enough we’re allowing a bacon brain like Kinston into the family. I don’t think we can stand to add someone like Goring.”

Fortunately for Mr. Dauntry’s continued health, his wife and Mariah were diverted from their ire at his statement by the halt of the carriage before the Kinstons’ town house.

Ophelia allowed her mother and sister to disembark first, and was rewarded with a grin from her father as he handed her down. “Find yourself some other man with a bit of sense tonight, my girl,” he said, chucking her under the cheek. “I should hate to see your spirit broken by a match with that milksop. Son or no son of your mama’s dearest friend, he’s not good enough for you.”

Though he was, at times, gruff and distant, Ophelia loved her father for these times when he stood up for her. Her mother loved her, she knew, but it always seemed as if she’d love her more if she’d only do this or that.

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