Page 59 of To Steal a Duchess

Indeed, they had been helped by their daughter’s marriage to him, and Dorian had no doubt it had anything to do with Lord Wittby using him as a son-in-law to better his business connections.

“Your Grace!” Lady Wittby called out, her hands going right to the sides of his face, and Dorian turned, making a point of avoiding her gesture by taking two wine glasses off the passing tray from a server. He pressed one into Eloise’s hand with a small wink.

Lady Wittby took the slight in stride, her beaming smile only faltering for a second.

“Lady Wittby.” Dorian bowed, taking her hand to kiss cordially. “Lord Wittby.” He followed his greeting up with a strong handshake. “I trust you are both enjoying your evening.”

“Oh, indeed. It is all the better for your arrival. Heavens, just moments before your arrival, the room was quite alive with debates over whether you would show.”

Dorian noticed Lady Wittby barely looked at Eloise, and she had not yet greeted her.

Lord Wittby chuckled. “I dare say some of us gentlemen were placing some bets. All in good taste, of course. I admit I thought you would show, so my pockets will be heavier when I leave tonight.”

Dorian hummed in response, trying not to look as stoic as he felt toward them. He was not in the mood for their pretenses. So he gestured with his wine toward Eloise before he pulled her a step closer.

“And the arrival of your daughter has also made the night even better, I am certain,” he said, bringing Eloise into conversation.

He could not stand their dismissal of her, and he hated himself for putting her through days of disappearing and shutting down conversations when she had first moved to Oldcliff Hall.

“Of course,” Lady Wittby said, but her voice had dropped the false high-pitched tone she had used for him. Her pleasant voice, the one he had noticed Eloise had stopped using the more she teased him. “How good to see you, Eloise.”

“Likewise, Mama,” Eloise answered, but neither of them seemed pleased. “And Father, you are looking well.”

“And why should I not be?” the man chuckled. “My coffers are heavier than ever thanks to this charming duke right here who stole your heart.”

Dorian gritted his teeth, trying to bear their insufferable ways.

“Although, I cannot help but notice, darling,” Lady Wittby said, the term of endearment dripping with condescension, “that you do not look as though you are with child. You do know you are supposed to do such wifely duties upon your wedding night? I told you as much enough times.”

“Mama!” Eloise snapped. “You say this so publicly?”

Even Dorian could see that people around them were leaning in. And he did know it was the question the ton was asking, and he hated that they would give the answer without even choosing to.

“Everyone is asking, Eloise,” Lady Wittby tutted. “Do not be so surprised. I wish to know for myself. It is a wife’s duty to continue her husband’s line.”

“Then you may keep on wondering.” Eloise’s voice was still hard, still cracking at the edges as she glared at her mother. Dorian knew it was time to make their exit.

“Ah, I see Lord Langford right over there,” Dorian said, pointing his wine glass in the direction of his friend, who was milling by the open door at the far end of the ballroom.

Perfect. It was far enough from Eloise’s parents.

Without a goodbye, he pulled her away and she couldn’t move fast enough. Before they even got to their friends, Eloise had finished her glass.

“Do not say a word,” she said when he opened his mouth, her eyes cutting to him.

“I was only going to offer you to have another.” He frowned. “I thought you could do with it after that… interaction.”

“I have warned you about them,” Eloise muttered but gratefully took his offer. He passed her a fresh glass while he remained sipping his own as they moved through the crowd.

“I do not think you have even told me the half of their awfulness,” Dorian muttered. “But for now, let us join our friends, and listen to news of their wedding plans, and we will dance again. Will you dance with me here, as we did in Oldcliff?”

Eloise’s eyes met his, and something knocked against his ribcage like earlier. Something he did not like; something that reared its head whenever he looked at her.

“Of course I will,” she murmured.

He nodded, and then took her arm again, before they were finally noticed by Gideon and Nancy.

“Well, well!” Gideon called, extending his arms out to embrace them both. Dorian let his friend pull him into a brief, friendly embrace as Nancy hugged Eloise. “If it is not the ton’s most talked-about couple tonight.”