The Sherbrooke Bride - Catherine Coulter [75]
And just how, Douglas wondered, was he to do that?
Aunt Mildred sat back and regarded her veal stew in awful gloom.
The Dowager Countess of Northcliffe said in a loud, clear voice, “I agree, Mildred. It is distressing, all of it. However, Douglas isn’t to blame. It’s Tony and this girl here. Tony took Melissande and left Douglas with this—this—”
“Mother,” Douglas said, leaning forward, his voice low and deadly calm, “you will moderate your speech. I am master here and I will be the one to decide what is to be or not to be.”
“Ah,” said Sinjun, grinning at her brother, “that is the question, isn’t it?”
Douglas gave it up. He had no control over anyone, even his fifteen-year-old sister.
The dowager continued after a moment, just a bit moderated. “Lady Melissande, should you like some more apple tart? It’s quite tasty, one of cook’s specialties.”
Melissande shook her head and asked her husband in a lowered voice, “Who is this Juliette?”
“Ah, my love, Juliette is second only to you in her beauty. But second, I swear it.”
“I would like to meet her,” said Melissande. “She sounds charming.”
Oh Lord, Douglas thought, that was all he needed, two exquisite diamonds glittering around his house making every man in their vicinity hard with lust, and numb in the brain, and incoherent in speech.
“Well,” said Aunt Mildred, “there is no way to prevent her arrival unless a highwayman kidnaps her.”
“Now that is a thought,” Tony said, grinning toward Douglas who was looking at Alexandra. “What do you say, Tysen? You’ve been very quiet. Would you like to court this Juliette?”
“Oh no,” Sinjun said. “Tysen is in love with Melinda Beatrice, but he will get over it soon enough.” Then Sinjun made all the motions of praying.
Tysen looked ready to box his sister’s ears. He restrained himself, saying with all the seriousness of a hanging judge, “I am shortly returning to Oxford. To complete my divinity studies. This Juliette indeed sounds charming, but I cannot remain. I am sorry, Tony.”
That stopped all conversation.
Douglas looked over at Alexandra.
She had effectively removed herself, he realized. She’d closed down and moved inward. Oh, she was still seated in her chair, but the spark in her was effectively doused. She looked pale and cold and flattened.
Douglas couldn’t bear it. He tossed his napkin on his plate and pushed back his chair. “Alexandra, you will accompany me to the library, if you please.” Douglas had learned his lesson. Instead of merely walking out of the dining room, assuming she would instantly follow him, he remained standing beside her chair, waiting. She looked up at him and sighed. No more scenes, she thought, knowing that suddenly everyone at the table, Hollis and the two footmen, all of them were holding their breaths, waiting to see what outrageous act she would pull next.
“Certainly, my lord,” she said, and allowed Harry to pull back her chair. She even placed her hand on Douglas’s proffered forearm.
“Excuse us,” Douglas said. “Please continue. Tony, do strive for a little conversation. And don’t shred my character any more than has already been done.”
“I shall tell an anecdote from our misspent youth,” Tony said, his eyes on Alexandra.
“Oh yes, do,” Sinjun said. “I remember both Douglas and Ryder were greatly misspent.”
The dowager countess said in a penetrating voice just as Douglas and Alexandra were nearly out of the dining room, “Poor Douglas. Whatever will he do with that one? You were a wicked boy, Tony, to saddle him with the likes of her and keep this beautiful jewel for yourself.”
Melissande, to Douglas’s surprise, said, “Alexandra is my sister, ma’am. You will not speak of her in a displeasing manner, if you please.”
“Hummmph,” said the dowager countess.
“Well done, love,” Tony said very close to his wife’s beautifully perfect small ear.
“Yes,” Melissande said, “I rather thought you would approve.”
“You are learning,” he said slowly. “Perhaps