Blackwood's Lady. Gail Whitiker

him in your net and brought him home. Well done, my dear, well done!’

      ‘Thank you, Aunt Glynn, although I don’t know that he is any the less elusive now,’ Nicola told her aunt with a smile. ‘He merely slipped in long enough to propose before slipping right out again. I have not seen him this sennight.’

      ‘Well, that is not such a bad thing,’ said Lady Dorchester complacently. ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder, you know.’

      ‘Perhaps, but it would have been nice had Lord Blackwood stayed around long enough to give me something to grow fond of,’ Nicola observed dryly. ‘I can hardly miss a man I know nothing about.’

      Lady Dorchester glanced at her niece shrewdly. ‘I take it this is not a love match, then?’

      ‘Oh, dear, no, far from it.’ Nicola laughed as she recalled the wording of the marquis’s proposal. ‘Lord Blackwood was very straightforward when it came to telling me exactly what he expected in the future marchioness.’

      ‘And that is?’

      ‘A sensible woman not prone to giddiness, frivolity or…unacceptable behaviour I believe was how he phrased it. He also assured me that he would be a good husband and father, and that I would want for nothing.’

      ‘Admirable sentiments, to my way of thinking.’

      ‘And Papa believes it to be an advantageous match.’

      ‘And so it is, my dear!’ Lady Dorchester agreed wholeheartedly. ‘Lord Blackwood is one of the wealthiest men in London, not to mention one of the most handsome. I admit, he may not be as light-hearted as some of the gentlemen his age, but then, he has always been something of a serious lad, and he grew even more so after his dear mother died. He never really took to his father’s second wife, you see. Rumour has it that he blamed her for his father’s death.’

      ‘Oh, dear, I had no idea,’ Nicola said, biting her lip. ‘But I know so little of Lord Blackwood.’

      ‘Which is hardly surprising, given your extended absence from Town,’ Lady Dorchester said. ‘However, we cannot overlook the fact that you have been extremely fortunate, Nicki. And I feel sure that once Lord Blackwood is happily married you will see a considerable change in his disposition. So, when and where is the wedding to take place?’

      ‘I’m not sure. Lord Blackwood mentioned having the ceremony at the family chapel at Ridley Hall, but I rather had my heart set on St Andrew’s, where Mama and Papa were married. Unfortunately, he had to return to London before we were able to come to a decision.’

      ‘Well, no doubt you shall be able to settle it the next time he comes to Wyndham. Now, we must start making plans for your betrothal ball. And I will not take no for an answer,’ Lady Dorchester said firmly, as Nicola went to object. ‘Your father and I have already discussed it, and he has assured me of his complete cooperation. That is why we are going to hold the ball at Wyndham rather than here at Doring Cross. Given the number of people I intend to invite, Doring would hardly be large enough.’

      ‘But it is such a lot of work, Aunt,’ Nicola said guiltily.

      ‘I am well aware of that, my dear, but, in truth, I am looking forward to it. I was not fortunate enough to have children of my own, and if I cannot do something like this for my own daughter, at least let me do it for my sister’s child. I know this is what Elizabeth would have wanted for you.’

      It was probably the best argument she could have employed, and thus appealed to, Nicola could not find it in her heart to say no. ‘Well, if you are sure, but—oh, upon my word! Champagne?’ she exclaimed as the door to the drawing room opened and the butler came in with a silver tray.

      ‘Well, of course. It isn’t every day my favourite niece becomes engaged to the Marquis of Blackwood, and I think such a momentous occasion warrants a special celebration. Besides, I have had precious little else to celebrate these last few months.’

      Nicola’s green eyes softened and, impulsively, she leaned forward to kiss her aunt’s smooth, unlined cheek. ‘Dear Aunt Glynn. You really should start moving about in Society again. Uncle Bart has been gone these three years, and you are far too lovely to shut yourself away. I know that you could find another husband if you only set your mind to it.’

      ‘In all honesty, I am not sure that I wish to, Nicki.’ Lady Dorchester’s expression grew suddenly wistful. ‘Your uncle and I were together for over fourteen years, and, frankly, I am not sure that I could adjust to having a new gentleman under foot—if I could even find one who would have me. A younger man will be looking for a woman to give him sons, whereas an older man will be looking for a pretty young thing to parade about Town on his arm. And at six-and-thirty I am neither one nor the other. I seem to fall into that…grey area in between.’

      ‘Fiddlesticks. You are far too young and lovely to think of yourself as part of any grey area,’ Nicola scolded her aunt affectionately. ‘And I know that any number of gentlemen would tell you so, if you were but willing to listen.’

      Lady Dorchester patted her niece’s hand. ‘You are a dear child, Nicola. And I would be lying if I said there were not certain things I miss about being married, especially to a man one is truly in love with.’ Her eyes crinkled around the edges. ‘The Duchess of Basilworth is forever telling me that I should take a chèr ami.’

      Nicola gasped, and then started to laugh. ‘Never!’

      ‘Oh, yes. And she is quite serious.’

      ‘No doubt she is. The duchess has been known to make some outrageous statements. But would you really consider doing such a thing, Aunt?’

      Lady Dorchester looked thoughtful for a moment, and then shook her head. ‘I think not. As exciting as the idea may be, one seldom finds happiness with such a man. They are usually either married, or considered too much a rake or roué to be so, and I, for one, have no desire to throw my heart away on someone I can neither have nor trust. Oh, dear, have I embarrassed you?’ Lady Dorchester asked, noticing the sudden rosy hue in her niece’s cheeks.

      ‘Not at all.’ Nicola was quick to assure her. ‘I was merely thinking about something I overheard at Lady Rumbolt’s soirée the other evening.’

      ‘Dear me, it must have been something very interesting to make you blush so.’

      ‘Yes, it was.’

      Lady Dorchester waited expectantly, then prompted, ‘Well?’

      Nicola bit her lip. ‘I am not at all sure it is an appropriate topic for me to be discussing.’

      ‘Why don’t you tell me and allow me to make that decision?’

      Nicola laughed self-consciously, then said, ‘Very well. Is it true, Aunt, that…a married lady should not mind if her husband goes elsewhere for…well, that is, for his—?’

      ‘Thank you, Nicola; I think I can figure the rest of it out,’ Lady Dorchester said abruptly, even as her blue eyes began to sparkle. ‘My word, that was quite a conversation you overheard. However, I will give you the benefit of my opinion, by saying that, yes, a wife should most definitely mind if her husband looks elsewhere for his…pleasures. Love between a man and his wife can be a wonderful thing, Nicola. And, if you are fortunate enough to really love your husband, the thought of his going elsewhere will cause you more misery than you can imagine. Unfortunately, all too often, women look upon…certain aspects of marriage as an unpleasant task, a duty that must be borne stoically and in silence, refusing to believe that, with a little effort on their part, they could actually come to enjoy it. And I’ll wager you’ll not hear that whispered in the drawing rooms of Society,’ she added dryly.

      Nicola looked thoughtful for a moment. ‘Then such feelings can exist within a marriage, if one but makes the effort.’

      ‘Oh, yes, indeed. Mark my words, Nicki: if you want a happy marriage, make the effort to please your husband,’ Lady Dorchester urged her. ‘I give you my promise, it will be well worth it in the long run. For both