Page 27 of How to Capture a Duke

She tsked. “I was afraid you would say that, but you should know the Earl of Castledon and Viscount Devlin want to meet you. If you are not present, they will come searching for you. It will be to your benefit to attend the dinner and play the loving husband.”

The loving husband.

He wanted to laugh at the sentiment, but her meaning was clear. Her family was not to be trifled with. Her brother, the earl, and her brother-in-law, the marquess, were influential men. Both were members of the House of Lords, and even more important, both were owners of the Raven Club.

“Fine. I’ll attend,” he snapped.

She smiled up at him, and he was captivated by the bow of those lips. Her very kissable lips.

What was her game?

Chapter Ten

“I wondered what type of man would capture my sister’s heart,” the Earl of Castleton said as he sat next to Hugh in the dining room.

“We were sorry to miss the wedding, but young Catherine had a cold,” the Countess of Castleton said. She turned to her five-year-old daughter seated beside her. A pretty child with red hair like her mother’s and dark eyes like her father’s, Catherine played with the silverware.

Tristan raised his wineglass and drank, aware of Olivia seated at his side. She looked lovely in a moss-colored gown that emphasized the chips of green in her remarkable eyes. A pearl necklace drew attention to the smoothness of her neck. She gazed up at him, and if he didn’t know the truth, she appeared as if she were happy to be married to him.

Her performance was exemplary. Looking away, he took another sip of his wine.

Tristan focused on the words he’d rehearsed in his chamber for close to two hours. Calming his nerves, he spoke slowly. “It’s good to meet my wife’s family.”

Thank God. Clear and concise, just as he’d practiced.

“Seasons have passed, and we are happy Olivia has finally found love,” the Countess of Castleton said.

Lord and Lady Castleton may believe their act, but Olivia’s sister, Lady Vere, eyed him coolly. Olivia must have told the Countess of Devlin the truth of matters.

The door opened, and servants streamed in serving the second and then the third courses. The first, a creamy asparagus soup, had already been served. A footman placed a slice of fowl and one of ham on his plate, and it was soon accompanied by seasoned green beans. For not entertaining in years, his staff had performed in an exemplary manner.

Catherine fidgeted in her seat, appearing bored with the adult conversation and not impressed by the food. When the green beans appeared on her plate, she wrinkled her pert nose. She looked like she didn’t want to spend another minute sitting in the dining room.

He could commiserate.

“Olivia tells us your country stables are full of fine horses,” Castleton said.

Tristan swallowed his wine. So far, he’d spoken as little as possible. When he’d had to speak, the wine had helped. “Yes. I enjoy r…r-iding.”

He inwardly cringed, and he felt the all-too-familiar dread tighten his gut. “I—”

“He has a stallion that is quite magnificent. He brought Atlas to town. You must visit the mews or meet us in the park one day to see the horse, Ian,” Olivia said.

“I shall.” Castleton turned back to Tristan. “My sister likes horses, Your Grace. If she could have attended Tattersall’s, I fear she would have spent all my coin.”

They laughed, and his tension eased. He knew what Olivia had done, had been doing since her family had stepped foot in the marble vestibule, and he was grateful. Beneath the table, she reached out to his thigh in reassurance. His muscles tightened, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she knew his reaction to her touch.

“Catherine!” Lady Castleton cried out.

All eyes flew down the length of the table.

“Where did she go?” The lady pushed back her chair to glance beneath the table, but the missing child was nowhere to be found.

“Oh, Ian, she’s run again,” Lady Castleton said. “What are we to do?”

“Do not fret. She is just adventurous.”

“Adventurous! She is incorrigible,” Lady Castleton argued then turned to look at Tristan. “I apologize, Your Grace. Catherine knows better. Please pardon me while I search for her.”