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“Oh, I shall.” Gideon turned on his heel with a wink before he sauntered off.

He wasn’t seated so far away from Dorian’s side, being one of the few guests Dorian himself had invited.

“So that is your friend,” Eloise noted, and Dorian nodded, rolling his eyes. “He seems friendly.”

“He is. Far too much.”

“He also is sitting opposite my own dearest friend, Lady Nancy Baker.” Eloise gestured with her fork, still spearing a piece of meat from the oyster, to the right side of the U-shaped table arrangement.

A lady sat in a pale, butter-colored gown, her black hair styled away from her face, which was keen on assessing the room. At Dorian’s glance over at her, she looked at him, and offered a polite smile that he couldn’t return. Quickly, he looked away.

Dorian was already tired of all the formalities. He wished to return to his home and put the whole day behind him.

“I shall introduce you shortly,” Eloise told him happily.

Dorian nodded but continued eating in silence.

Course after course was served, and he was certain they had both gone through three glasses of wine each by the time every dish had been served and the post-dinner celebration continued in the drawing room.

This room felt less heavy and closed-in; he felt more able to accompany Lady Eloise as she went over to speak with her friend.

The lady turned away from her conversation, drink in hand, and her excitement was palpable before she even opened her mouth to squeal a congratulations to Eloise.

“Heavens, I can hardly believe that now you are a duchess, Eloise!” Her hands reached out to clasp Dorian’s wife’s hands. He watched how his duchess blushed beneath the praise, delivered differently to her mother’s boast. This was a compliment for Eloise, whereas Lady Wittby’s declaration had sounded like a compliment to herself. “I cannot imagine the life you shall have. And, speaking of…”

“Oh! Yes, of course.” Dorian took some amusement in the fact that Eloise blushed as she realized she had not made introductions first, just as he had not thought to.

It seems we are both unpracticed.

She turned to Dorian, gesturing with a light hand. “Your Grace, this is Lady Nancy Baker, the daughter of the Earl of Maystone. Nancy, this is the Duke of Oldcliff, my husband.”

Lady Nancy stepped forward. “It is a thorough pleasure, Your Grace,” she curtsied deeply, and Dorian was entertained to see Eloise roll her eyes at her friend’s display. Once Lady Nancy stood straight, she spoke again. “I must say, your eye for gowns is most impressive and stunning. El—Her Grace looks ethereal.”

Dorian noticed the correction of title from her friend, but he looked at his wife. He took her in: the soft, healthy glow of her pale skin in the early afternoon light that slanted in through the drawing room windows. The dress was of a good quality silk, but it didn’t hide any curves while not being too provocative. Her hair was pulled up, as customary, yet several tight curls fell down her cheeks, and he had the strange urge to tuck her hair around her ear, to know if it felt as soft as it looked.

Instead, he clenched his fist and answered, “Indeed, she does.”

He avoided Eloise’s glance pointedly, turning to look over his shoulder to find Gideon sauntering over to him, a charming smile already fixed on his face.

“Heavens,” he groaned as he joined Dorian’s side, “what a feast. Her Grace has done an excellent job.” He tipped his head at Eloise, but she shook her head quickly.

“I did nothing but turn up,” she laughed, a hint of nervousness to her voice. “It was all His Grace’s doing.”

“Oh, really?” Gideon pointedly got in Dorian’s face, overdramatizing the reaction. Dorian shoved him back.

“Of course I did,” he said curtly. “I did not wish to burden my wife.” Dorian shook his head, dismissing the issue. “Regardless, this is Lady Nancy Baker. I do believe you may have drunk once or twice with her father, the Earl of Maystone.”

Gideon followed Dorian’s nod to where Lord Maystone was speaking with Lord Wittby and another gentleman Dorian did not recognize. Gideon’s nod was surprised before he turned back to Lady Nancy.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady.” He bowed deeply, taking her hand and kissing it as Dorian had done, except his eyes lifted up to meet hers, and Dorian continued his introduction.

“Lady Nancy, this is the Marquess of Langford, Gideon Keswick.”

Gideon’s smile was utterly rakish as he didn’t look away from her, but released her hand as he straightened. “I confess that I do not know how I have gone for so long without noticing you.”

Dorian met Eloise’s eyes, but she looked utterly delighted at the exaggerated show of compliment.

“Ah.” Lady Nancy hummed. “You are one of those men. Flattery without knowing me, Lord Langford, shall get you nowhere.” She gave him a smug once-over before letting her gaze wander away.