Page 30 of The Notorious Lord Sin
But how to convince her of this fact?
There was no way of doing so. The only way he could get her to agree to marry him was if she never knew the truth until it was too late.
The thought shamed him, and he reached for his brandy, downing it in one swallow.
"Easy, Astoridge. You'll tumble out of the doors instead of swagger," the Duke of Romney said, laughter in his voice.
Dominic glanced up at the pillar of society and the man who had married Paris's best friend. "Your Grace, I did not think Brooks was your normal haunt."
The duke glanced about the club and then sat across from him. The leather of his chair creaked at the intrusion. "It's not. I'm normally at Whites, but Renford is back in town and invited me, and he's a good friend, you understand."
The duke watched him for a moment before summoning a footman and ordering a beer. "You look as if the world's weight is on your shoulders. Care to lighten it?" he asked him.
Dominic rubbed the back of his neck, not sure he should say anything to the man who was no doubt fiercely loyal to Paris. But then, maybe he could give him some advice and insight.
"I've returned to town to marry, a necessity, you understand. I'm not getting any younger," he lied. "But Lady Hervey seems determined to remain a widow, and I'm unsure I can change her mind on that matter."
Romney took his beer and sipped. "Lady Hervey is an independent woman, had to become one after … well, better to leave that situation behind," he said.
Dominic ground his teeth, knowing full well what he eluded to. He cleared his throat. "Yes, best to, I think," he agreed.
"She has a family, and there is no need for her to marry. Other than further financial security, what can you offer her that no one else can? If you're trying to win her back, and from watching you during the Season, I'm assuming you are, what can you give Lady Hervey that she will not find with anyone else?"
The word love reverberated about in his mind once again and would not relent.
Nor did it scare him. If anything, it warmed his soul and soothed the fear, the anxiety that he was falling further and deeper into debt the longer they were in town for the Season. His sisters were costing him a fortune and the Season was not yet at its height.
"The one thing I can offer her, I still do not think will be enough. No matter how much I may wish for it to be the case," he admitted. "Other factors will soon dissolve that one element I can give that I believe I share with Lady Hervey, no matter how much she may deny it on her side. But it is not sufficient. I know that it will not persuade her."
Romney sipped his beer, his gaze thoughtful. "Then you will have to convince Lady Hervey that you are in earnest and it is enough and that nothing else is worth losing what you share. While I do not know the particulars of your life, and nor do I think you treated my wife's best friend fairly or with respect five years ago, I also know that this is not my life. Lady Hervey must choose, so if you are in earnest, and you mean all that you say and will fight for her, do not let whatever trivial matter it is holding you back from saying how you feel and what you want."
Dominic listened and debated all that the duke said. All good advice and everything he had thought to do and yet had not due to fear of rejection and the unknown. "And what do I do if she denies all I offer her?" he asked Romney.
The duke chuckled. "Well, if she is anything like my wife, the duchess, she will make you work for her hand. But do not be deterred. Nothing is insurmountable if you are honest and mean what you say." The duke stood, throwing him a small smile. "I wish you well, Astoridge. I think if you grovel enough, you may win this war yet," he said, striding away.
Dominic thought on the duke's words, and hope and renewed determination blossomed within his advice. He would win her trust and heart yet. There was no other choice. Not for either of them.
ChapterSeventeen
Paris took Dominic's arm as he led her to the side of the Almacks ballroom and where she was to meet Lady Anwen and Lady Kate Astoridge for the first time.
Not even when they had been courting during her coming out year had she met the viscount's younger siblings.
The two young ladies, now women, watched as she made her way over to them. Their eyes held the same mischievous light that Dominic's had at their age, and both were striking.
"Anwen, Kate," Dominic said. "Please let me introduce you to the Countess of Hervey. Countess, these are my sisters, Lady Anwen and Lady Kate Astoridge."
Paris dipped into a small curtsy and smiled as the girls did the same. "It is lovely to meet you both. Are you enjoying the Season so far?" she asked them.
They nodded, their smiles warm and welcoming. "Lovely to meet you too, Lady Hervey," Kate said. "We feel as though we have waited too long to make your acquaintance. Dominic speaks so highly of you."
The young woman's words made Paris smile, and she glanced at Dominic, only to find him watching her. He was so handsome, so changed from the man she remembered who broke her heart. Again her mind tormented her, debated and muddled through all that he made her feel and to no avail. She did not know what to do.
"You are very kind, but I hear you have been busy in London."
"We are enjoying ourselves greatly, my lady," Anwen said. "Our brother has been doing his best to ensure our success, and now that you are here this evening, we're certain we will not make a blunder here."
"We would hate to displease the patronesses," Kate said, grinning.
