Free The Duke in Denial (Scandal in Sussex) by Alexandra Ainsworth Page B

her expression formal. “You do me a tremendous honor. I accept with the utmost delight.”
    He gazed at her. Her features reminded him of William’s features. He hoped he would not constantly compare them, and he was determined to be a good husband. Whatever obsession he had with William needed to end soon. Was not time the great cure? He smiled at his fiancée.
    “When shall we marry?” Dorothea asked.
    “Excuse me?” The question surprised him. Henrietta had never asked him such particulars. “I thought we might enjoy one of those long engagements.”
    “Why?”
    “Well . . .”
    “I would like to get married soon.” Dorothea lifted her chin and regarded him directly. “We could have children.”
    Sebastian’s chest tightened, and he tried to shove the sensation aside. After all, he approved of her instinct to think of children. This was what he wanted. A family.
    “Let us get married soon, then. You name the date,” he paused, knowing something else was expected of him, “my darling,” he said triumphantly. It was affection. He must remember the affection.
    He would always miss Charlie, but he would have new children, and he would love them. He would love Dorothea. Perhaps he already did.
    “I would like to get married at the end of the season, before London empties.”
    “What a wonderful plan, my darling.” Sebastian calculated the wedding would need to be in three months’ time. “I will make the day special for you. Shall we call Penelope back in?”
    The door swung open, and Sebastian’s cheeks reddened as he realized his cousin must have been listening to their exchange all along. As Penelope gave her congratulations, her voice crescendoing in enthusiasm, the butler answered a knock at the door.
    Perhaps one of Dorothea’s old friends from Lancashire, or one of her new friends from Sussex had called. Or perhaps—perhaps William had returned. He tensed in anticipation. William’s deep voice confirmed his arrival.
    “Good afternoon. I trust you’ve had a pleasant day?”
    “Most assuredly, my dear brother,” Dorothea said. “In fact, I have news for you.”
    “You do?” William entered the room, removing his riding gloves. The cold had made his cheeks rosy.
    “Please, come be seated.” Dorothea’s eyes sparkled.
    Sebastian smiled at her happiness, glad he could give it to her.
    “Of course.” William gazed around the room, meeting Sebastian’s eye. He turned away, perhaps still agitated by their previous conversation.
    Dorothea turned to Sebastian. “Perhaps you should share the news.”
    Sebastian shook his head. This moment belonged to Dorothea. Dorothea smiled and then opened her mouth to speak.
    “Sebastian has proposed,” Penelope squealed. The temptation not to speak had evidently been too challenging. “You have gained a brother, and my friend has gained a delightful fiancé!”
    “Oh.” William blinked, and his eyes clouded. His shoulders fell.
    Sebastian stared at him, but in the next moment, William was smiling.
    The captain rushed to his sister, extending his arms. He pulled her into a hug. “What happy news.”
    “Happy? It is the most romantic thing I heard all year,” Penelope cried, putting her needlework down. “I was in this very room.”
    “When His Grace proposed?”
    Sebastian would have preferred if William’s reference to him were not so formal.
    “I found the experience most exciting,” Penelope said. “He growled that he needed the room to empty, and his eyes flashed with unconcealed passion.”
    Sebastian’s cheeks warmed at her description.
    “Indeed?” William glanced at Sebastian.
    Sebastian lowered his eyes. He was certain he had not been that dramatic. There was no fault in Penelope’s imagination.
    Penelope clapped her hands. “We have a wedding to plan now.”
    She did take after her mother.
    “And now I must go to Brighton,” Sebastian said. “I should see my solicitor to make arrangements.”
    “Brighton?” Penelope spread