By the River

CHAPTER THREE

Chapter 3:

He stood by the window with his hands behind his back as he contemplated going to the party he had been graciously invited to as a guest. His friend Lord Jackson had been most insistent that he would have an exciting time and it was a good opportunity to see what would be there for him in the bride mart. He sighed and turned towards the table that held the decanter of brandy and poured himself a large glass. He threw it back and took two more before hearing a knock at the door.

“Enter.” He called out.

“Your Grace are you ready? Would you like to change before you leave for the party? Your sister is waiting for you in the blue sitting room whenever you are ready.” The butler informed him while glancing down at his destroyed cravat from being tugged on too much.

He winced forgetting his sister had also been invited and had accepted on their behalf. “Yes, I suppose I should change and look decent for the ball. Please have some water brought to my room and inform my sister I will be down once I am done. Thank you, Giles.” Duke Enrique replied.

Giles nodded his head and closed the door to do as he was bid. Enrique turned to the decanter one more time throwing back another glass before going up to his room to prepare the torture he was sure he would endure the rest of the evening with all the hungry mothers searching for a groom for the simpering daughters hanging on their sleeves.

A fleeting time later Enrique descended the stairs fixing the sleeve of his jacket. He was dressed in dark tan pants tucked securely into his black hessians. His white shirt tucked neatly into the tan pants. His dark green cravat tied neatly against his shirt while his jacket hugged his broad shoulders and his muscled chest. He ran his fingers through his black hair making sure all the water was well and truly gone. He may be unhappy about having to go but he was not about to catch a cold because of his immense dislike of the situation.

He walked into the drawing room catching his sister’s attention. “Finally, you join the real world and do not stink of drink. Really brother, I know the situation is not the idlest, but you are eight and twenty. It is time you settled down and begot an heir. At least you have a choice to pick someone you like as your bride. I have to let all those dandies droll and coo at me while you pick the ones that will suit me best then report to our parents when they arrive in two months. You really must stop acting like a baby.” Snapped his sister.

“Why thank you so much for making this evening more pleasant Isabella. I am so glad to have your company to make it less dull.” Replied Enrique with a scowl on his face.

“Really Enrique let it go and stop being so droll. Let us get this disaster started and over with!” Isabella shook her head at her brother.

Isabella pulled her gloves on and put her wrapper on. She glanced at her brother and frowned. “Are you foxed?”

Enrique merely smiled instead of answering his sister’s question. He knew he needed something to get himself through this night or he would lose his mind of boredom and he did not want to do something stupid that would be reported back to his parents. It was the last thing he needed to deal with on top of all his other issues.

His sister continued to frown at him as she waited for his reply. Enrique walked to the sideboard, poured himself another drink, and lifted it to his sister in a half salute before throwing it back down. His sister’s jaw dropped as she watched him. She snapped it close and turned on her heel leaving the room muttering under her breath. “Stupid males and their pride. Always thinking of only themselves and never those around them. Fie on them!”

Enrique, having heard his sister choke on his drink as he tried to stop his laughter from exploding and spitting his drink all over the floor. He set his glass down and walked towards the door his sister had just disappeared through.

“Let us be off then sister. I apologize for my attitude towards you. I know this is not your fault and I should not act foolish and embarrass you. I will do my best to keep out of the spotlight until I am more sober and try not to make a spectacle and ruin your evening. Enjoy tonight and we will begin our matrimony hunting on another day.” Enrique held out his hand to Isabella and smiled at her as she grabbed his arm.

“Thank you Enrique and I am also sorry for my waspish behavior as well. I hate this horrible situation we are placed in as much as you do. But we will get through this together I promise! Now let us go pretend we are having a grand time. You never know we might actually have a suitable time and even possibly find someone we can stand to be around, or goodness even possibly spend our lives with.” Isabella laughed at her brother.

He patted her hand and smiled down at her as they moved towards the door and out into the night. He handed her up into the carriage then launched himself into it as well. They both settled in comfortable silence as the carriage lurched forward beginning its journey to the Northbourne’s home.