Page 20 of An Unwanted Spinster for the Duke

“You are going to get me in so much trouble,” she whispered into the cat’s fur, her voice still full of affection.

Serafina slowly blinked up at her and gave another purr.

Somehow, Marianne was safe from her father’s wrath right now. But how long should she have to endure this?

Her heart sank as she realized the answer.

Until each one of my sisters has left this place.

Until every last one of them was free from their father.

Chapter Ten

“Iam fairly certain you have no interest in cats,” Simon said, after a leisurely sip from his glass. “At the moment, though, you seem awfully concerned about the troublesome feline. Or perhaps it wasn’t the cat that caught your attention?”

Dominic stood in one corner of the drawing room, having an often one-sided chat with Simon. His glass was mostly untouched, merely putting some weight in his hand. He was still trying to process what had just happened, his eyes lingering on the door where Lady Marianne exited.

He did not like cats. However, the way Lady Marianne had cradled her troublesome cat as if were a child stirred something within him—the need to protect her. He could not help but admire the quiet grace in which she accepted her humiliation. After all, her father had reprimanded her in front of everyone.

Predictably, Dominic didn’t reply. He looked down at the swirling liquid in his glass.

“Aha. Here’s how we’ll do it. Keep your silence if I’m right,” Simon teased, chuckling.

There was still no reply. Dominic thought there was absolutely no way he was going on the defensive when Simon was a mind reader.

“I knew it,” his friend declared triumphantly. He even nudged his young wife with his elbow. “Darling, I am certain I was not the only one who caught our dear friend, the Duke, staring after Lady Marianne when she left with her pet.”

“He looked like he was about to follow her out the door,” Olivia said cheerfully. “So, yes, I’ve noticed.”

Dominic turned to the couple with a sour expression. “You two are absurd,” he snapped.

“Hmm. Possibly,” Simon relented. “However, we are proud to have sharp eyes.”

“Eagle eyes,” Olivia agreed, nodding enthusiastically after she had downed her sherry.

Dominic had more things to say, which was strange in itself. However, he saw Lord Grisham approaching, with his daughter, Lady Elizabeth, in tow.

Oh no.

The girl seemed to agree with his thoughts, as she moved timidly, almost as if she would drag her feet on the floor only if she was allowed to.

“Your Grace,” Grisham began with the smoothness that Dominic now recognized. “I believe you have not been properly introduced to my second eldest daughter, Elizabeth.”

“A pleasure, Lady Elizabeth,” Dominic greeted, slightly bowing his head.

“Y-Your Grace,” she breathed, curtsying very low.

Introductions were then made between Lady Elizabeth and his friends.

Again, Grisham’s daughter seemed overwhelmed, even in the presence of relatively amiable guests.

“Come now, my dear Elizabeth,” Grisham said in what Dominic felt was an almost unnaturally sweet voice. “You don’t need to be shy around His Grace.”

Lady Elizabeth turned bright red. She gave Dominic a fleeting glance before looking back down at her feet. Feeling sorry for her, he decided to give her something to latch on.

“I trust you’ve enjoyed the day so far, my lady? It was a little long, but there were plenty of activities for everyone,” Dominic inquired politely.

“She has,” Grisham responded for his daughter. “It may not seem like it, but Elizabeth needs to practice having a conversation not just with gentlemen but with people in general. She is greatly sheltered.”