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“Isabella will likely be back in Society next Season as well,” he said quietly. “She is still young. She will need to marry, just like the rest of us.”

“You do not think she will turn a spinster?” Drake asked.

“It would be a horrible waste if she did,” Zachary replied, shaking his head. “She was ready to be Sinclair’s duchess, and she would have been a wonderful one.”

At his words, Monkey Sinclair climbed atop Zachary’s head, his big eyes staring at the door, and made a low hissing sound. When Sebastian turned, he was not entirely surprised to find the objects of their conversation entering the room—Northumberland with Isabella on his arm, following Tiffany into the room.

She was still wearing half-mourning clothes, no longer the full black that she’d arrived in. Instead, she was now wearing dark grey, trimmed with black. Her dark hair was pulled back from her face in a neat coiffure, revealing the sparkle of diamond earrings.

Ever the gracious hostess, Tiffany got them settled at a table and then looked around. Seeing Sebastian and the other two dukes, she raised her eyebrow at him, tilting her head at the table as she put her hand on the back of one of the chairs, claiming it for herself.

“One of us should go sit with them,” Zachary muttered, his reluctance clear in his voice.

“I shall,” Sebastian said, as he realized it gave him the perfect excuse to not sit with any of his prospective brides. If he was lucky, it might even afford him the opportunity to have a private word or two with Tiffany. The latter might be hoping for too much, but it was possible.

Both Zachary and Drake frowned at him. Drake had been on the verge of opening his mouth to offer, despite the reluctant expression on his face. Sebastian assumed they both thought he’d want to wait for his prospective brides and sit with them to get to know them better. Which, if that was what he wanted, would certainly be the wiser decision.

Having to put up with Northumberland would be a small price to pay to avoid them instead, as well as giving him an opportunity to talk to Tiffany. Besides, now that the man was here, Sebastian was curious as to why. He’d said he was on his way to London, but why?

He had not been in London yet this Season, as far as Sebastian knew.

Tiffany’s eyes widened in surprise when she realized it was him joining their table, rather than Drake or Zachary, but she smiled prettily.

“Sebastian,” she greeted him. “You remember the Duke of Northumberland.”

“Of course.” Sebastian nodded as genially as he could, doing his best to hide his distaste.

“Good to see you again, Bolton.” William Seymour, Duke of Northumberland, was a handsome man. He was lighter in features than Sinclair had been, with medium brown hair that was set off by his dark brown waistcoat and coppery silk cravat. A shiny gold and green cravat pin kept the knot in place. While he still preferred his dark browns and greys, the cut and tailoring of his clothing was now top-notch. He’d updated and expanded his wardrobe since inheriting.

As he should, Sebastian supposed, yet it still grated. He’d only known the man tangentially through Sinclair, but he’d used to dress far more simply. Seeing him now decked out in ducal splendor was another reminder that Sinclair was gone.

Sebastian murmured something noncommittal as he took his seat across from Northumberland, with Lady Isabella on his right and Tiffany on his left. The arrangement afforded Tiffany a good view of the door, so she could continue to fulfill her duties as hostess as others arrived. It gave Sebastian a rather nice view of both the door and Miss Hu’s profile.

Her table was already focused on their card game, and she frowned as she looked at her hand. Sebastian was sorry he had not made it in time to join her table, but perhaps it was for the best. After all, he did not want to show his hand too soon, certainly not before he had a plan and hopefully some inkling of her feelings about marriage… and him.

“Northumberland was on his way to London and thought to stop here to greet us as he knew we would be in residence,” Tiffany explained. “I’ve invited him to join the rest of the house party with us, and he has deigned to assist me in evening out our numbers a bit.”

“I was very happy to accept the invitation,” he replied. “Not only because it would be unchivalrous to refuse to help a lady such as yourself, but because it gives me some more time to visit with Isabella.” The look he cast Lady Isabella made Sebastian suddenly, and distinctly, uncomfortable.

That was not the look of a friend or a partner in grief. That was the look of a man who was courting, for lack of a better word.

Isabella smiled back serenely, without the hunger that was evident in Northumberland’s eyes.

“It is always nice to see you, William,” she said genially before turning her smile on Tiffany and Sebastian. “William visits me regularly at home, which has been appreciated. I am not ready to return to London and the social scene entirely, but it is nice having company now and then. Being invited here for a smaller gathering has been lovely.”

“We are so happy to have you,” Tiffany replied, her voice full of warmth. “Perhaps Gregory and I could come visit you soon.”

Lady Isabella brightened. “That would be lovely.”

“Unfortunately, I believe I shall be trapped in London for the foreseeable future.” Sebastian heaved an exaggerated sigh as he teased his sister. “Unlike those who were wed at the beginning of the Season. However, hopefully once the Season is over, I will be able to travel more.”

“Do come by the Hall, then,” Lady Isabella said, beaming at him. “The letters from everyone have been lovely, but visitors are even better. My parents have been very patient with me, but I know they are starved for company other than our own.” She laughed lightly, but her words rang sincere, tinged with yearning.

Clearly, she was also desiring company other than that of her family, or she would not be here this weekend or so openly expressing invitations to visit. Northumberland was looking more stony-faced at the prospect of visitors to Lady Isabella, which made Sebastian want to do so all the more. It was not right that she be stuck there with only visits from her late fiancé’s heir to break up the tedium.

“I will be happy to,” Sebastian said. “Hopefully, with my own wife by then.”

Sebastian’s gaze drifted over to Miss Hu again as his sister cut the cards and began to deal them out.