An Unwanted Wife

Chapter 9

Lauren was sat next to James who sat to the left of his Grandfather at the head of table. On the Duke's right was Grammy and then Jacinda across from Lauren. James and Grammy kept conversation admirably flowing with talk of various topics including music and the weather with his grandfather for the duration of the long meal. Lauren was clearly still nervous the Duke may say something to further embarrass her, so she stayed noticeably quiet. Jacinda was too shy to say much in front of the men whom she didn't know well.

The Duke's lack of any words beyond polite societal norms to her favourite granddaughter had not been missed by Grammy and she was less than pleased to witness it. She smiled at Lauren and then looked at the Duke. "Your Grace, shall we break with the staid custom of ladies and gentlemen separating after a meal? Let these young people go find amusement somewhere and we can have a drink together."

The Duke nodded. "If it pleases you."

James took Lauren and Jacinda to the entertainment room. There was a chess board set up between two chairs on a low table, another one set up for poker, a dart board, and a cozy sitting area in front of a fireplace. Lauren breathed a huge sigh of relief once they were alone in the room.

"It'll get better." James said to her.

"You think?" She raised her brows in reply. "I honestly don't know."

James opened a bottle of red wine and poured her a glass while standing at the bar. Jacinda asked why Lauren didn't have sherry, as they typically did at home. It was a surprise to Jacinda when James answered, saying Lauren never liked it. He then asked if Jacinda preferred a differs spirit and poured her a small glass of sherry when she declined. He happily fixed a whisky for himself.

James set up the billiards table for a game. Lauren had played billiards as a child with her father and she quickly regained her form. Jacinda never played and claimed no interest, so she could watch them interact as a couple without any interruptions. She had noticed them kissing and smiling at each other in the gardens before she approached. Now, she was curious if their amiable compatibility from this afternoon would continue to flow so effortlessly. She couldn't help but envy her older sister once she saw it did. It was clear to her that James was quite mad for Lauren in spite of her mother saying differently at home. Her sister seemed at ease with him, more so than any man of their acquaintance. It was apparent from their manner with each other that it was a love match.

Jacinda had begun to view him in a new light after Grammy informed her on the coach ride from London how James paid off the Marquis of Belmont's debts to ensure Gemma married and not ruined instead, since their father couldn't have afforded to pay them. Jacinda was told he didn't want her mother to know he paid it, but Grammy said she deserved to know, since one of his conditions was Jacinda move into Grammy's house.

Jacinda finally snapped out of her reverie when hearing her sister giggle after she made a shot, sinking a black ball. James was loudly clapping and whistling his approval. "Cracking shot, my love!"

Lauren laughed. "I feel like you went easy on me. Surely, you could've made your last shot!"

He kissed her cheek, winking. "Don't worry, we'll play again."

Lauren blushed from the look James was giving her. Jacinda got an impression her soon to be brother-in-law wasn't talking about billiards when he gave her older sister that look, though Jacinda didn't know what he meant. Lauren's blush only confirmed her suspicions. The mantle clock now started to toll for midnight distracting her from the thought.