Destined For A Duke (Completed)

Chapter 3

After the uncomfortable entrance of the Duke, the conversation in the room dulled until Brandon recounted an amusing incident of confusing two people. By the time everyone entered the dining hall, the conversation was flowing effortlessly. William escorted Lady Delton and Duchess, Brandon escorted Lady Emma and Miss Gabrielle ( a smart move) whereas Duke escorted Lady Georgiana (apperantly everyone called her George). Everyone was seated closely to form an intimate gathering where everyone could easily talk to one another so that the dinner party seemed rather informal.

"Your Grace, I have been meaning to ask you all evening, has your sister been introduced into the polite society?" William began in a rather neutral tone that betrayed nothing, Gabrielle felt her stomach drop. The so called polite society was a sensitive topic to discuss with herself and her sister.

"No, my debut was disastrous, my sister wants nothing to do with polite society after that." Lady Isabelle answered grimly. Another man might have left things unsaid, but William being the man he was, pushed forwards.

"My dear, I assure you, not all gentleman are idiots. Your sister just had the misfortune of becoming your brother in law's target. I hope you would give us a chance and agree for a season in London." Lord William pointedly looked at Gabrielle. She wanted to scowl and sneer at Lord William, her sister was already pushing her to attend a London season, she did not need someone else doing the same.

"I'm sorry my Lord, but you are an anomaly, a rare man among nobles. Every peer that I have met is an animal, not fit to be called a human, let alone be considered for a husband." Gabrielle answered back but she was looking at the Duke, not Lord William. She wanted him to know how she felt.

"But you'll have so many advantages, you won't be as clueless as your sister and you'll have the Earl of Cambridge and the Duke of Lancester as your sponsors." Lord William pushed gently, it was obvious that he personally wanted Gabrielle to say yes.

Gabrielle was too busy glaring at the Duke and Duke was too busy enjoying her ire. Noone at the table paid attention to what William said until Duchess almost screamed, "What do you mean?" This worked as the whole table started listening.

"Emma and George will soon be returning to London to rejoin the festivities of the season. It will be a pleasure if Gabrielle joined them, after all, the three girls are of same age and can look after each other in the ballrooms so that all of them are safe, eliminating your sister's concern. I'll sponsor her debut and so will Max, no man will make the mistake of going near your sister with anything other then the intention of marriage. Everyone wins." William relaxed in his seat, like he knew that the matter was already settled.

Duchess of Stanford looked at her sister, imploring with her eyes to say yes. Gabrielle glared at her sister and Max in turns while Max stared at William open mouthed. Before Miss Gabrielle could answer, Max said passionately.

"I can't protect a girls innocence, you know me Will, you know!" Max said with such intensity that everyone stared at him. His eyes looked haunted and dead at that moment, he looked like he was seeing a nightmare with his eyes open,he looked like a man being punished. Gabrielle wanted to hate him but in that moment she understood that something must have happened to make him the way he was.

"I will talk you later, let Gabrielle answer." William answered calmly as if Maximillian's fear was nothing.

"You can't bully me, I won't do it, I won't!" Max ran away from the room like demons of hell were on his heels. Gabrielle wanted to feel offended but she knew how people react when they have to face their demons. Everyone stared after him until she turned to William and said

"There goes half your assurance, how can you guarantee that I will be safe?" Miss Gabrielle said triumphantly

"Gabrielle! You forget yourself, apologize immediately." Lady Isabelle's horror at her sisters behaviour was written all over her face. The disapproval was so obvious that she didn't need to ask Gabrielle twice, she apologized quickly. William waved her apology away.

"No need for that, I would have asked the same question if I was in your position that means you are a smart woman. You just solved half your problem, you don't need Max. I will talk to him, his title is old and it will help you despite what he thinks. You don't need him but you will be at an advantage with him by your side. He might seem like a rake but he cared enough to protest, to say that he was not the best choice." William pointed out as Gabrielle blushed. He had a point and that made Gabrielle all the more curios. After that the dinner progressed smoothly.

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After dinner, William and Brandon went for a glass of brandy whereas the women went to the drawing room for some music. When men joined them after some time, Max was among them. He was quiet and didn't participate in the lively debate of Prince Regent's new laws. Max being against any law that Prince passed, always voiced his opinion but for now he sat quietly contemplating something. Normally such a topic would have been discussed among men only, but Lady Isabelle bought it up herself in conversation and spoke passionately against the current monarch. It was obvious to all that this was no ordinary company, most powerful men and woman in Great Britain were gathered and discussing politics hence such an anomaly was overlooked.

William left in the middle of the discussion and asked Gabrielle to take a turn about the room with him.

While William tried to convince Gabrielle that London was safe and that Max was a good man, Gabrielle concentrated on the pair following them. Lady George looked jealous and curious at the same time, Gabrielle knew in that moment that George and William would end up together.

George's temper flared when she saw Gabrielle's hand on William's arm and she asked Max to escort her around the room as well. Wanting to escape the debate that he had been dragged into, Max readily accepted and the two friends started to follow the other couple. George wondered why William would talk to her separately, if he was saying sweet nothings, like heros in novels would or was he professing his undying love and devotion. The thought made her feel faint and she asked Max to help her be seated. William, who was trying to convince Miss Gabrielle of his friend's good intentions, was distracted by the sight of George's pale face. Instead of escorting her back, William left his companion and made his way towards George. He pushed Max away forcefully and started taking George to her room.

"But where are you taking her?" Max inquired, looking from pale George to concerned William.

"To her room obviously, her maid can look after her while someone brings the good doctor."William's sharp reply stopped further argument from Max.

"I don't need a doctor my Lord, I just need to sleep, I will be good as new in the morning." George's reassuring smile was all that William needed. He complied to her wishes and no doctor was called.

As the pair left the drawing room, Miss Gabrielle approached Max and asked in a low voice.

"Do they know that they love each other?" She sounded dreamily.

"No." Max's clipped single word answer was all Gabrielle got, before he left the room. Staring at his retreating back, Gabrielle thought this was indeed a good view of an extra ordinary male specimen.

Tada! More details that I have been dying to share with you. Hope you liked it. Vote people vote