Jacquie D'Alessandro - [Regency Historical 04] by Not Quite A Gentleman Read Free Book Online Page B

Fulfillment
by Charles Brightmore
    N athan sat at the mahogany dining room table feeling very much like the prodigal son. Actually, the prodigal son science experiment who dwelled beneath a microscope with five pairs of eyeballs trained upon him. Every time he looked at anyone, he discovered their gaze already upon him. And all that while trussed up like a fatted goose in the damned formal clothes dinner in the dining room demanded. The instant this meal ended he was going to rip the confining cravat from his throat and toss the damn neck cloth into the fireplace. But of course, he first had to get through this interminable, awkward meal.
    A footman topped off his wineglass and he took a grateful sip, barely squelching the urge to toss back the entire glass in a series of long gulps. He chanced to glance around the table and was relieved to note that for the first time since he’d sat down he wasn’t the cynosure of all eyes. Lady Delia, who sat on his right, was engaged in a lively discussion with his father, who was seated on her right at the head of the table.
    His gaze then flicked to the trio who sat across from him—Colin, Lady Victoria, and Gordon Remming, who’d come into his title since Nathan had seen him last on that fateful night three years ago and was now the Earl of Alwyck. Gordon’s shining golden blond head was bent close to Lady Victoria, as if she imparted some diamond of wisdom he couldn’t bear to miss. Lady Victoria, who sat between Gordon and Colin, appeared to be enjoying herself immensely, smiling, chatting, laughing. No doubt because both men were showering her with compliments and attention. Bloody hell, one would think neither of them had ever seen an attractive female before. And all this for the woman he was supposed to watch over. Well, the instant he’d satisfied his obligation to her father, Colin and Gordon were welcome to her.
    His gaze settled on Gordon, and the guilt and regret he’d strived so hard to bury catapulted to the surface. Gordon’s greeting had been reserved, but when Nathan had extended his hand, Gordon accepted the gesture, albeit after a brief hesitation. Nathan clearly read the lingering suspicion in Gordon’s eyes, but he hadn’t expected anything less.
    “I saw the animal pen you constructed, Nathan,” Father said, jerking his attention away from the laughing trio across the table. “Impressive bit of work.”
    “Thank you,” he replied, surprised and pleased by the praise.
    “Of course, it wouldn’t be necessary for you to dirty your hands in such a manner if you were paid properly for your services.”
    Nathan merely shrugged off the backhanded side of the compliment. “I enjoy working with my hands. Keeps my fingers nimble.”
    “They won’t remain nimble if you smash them with a hammer,” Father said, “or if one of those beasts bite you.”
    “Animal pen?” chimed in Lady Delia, her eyes alight with curiosity. “Beasts?”
    “Since settling in Little Longstone, I’ve accumulated a bit of a menagerie,” Nathan explained. The conversation on the opposite side of the table ceased, and he again felt the weight of those stares. One vivid blue one, in particular, he felt most aware of.
    “Cats and dogs?” asked Lady Delia.
    “More like a pig and hens, but I also have a dog—”
    “Who is the size of a pony,” broke in Colin.
    “—and a cat—”
    “Which is a kitten who has already required being rescued from a tree,” Colin added. “Not to mention a cow, a lamb, a pair of ducks, I’m not certain how many geese, and an incorrigible button-eating goat—most of which are named after flowers. They are loud, smelly, fond of chasing one about the grounds—when they’re not chewing off one’s buttons or decapitating the flower beds—and Nathan loves them as if they were his own children.”
    “Thank you for that edifying description… Uncle Colin.”
    Colin shook his head. “I refuse to be an uncle to that beastly