“Please do sit down, darling.” Nicholas covered her hand with his. Claire Abbott was definitely not the typical 19th century London woman. Who in her right mind would refuse such a grand plan? He expected her to be insufferably excited. Being wed in the presence of Her Most Royal Highness, at a venue exclusive to only the highest of the High society was the dream of most women, but apparently not Claire. On the contrary, she looked like she was terrified with the idea that she would be married in a manner most young women of England could only dream of.

Nick waited for her to settle down before turning to the two other gentlemen at the table. If only Bennett had told him what to expect at lunch, he should have been able to prepare his next steps. With his hand still over hers, he addressed Lord Abbott. “My lord, I believe it my duty as your daughter’s future husband to support her in any way that I can. However,” he turned his attention to Claire, “Ms. Abbott you must forgive me, but I am with your father in this.”

He heard from somewhere that the secret to a happy marriage was to keep the wife happy. Nick swallowed hard as he looked into Claire’s beautiful blue eyes. Was he doing the right thing, going against the rules of a happy marriage? But then again, she started it by using her impeccable feminine charms to force him to evacuate his rather comfortable seat. Besides, it was to his advantage to host a large gathering for he would be opening doors of opportunities to some of his colleagues for them to be able to engage their targets. He had names of people to watch and the connections in the High society to make it a bit easier for his brothers-at-arms to make contact easier.

As if to emphasize his support and apology at the same time, he curled his hand over hers. “And I do not intend to marry you for your money, Ms. Abbott,” he added in a soft enough voice to hint a wounded pride, but loud enough for the older gentlemen to hear. “I have enough to spend on [i]whatever[/i] both you and I want.”

Bennett looked pleased. Nick decided that he was doing the right thing, so he pushed the matter further. “This might be just your nerves getting the best of you, my dear. Marriage is a commitment which is not to be taken lightly. Believe me,” he chuckled lightly. “I might be more terrified than you are right now after hearing all of these. To be honest, I am more afraid that our judgmental society will have anything unpleasant to say regarding any aspect of the ceremony, most especially to you or to me, than the thought that I will cease to be a bachelor in a few weeks.”

The duke looked a bit placated by what he was hearing. With any luck, the lunch might still be saved from damnation. “Whatever the reason behind your strong objection, let us know so we can work out a favorable arrangement.” A challenge issued for her to be transparent and explain the horror he had seen on her face upon hearing that she was getting married in front of all the important personalities of London. Could it be that a grand celebration would ruin her chances of slipping into someone else’s bed? Even though the marriage was not real and he would probably find ways to slip into someone else’s bed, the thought that his wife would cheat on him hurt a little on his pride. But then none of it mattered in the end, because none of it was real.