The Bridal Contract (Darrington family Book 3) by Sandra Sookoo Page A

Lauren,” Roberta interjected. “That girl simply will not leave Darrington Hall, no matter the enticements I offer.” She blew on a spoonful of soup. “I’m afraid she has no notion of how to conduct herself as a lady of breeding. She’ll always be a hoyden and that will prevent her from making a good match.”
    “There are worse things than being mired in Kent,” Charlotte replied. Her hair gleamed a burnished copper.
    Felix rapped on the tabletop. “If I may talk?” He looked around the table, making certain his gaze connected with each person present. “Since we’re all here, excepting Lauren, I thought it would be an auspicious occasion to announce some news.” He focused on his wife and a wide grin touched his lips. “Clarice, my love, if you will do the honors?”
    “Thank you, cherie .” Despite their gathering, she leaned into him and dropped a kiss on his lips while Roberta’s frown deepened.
    Oliver shot a surprised glance to Eloisa, but she was too busy staring in rapture at the couple. Did all women think about nothing except romance and love?
    When Clarice looked around the table, her dark eyes sparkled. A mischievous smile touched her rosy lips. “I have made a decision regarding my grandfather’s legacy.”
    What was this? Oliver frowned. This was what happened when he hadn’t attended a family function for so long. He swirled his spoon through his soup. And another reason he’d stayed away. The awkward outside-looking-in feeling currently residing in his gut wasn’t pleasant.
    “I have decided, thanks to the urging from my husband and my dearest friend Charlotte,” Clarice turned her full grin on his sister, “that I will officially claim my dead grandfather’s title and become the Comtesse d’Auvergne in my fancy only. Yes, I understand that no one will officially recognize me in this capacity and that even my mother couldn’t have claimed the title, but it is the principle of thing.” She nodded, happiness lining her face. “This is a defunct title, yes as there are no more male relatives to carry the line, and it comes with no land or fortune behind it, but I wanted to have something to remember him by. I wanted to keep him alive somehow even if it holds no bearing to anyone except me.”
    Eloisa’s lips formed an “o” of awe. “I gather this is something you’ve been grappling with for a long while. Why did you decide to claim it now?”
    “I wished to leave a legacy of my own.” She patted her belly and consulted Felix. At his slight nod, she continued, “I will give birth in early August to our first child. I wish for the babe to know one shouldn’t be ashamed or afraid of their heritage, like I was before I met Felix.”
    “How wonderful!” Charlotte exclaimed and once more shot out of her seat.
    Roberta unbent enough to touch Clarice’s arm. “I’m glad to hear that, dear, yet you should not have mentioned it at dinner and in polite company. I’d like to hope the infant won’t come early, but I fear it will.” She sniffed as if to say “I told you so.” “However, we will do what we can to deflect that information. You shall go to Darrington Hall soon.”
    Across the table, Oliver gaped at his relatives. Had the world gone mad? When was it ever proper to discuss such things? A babe? A title a female could never claim anyway? He caught Eloisa’s eye. She smiled and shrugged as the female chatter rose in volume. A hint of annoyance passed through him. This was supposed to be the night he made a sensation with his family. Now, Felix stole the stage, same as he always had while growing up.
    During a lull in the noise, he rose then cleared his throat. His stomach churned. This would surely cause an uproar. “It would see this is a grand day for announcements.” Once everyone at the table looked at him, he allowed a small grin. “I, too, have something I wish to tell my dear family.” He sought out Eloisa’s green gaze. Gentle humor lurked in her eyes