Nicholas shook his head. In reality, he didn't care. He'd had his fun with Georgina. She'd been good in bed, remarkably good. One of the best ever.
''You use women. You think they are here to serve your seemingly insatiable sexual appetite,'' his father said. Nicholas wanted to nod because that's exactly what he thought the role of women was in society. He'd once shocked a friend by telling him that the only place he wanted to see women was in his bed with their legs open. ''Her father has demanded an apology. Her mother was out of her mind with worry when she didn't come home with the others. You will travel to Lord Fletcher's office, go down on your knees and beg his forgiveness. Do you understand?''
Nicholas nodded reluctantly and turned away to leave the room. ''I haven't finished with you yet,'' his father shouted. ''This really is the limit. I want you to marry, and stop this ridiculous behavior. So here is what I propose: you will find a wife within the next six months, or I will disinherit you, and your younger brother will inherit everything.''
''But......'' he realized it was no use, his father was already waving his hand for him to leave the room.
*****
The annual hunt ball was a grand affair. Peter had been a great enthusiast of the sport, and he and Adele had attended each year. The President of the Banbury Fox Hounds had invited Adele this year as well, in Peter's memory. She hadn't wanted to go, she was happy at home, but she'd felt obliged. She knew a lot of the members and didn't' want to appear ungrateful for all their support after Peter had died. Held in the ballroom at Greenfield Castle close to Banbury, it was attended by over three hundred people, including Nicholas.
When his carriage dropped him off at the Castle, he was in the company of David Henderson. They had been to Eton together, and apart from when Nicholas was pestering women, they were inseparable. Nicholas cast his blue eyes around the ballroom, looking for more prey. David noticed and recognized that look.
''I thought your father had told you not to,'' David said inquisitively.
Nicholas stroked his chin and pursed his lips. ''He did, but it's so tempting. Look at all these angels, just look at them,'' his hand made a sweeping gesture as if he was spreading seed in a field. ''It's more than any man can bear.''
''Stop your philandering and find a wife, it's serious. Do you want to be disinherited?''
''No, of course not. But I don't want to marry either. Outside the bedroom, women are insufferable, and I'll only marry when I really need an heir, not before.''
''Then you will be poor,'' David said in a matter of fact way.
He's right, Nicholas thought. I have no choice. Contemplating the end of his carefree days was more than he could bear. He cursed his father and followed David to the bar where they downed two glasses of champagne rapidly.
''I'm Nicholas Gerathy,'' he said putting out his hand to the woman next to him.
''Adele Vaughan,'' she replied. He looked at her. Even more beautiful than Georgina, he decided. He liked delicate women with a large bust. He peered into her blue eyes and saw pain.
''Are you alright?'' he asked.
He was handsome she thought, dark hair and a strong face with green eyes and a white smile, he looked healthy and fun to be with. But she'd seen men like him before. He was a womanizer, of that there was no doubt. ''What business is it of yours?'' It was harsh, but her life was in turmoil, and the last thing she wanted was an evening with such a man.
Nicholas was taken aback. No woman had ever spoken to him like that before. ''I'm sorry if I have offended you.''
''You have. You addressed me without introduction, and what makes you think there is anything wrong with me? And what made you think you can be so forward with me?''
''Forward? I am forward when I want to be and with whom I want.'' Nicholas was irritated by her. Beautiful she may be, but just a woman.
''No, tell me. Why do you think there is anything the matter with me?''
''If you must know, your eyes look sad.''
''Oh, my eyes, indeed,'' she spoke sarcastically. ''Do you always look so intrusively into a lady's eyes on first meeting them?''
''Miss Vaughan, I really don't know what to say.''
''Mrs.''
''What?''
''I am Lady Vaughan, not Miss. Do I look like an unmarried woman?''
Nicholas was beginning to wish he'd stayed away from the ball. He looked jealously across at David, who'd drifted over the room to talk to a beautiful young woman in a pink dress. ''I am not sure if it is possible to see by merely looking at a woman, whether she is married or not,'' he offered. Adele turned her back to him and struck up a conversation with the old man next to her.
“She's the most irritating woman I have ever encountered,'' he told David. ''Do you know who she is?''
''Adele Vaughan. Her husband was killed during a hunt some time ago,'' the young woman in pink said.
''This is Miss Julia Leatham,'' David said, by way of introduction. Nicholas bowed, and she curtsied.