No one's ever expected much from Dalton Irving, the reserved, sheltered, and bookish heir to the family fortune. So in order to secure their place in London's society, the Irvings have arranged for Dalton to marry the brother of a viscount. A man who comes from a family with a title and with quite the scandalous reputation. A man Dalton doesn't know. A man who's very publicly announced that he doesn't want to get married, least of all to Dalton, right in the middle of their engagement ball. In an attempt to flee whispered words and sudden gossip and unexpected hurt from venomous words, Dalton finds comfort from the very last person he would have expected -- the wry, reclusive, and unsocial Edward Whitman, Duke of Wellingham. Edward Whitman doesn't like most people on his best days. They're dull and predictable and care only about money and status. Tonight, however, is the engagement ball for his best friend's brother, so he'll make an appearance to assure the night's success even if the idea of anyone marrying young Dalton Irving puts a strange ache in the pit of his stomach. But after Dalton's intended makes a mess of the ball, Edward suddenly finds himself alone with the young man, drawn to his wide-eyed curiosity and kindhearted generosity, his rambling and odd musings. Neither of them can imagine what this evening has in store for anyone, and all it takes is one night in London to change everything.

One Night in London: Dalton and Edward

“Not personally,” she repeated. “Now, I want you to go back in there and smile.” She demonstrated as if he’d forgotten how to smile. “And this time, when Mr Thorne speaks to you, you are to answer him with gratitude and respect. Not like before.”


“I don’t know what I did wrong before.”


“Just pleasebehave like an Irving, Dalton,” she said, and Dalton heard what she didn’t say. Behaving like an Irving didn’t necessarily mean acting like himself. It meant acting like, well…William. “Your father expects you to marry that young man and you will notembarrass this family. Do we have an understanding?”


She ran her hands under the lapels of his black tailcoat, flattening them some more, and lifted her chin as she waited for him to answer. There was only one to give and Dalton resigned himself to his future of being married to Robert Thorne.


“Yes, Mother.” He held in a sigh. “I’ll make you proud. I promise.”


Chapter 11