by Ella Quinn
“It is.” She lifted her face to the sky as if to make sure it was truly clear, or to soak in the sun. “I do wonder if it will last. I cannot help but compare it to two years ago when it was so cold and rainy that the crops were affected, and there was a great deal of poverty in the countryside from which people are just now beginning to recover.”
“It was even cold in Southern Italy.” He glanced at Lady Dorie, and for the briefest moment their eyes met before she lowered them, then looked straight ahead. Yet something had happened, at least to him. He had a strange urge to pull her into his arms, but it went beyond mere lust. “The citizens of Naples were not prepared for it.”
“I must introduce you to Lady Augusta and Lord Phineas Carter-Woods. They are both interested in travel.”
“I’d be happy to meet them.” Alex had met so many of Lady Dorie’s friends he was surprised he had not met Lady Augusta. Although he had been at a supper table with both of them, they had been engaged in a conversation that was not in any language he understood.
For the first time he wondered how his tenants had fared. “What did your father do to help his tenants?”
“It depended on how severely they were affected.” She looked at him, and her eyes were green. They had been green when she’d glanced at him earlier. “In parts of Kent, it was not nearly as bad as in the north. He received reports from the stewards, then we divided the estates into groups. Huntley was responsible for his own estate and the marquisate’s holdings in the Midlands. Mama and I visited the estates in the south, and Papa went north. Once we saw the effects ourselves, we could decide what needed to be done.”
While Alex’s father had had no one to help him, he should have remained in England. “I should make a tour of my estates as soon as the Season ends.”
“That would be for the best.” A line formed on Lady Dorie’s forehead, and his thumb itched to smooth it away. “You should know that it appears Lady Letitia will receive an offer from Lord Gray.” Lady Dorie’s tone was apologetic, and Alex wondered why.
“I shall wish them happy.” Gladly. He had never been interested in Lady Letitia and wouldn’t have anything to do with the woman after the gossip she had started to spread. He hoped Gray took the lady to his estate not far from the Scottish border and kept her there.
“I would not be surprised if you received a voucher for Almack’s.”
This non sequitur so stunned Alex he tightened the ribbons, unsettling his pair. “Why would I wish to attend Almack’s?”
Lady Dorie’s eyes widened and she regarded him as if he had run mad. “Naturally, you will want to be admitted. It is the mainstay of the Marriage Mart. You will meet many more ladies than I can introduce you to.”
Clearly, she had no idea that the only woman he was interested in was her. “I will know no one there.”
She waved her hand as if to brush away the problem. “There is no need to be concerned.” She sounded as if she were placating a child, and, for a second, he thought she would reach up and pat his head. Or ruffle his hair. He’d like to feel her fingers in his hair. “My friends and I attend every week.”
He still wasn’t sure he wanted to attend. Not if he was going to have to meet and stand up with other ladies. “In that event I shall look forward to receiving the voucher.”
A lady in a high-perched phaeton hailed them and he drew up.
“That is Lady Augusta and Lord Phineas Carter-Woods,” Lady Dorie explained. “Augusta, allow me to make Lord Exeter known to you.”
“My lady.” Alex inclined his head.
“And this is Lord Phineas,” Lady Dorie said.
“Pleased to meet you.” Alex gave the man a closer look. “I think I remember you from school.”
“That’s it.” Lord Phineas grinned. “I thought you looked familiar. I wish my father had had more trust that the war would end sooner. I’d have seen you on the Continent. Then again, I would have missed visiting Mexico, and I greatly enjoyed it.”
Someone else Alex knew. At least in one area, the pieces of his life were falling into place. “We must get together and compare our adventures.”
“Indeed we should,” Lord Phineas said as Lady Augusta spoke with Lady Dorie.
Dorie hailed a lady walking with a gentleman who looked familiar to him. “Miss Mannering,” Dorie said. “And Mr. Mannering.”
That was it. David Mannering. “Well met.”
“Exeter,” he said. “I’d heard you were back.” He drew the lady forward. “Pamela, allow me to introduce Lord Exeter. Exeter, my sister, Miss Mannering.”
The young lady resembled her brother a great deal; both had auburn hair and brown eyes. She curtseyed, but not as gracefully as Dorie did. “A pleasure, my lord.”
“Likewise, Miss Mannering.” He inclined his head.
“Will you be at Lady Wall’s ball tomorrow evening?” Dorie asked.
“Yes, indeed,” Miss Mannering said.
Alex was trying to come up with a way to bring the conversation to an end, when Dorie’s elbow found his ribs. “Miss Mannering, do you happen to have a country dance free?”
The polite smile widened. “I do. The fourth dance, my lord.”
“Thank you.” Glancing behind him, he said, “We had better be on our way.”
As he drove off, Dorie said, “Miss Mannering is a very nice lady. I take it you know the family?”
“I know Mr. Mannering.” He maneuvered the carriage around a large landau. “And now I know his sister.” Alex left it at that.
A half hour later, he brought the carriage to a stop in front of Huntingdon House and got around to the other side before a footman could reach them. She held out her hand, but he clasped his hands around her waist and slowly lifted her down. Eyes wide, Dorie sucked in a breath, and he didn’t want to let her go. “I hope you enjoyed the ride.”
“Yes.” A pink blush painted her cheeks, and her voice held a throaty quality that made his muscles tighten. “Thank you.”
“Do you have a free set for the ball tomorrow evening? A waltz?” He held his breath, and prayed for the supper dance.
She inclined her head. “Yes, you may have the second waltz.”
That was disappointing, but at least he would stand up with her. Stepping back, Alex bowed over her hand. “Thank you, my lady.”
“You are welcome.” She curtseyed before turning to go into the house.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Dorie’s mother had mentioned that the family was attending the theater this evening. Alex made his way down the stairs. He liked the theater but hadn’t been since he’d returned. Perhaps it was time to visit his box.
“Coyne, please send a message to the Theatre Royal telling them I shall require my box this evening.”
“As you wish, my lord.” He gave Alex a strange look.
That’s right. He had a secretary. “On second thought, I shall have Cunningham send the message.”
Coyne bowed. “A much better idea, my lord.”
Alex went to his study and found Dorie—he liked calling her that—had been correct. The voucher for Almack’s was in the middle of his desk. The only good thing about it was that as long as she was determined to guide him in wife hunting—he could only suppose that was what the introduction to Miss Mannering was about—she would dance with him. And that would give him more opportunities to convince her that she should wed him. Just like he hoped to be able to spend time with her between acts this evening.
That evening he had taken his place in his box, but it was lonely being the only one in it. The theater was more about visiting than actually watching the play, which in this case was just as well. He had never liked King Lear. Fortunately, during intermission, Huntley came and invited Alex to join his family. “If we had known you were interested in attending this evening, I’m certain my mother would have invited you to come with us
.”
“I didn’t think to mention it.” And he did not wish to be a burden, but if they wanted his company, he was delighted to have theirs
Her family welcomed him when he entered their box, even Dorie seemed pleased to see him. And even though he greeted her parents and sister-in-law, he had a hard time keeping his eyes from straying to her. She wore a light green gown of muslin. The bodice was embroidered with violet flowers and pearls, and the skirt had so many layers, she appeared to be floating. If only he could take her back to his box with him.
“Are you enjoying the play?” she asked.
“I would have preferred Much Ado About Nothing.” He cringed a little at the admission. “I find I like Shakespeare’s comedies better than his tragedies.”
“I must say that I agree, but one must attend the theater.” Her eyes sparkled in the candlelight. If only he could see if they were amber or green. “And one must always admire Shakespeare.”
“So I have always been told.” He gazed out at the other boxes and saw that they were attracting attention. “Who is that older gentleman with the opera glasses?”
She followed the direction he indicated. “That is Lord Tarrant.” She frowned for a moment, and turned to her father. “Papa, was Lord Tarrant not one of Lord Exeter’s father’s friends?”
“Yes.” Her father saluted the older man with a glass of champagne. “Yes, he was.”
“I thought so.” Dorie’s brow cleared. “Now that they have seen you, you will most likely begin hearing from more of your father’s friends.”
But did Alex want to? After all, he’d been in Town for almost two weeks and none of them had bothered to send cards expressing their condolences much less come by or invited him to their houses. He couldn’t even remember if he had attended a ball at one of their homes. “I cannot say I care. They left me to my own devices for this long. They can leave me alone for as long as they wish.”
“Despite how you feel, you must always strive to get along with others.” Her voice was low, but firm. “That is the only way to accomplish what needs to be done.”
“I suppose you are right.” And at this point, he did not need to make enemies. “I know you are correct.”
She smiled at him and he wanted to carry her away. There had to be some way to bring her around.
* * * *
The next afternoon, Alex’s sisters were out, and it was the governess’s half day. Judith had invited herself and her husband to dinner with him that evening. He supposed that was better than dining at her house where monkeys and parrots seemed to rule. As he settled down to read the last of the estate journals and correspondence, Coyne knocked on the door. “My lord, Lord Tarrant is here. I put him in the small drawing room.”
“Thank you, I shall be there directly.” Alex closed the journal.
“Very good, my lord. Shall I bring tea?”
He wondered if the older man would like brandy or wine instead, but Coyne had suggested tea and tea it would be. “Yes, please.”
Alex made his way to the parlor and hesitated. Was the man here only because he had seen Alex at the theater last night? Or was there another reason? After all, Alex knew very few of his father’s friends, and Tarrant wasn’t among them. Straightening his shoulders, Alex strolled into the room. “My lord.” He executed a short bow. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Lord Exeter.” The man bowed. “As you must know by now, I knew your late father.”
“So I was informed last night.” He motioned to one of the small sofas. “Please have a seat.” Alex sat on the matching one opposite. “As you might have surmised, I know very few gentlemen of my father’s acquaintance.”
His butler carried in the tea tray and set it down on the table between. “How do you like your tea, my lord?”
“A little milk.” The man glanced at the pot and grimaced, making him absurdly glad he had only tea to offer.
Then Dorie’s words came back to him. “Despite how you feel, you must always strive to get along with others. That is the only way to accomplish what needs to be done.”
“I can have wine or brandy brought in if you like.”
“No, tea is fine.” Lord Tarrant took the cup and balanced it on his lap. “I’m not fond of dancing around a subject, Exeter. There are a few of us who would have stopped by earlier, if for no other reason than to pay our respects. However, our wives are making it difficult. Naturally, we would want to invite you to our houses to dine if nothing else.”
The man need say no more. “But my mother’s behavior has created difficulties for you.”
“Yes.” His lordship’s bushy gray brows furrowed. “The feeling is that you should retire to the country until autumn.”
Alex rose. “Alas, I must send my apologies to your ladies. I cannot simply retire to the country. I have my seat in the Lords to take and other things I must see to in Town.”
“Lord Salisbury and Lord Stafford will sponsor you if you will wait,” the man said. “As you might know you must have two sponsors of your rank to take your seat. No one will sponsor you this Season.”
“I will give the matter some thought.” Alex had not known he was to be shunned by his father’s friends, but he’d wager Huntingdon did. “Thank you for stopping by, my lord. Please enjoy your tea. Unfortunately, I have some pressing matters to which I must attend.
As he expected, Tarrant rose as well. “Thank you for seeing me, my lord.”
Alex walked his lordship the short distance to the hall, waited for the man to collect his hat, and opened the door. “Until we meet again.”
“Yes, indeed.” The man bowed and a slight smile formed on his lips. “Until then.”
After Tarrant left, Alex went back to his study. He knew he’d given the impression he might actually depart Town. But nothing could make him leave now, and nothing could convince him to be a member of the Tory party. He was extremely grateful for Lord Huntingdon’s support and that of his family. Especially Dorie’s. Still, Alex would wager her father had known what was going on with his father’s so-called friends.
Later, as he was going through his correspondence, he found a letter from his aunt Emily. Alex broke the seal and spread the sheet of pressed paper on his desk.
My dear Exeter,
Thank you for your lovely invitation to come to join you in Town. However, I am preparing to journey to Europe for an extended visit with my son and his family. I hope to see you when I return sometime next year.
As to another female member of the family who is free and suitable to look after your sisters, I regret that I can think of no one. You definitely do not want either of my sisters-in-law. Two more featherbrained ladies you will never meet. My advice is to find a wife.
Your loving aunt,
E. E.
He dropped the letter to the desk. So much for finding someone to help him with his sisters until he managed to wed. And finding a wife, that was everyone’s advice, but no one had yet told him how to go about doing it. Other than approaching Lord Huntingdon and asking for permission to court his daughter, Alex was at a standstill. Dorie no longer treated him to cold, polite smiles, but neither was she inviting kisses, much less anything else. It was like being in purgatory.
For the first time since he’d returned to England, he was at a complete loss as to what to do. It seemed like years since he’d had any free time, yet it had only been just over two weeks. He considered going to White’s or Boodle’s, but neither club interested him at the moment. Particularly the bastion of the Tories, White’s. He would like to go to Brooks’s. Unfortunately, he wasn’t a member. Although that could be easily remedied. All he had to do was find someone to put him up for membership.
Calling for his hat, gloves, and cane, he decided to discover who was available to sponsor him. By the time he had accomplished that task, it would be time to go to the Park. He
first tried Huntingdon House, but his lordship wasn’t at home. He had the same results at Kenilworth House and Merton House, where the butler informed him there was a debate in the Lords today. Drat it all, he should be there, but he hadn’t received a writ of summons from the regent. Alex really should look into how long that took. But until then all he could do was be a spectator.
He was on his way home when Huntley hailed him. “Well met, Exeter.”
“Good day.” Alex might not be able to take his seat in the Lords yet, but he could take care of his entry at Brooks’s. “Would you be willing to sponsor me at Brooks’s?”
“I’d be honored.” The man hadn’t even batted an eye. “Are you free now?”
“I am.” They turned toward the west end of Grosvenor Square and onto Carlos Place. “It occurred to me that I have not received the writ of summons from Prinny.”
“You should ask my father to look into the matter for you,” Huntley said.
That was a relief. Alex wouldn’t know who at the court to contact. “Your sister asked if I’d be interested in having your father sponsor me. I wonder if that is one of the duties.”
Huntley shook his head. “I wouldn’t know and hope not to know for a good many years.” The corner of his mouth lifted. “I’m rather fond of the old man.”
“I can understand why.” They skirted Berkeley Square and turned on to Berkeley Street. It seemed like a long time since Alex had come this way.
“Have you decided to look for a wife or to put it off until next Season?” For a moment, he wondered if his friend was matchmaking, but Huntley’s tone was merely conversational.
“I wish to marry as soon as possible.” When the man didn’t respond, Alex continued, “For the sake of my sisters, if nothing else.”
“I don’t know many ladies worth their salt who would fall in with that reasoning.” Huntley slid a glance at Alex. “At least, none I would want.”
Perhaps now he’d find out what all this talk of love matches was about. “I don’t understand.”