by Laura Beers
“I meant nothing by it,” Kate replied.
“I would like to remind you that I am not your typical client,” Hannah stated. “I am your sister.”
Kate gave her a weak smile. “Forget I said anything,” she said. “I spoke out of turn.”
Hannah came around the table. “Consider it forgotten.”
“Thank you.”
“If you need me for any reason, I shall be in the drawing room with my needlework,” Hannah informed her.
Once she’d left the room, Hannah rested her back against the wall and released a sigh. She had never lied to her sister before, but she wasn’t left with much of a choice. If she’d revealed her true feelings for Martin, Kate would have never agreed to help her find a match this Season.
She was confident that once she found someone new to occupy her thoughts, she would start to forget about Martin.
Martin felt the coach jostle as it rolled down the street. His intention was to call upon Edward, but he also wanted to see how Hannah was faring. He couldn’t forget the expression on her face when he had asked for her to help secure him a match. It had been filled with a profound sadness, one that he couldn’t decipher.
He had always felt a responsibility towards Hannah, ever since they were children. She was an innocent in so many ways, and he had always enjoyed being in her presence. At times, she could be quite reserved, but whenever she rewarded him with a smile, it felt as if he had secured a small victory.
Which is why he felt uneasy about Hannah’s reaction the night before. He couldn’t exactly determine why that was. He had tossed and turned all night as he tried to solve the puzzle, but it was in vain.
The coach came to a stop in front of the whitewashed, three-level townhouse. As he walked towards the main door, it was opened, and the stout butler greeted him with the usual smile on his lips.
“Good morning, milord,” Cooper said as he stepped to the side to allow him entry.
Martin stepped inside. “Good morning. Is Lord Berkshire available for callers?”
Cooper nodded. “He is in his study,” he informed him. “Would you care for me to announce you?”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“As you wish,” Cooper acknowledged with a tip of his head.
As Martin started towards the rear of the townhouse, he glanced into the drawing room and saw Hannah on a settee, her attention focused on the needlework in her hands. He changed course and stepped into the drawing room.
Hannah didn’t glance up as he walked further into the room. He came to a stop next to the settee and watched as she diligently embroidered her initials onto a white handkerchief. Taking a moment, he admired her enchanting face and how her lips were set in a hard line as she focused on her task.
Martin decided to speak up and make his presence known. “Good morning, Hannah,” he said in a low voice.
Hannah let out a little gasp as her wide eyes came up. “You startled me,” she declared.
“That was not my intention.”
“No?”
He shook his head. “I saw you sitting here and came to inquire about how you are faring.”
“I am well,” she replied promptly.
He studied her for a moment. “Are you?”
A line between Hannah’s brows appeared. “Whyever do you ask?”
“I just wanted to ensure that I didn’t say anything that might have offended you last night,” he said with a timid smile.
“You didn’t.” Her words sounded forced.
“That is a relief.”
“In fact, Kate and I have decided to help you find a bride,” she revealed.
Martin’s smile grew. “That is wonderful news.”
Hannah kept her face expressionless as she continued. “We generally require our clients to go through a series of lessons, but we don’t believe that will be necessary for you.”
“I am pleased to hear that.”
Rising, Hannah said, “We will need to discuss the particulars of your situation, including the attributes you are looking for in a potential match.”
“I imagined that would be the case.”
“We can’t promise that we will find you a match in such a short period of time, but we shall try our best.”
“I do appreciate that.”
Hannah placed the handkerchief on the table. “Are you prepared for the strenuous process of being matched?”
He gave her a cocky grin. “I believe I can handle my own.”
“That’s good, because we don’t have time to coddle you.”
“I assure you that no coddling is necessary,” he joked.
She didn’t appear amused by his teasing. “You came to us for our help, and we expect you to take this seriously.”
His grin slipped. “Of course.”
“I am glad to hear that,” she replied. “After all, we strive for love matches.”
“That is what I want most of all.”
Hannah pursed her lips. “Wonderful,” she muttered curtly.
Martin eyed her curiously. “Did I do something to upset you, Hannah?”
“No,” she replied unconvincingly. It wasn’t what Hannah was saying, but how she said it, that caused him pause. Her tone and manner were somehow different.
Unsure of what to say, Martin held her gaze, hoping she would confide in him. He watched as Hannah’s eyes grew guarded and knew she would remain tight-lipped. It had been this way since they were children.
“If you will excuse me, I’m afraid I have some important business I must attend to,” Hannah said.
“Of course,” he replied with a stiff bow. “I look forward to meeting with you and Kate later.”
Hannah barely spared him a glance as she walked to the door. “As are we.”
He watched her depart from the room and had the sudden urge to follow her, to demand that she tell him the truth. He had done something to upset her, but he couldn’t determine what that was.
Why were women such delicate creatures? If only they would speak their minds, it would save a considerable amount of time.
Martin exited the drawing room and headed towards the study, finding Edward reviewing ledgers at his desk.
“Why are women such finical creatures?” he inquired.
Edward glanced up from his desk. “Do you truly expect me to answer that?” he asked. “Because I wouldn’t even know where to begin.”
Martin closed the door and walked over to the chair in front of the desk. “I believe Hannah is upset with me.”
“Why do you suppose that is?”
“I have no idea,” Martin replied, “but I just had the most unpleasant exchange with her in the drawing room.”
“What did she say?”
“It wasn’t what she said, but how she said it.”
Edward lifted his brow. “Perhaps you just perceived it incorrectly.”
“I assure you I did not.”
“If Hannah is cross with you, then why did she agree to help you secure a match?”
“I cannot answer that.”
Edward leaned back in his chair. “May I ask why your father decided you suddenly need to wed?”
“My father says it is time that I do my duty and produce an heir,” Martin explained. “Furthermore, he was in the same position when his father secured a match for him.”
“Why did he select Lady Isabella?”
Coming around the chair, Martin sat down. “He wants our families to be bonded through marriage.”
“What do you think of Lady Isabella?”
Martin shrugged. “We’ve attended the same social gatherings, but I have yet to be introduced to her. Frankly, I was never interested in doing so.”
“Well, your father can’t force you to marry Lady Isabella.”
Martin sighed. “No, but my father can be rather pigheaded at times,” he said. “He is not a man you want to cross.”
“But this is your future we are talking about.”
“I am w
ell aware,” Martin replied. “Which is why I have solicited Kate and Hannah’s assistance to help find me a bride.”
“Has no young woman caught your eye this Season?”
Martin shook his head. “I’m afraid not.”
“It’s a good thing you came to Kate and Hannah, because they are the best matchmakers in Town,” Edward said with pride.
“How is your sister faring?” Martin asked after a moment.
“By all accounts, Kitty appears happy with her choice to marry William.”
“That must be a great relief to you.”
“I suppose it is, but I refused to let my sister live in that hovel William called his home,” Edward said. “They are residing in my country house for the time being.”
“That is rather generous of you.”
“Kitty doesn’t know the first thing about being on her own,” Edward declared. “I have asked the housekeeper to help her adjust to her new role as the mistress of the house.”
“Your sister is a clever girl. I have no doubt she will rise to the challenge.”
Edward didn’t appear convinced. “Kitty was never raised with the intention of caring for herself. Everything has always been done for her since she was a little child.”
“She willingly chose to leave a life in Society behind when she married William.”
“I know, but I truly hope she doesn’t live to regret that choice,” Edward said, frowning. “She has tied herself to William for the rest of her days.”
“Have you made any more progress on buying an estate near your country home for Kitty?”
Edward nodded. “I purchased a small estate that borders ours, but it will require a lot of work to bring it up to snuff.”
“Is that so?”
“I’ve hired a steward to oversee the work on the manor,” Edward shared. “I don’t want to gift them the property until it is habitable.”
“That is most thoughtful of you.”
“I have used her dowry to cover all the expenses, and it is my hope that William can make the estate profitable within a few years.”
“That is a lofty goal.”
“That may be true, but William wasn’t utterly incompetent as my solicitor.”
Martin chuckled. “That is a glowing endorsement.”
“Believe me, it is,” Edward replied. “I trust he will be able to pick up the nuances of being a landowner with the assistance of a good steward.”
“I hope he is prepared for a life of meetings and reviewing ledgers,” Martin said. “It has a way of nearly consuming one’s life.”
Edward gave him a compassionate look. “How have you been faring since your father handed you control of your family’s properties and investments?”
“I must admit I wasn’t prepared for the work that went along with it.”
“You knew this day would eventually come.”
“I did, but I find that I am no more prepared for it.”
“I assure you, it will get easier with time,” Edward attempted.
“Perhaps, but I envisioned my life much differently,” Martin admitted, rising. “There must be more to life than working.”
“That’s why you need to find a wife.”
Martin grinned. “That is what I’m attempting to do.”
“Good,” Edward said, “but I should advise you that it is of the greatest importance that you choose wisely.”
“I am of the same opinion.” Martin walked over to the door. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have work I need to see to.”
“I wish you luck.”
4
Hannah sat at the writing desk in the drawing room as she wrote to her sister, Amelia. She was pleased that her sister had found love with the duke, but she missed her dreadfully. Perhaps she should recommend that Amelia visit before the end of the Season. It was most unfortunate that Amelia did not enjoy balls or social events, of any kind.
Kate walked in with files in her hand. “We must get to work if we want Martin to find a bride in less than a month.”
“I have no doubt that young women will be lining up for a chance to be courted by him,” Hannah said as she placed the quill down. “He will eventually become the Marquess of Darby.”
“That may be true, but we are trying to find a diamond in the rough.” Kate sat down on the settee. “I’ve sent word for Martin to join us.”
“You’ve been busy,” Hannah muttered.
“I see no reason to dally,” Kate replied, giving her a pointed look. “Do you?”
Hannah rose from the chair at the writing desk and smoothed her jonquil muslin gown. “I do not.”
“Excellent.” Kate placed the files onto the table in front of her. “I have selected two young women who I believe will potentially be excellent contenders for Martin.”
“Only two?”
“We have not spoken to Martin yet,” Kate reminded her. “We do not know what characteristics he is looking for in a bride.”
Hannah came to sit next to her sister on the settee. “I have no doubt he will want her to be beautiful.”
“I agree, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Kate shifted in her seat to face Hannah. “But first, we should discuss what attributes you are looking for in a suitor.”
The image of Martin came to her mind, but she dismissed it just as quickly. “I want someone who will love me above all else.”
“That is what I want for you as well,” Kate said. “But can you be more specific?”
“I want someone who is charming, but his words must be genuine.”
Kate nodded in agreement. “That’s good, because we have no time to entertain rakes, or fortune hunters, for that matter.”
“He must make me laugh.”
“A sense of humor is important.” Kate leaned forward and picked up a file. “I put together a list of gentlemen I believe would be a good fit for you.”
“Without speaking to me first?” Hannah asked in surprise.
Kate smiled. “It was a risk I was willing to take,” she joked as she opened the file. “I believe Lord Blakely, Lord Charles Brooksbank, and Lord Groff would all be a good fit for you.”
“I do not aspire for a title.”
“I am well aware, which is why I selected these gentlemen on their merits rather than titles,” Kate shared.
“That’s good.”
“Furthermore, they are friends with Edward, so he can vouch for their characters.”
“I am acquainted with Lord Blakely and Lord Charles, but I’m afraid I’ve never been introduced to Lord Groff,” Hannah said.
“And what do you think of Lord Blakely?”
“He is handsome enough,” she replied, “but I have only danced one set with him.”
“Lord Blakely is a staunch Tory, and he spends his time managing his vast holdings,” Kate said. “He is more serious in nature, but I have witnessed the jovial side of him.”
Martin’s voice came from the doorway. “Lord Blakely is decisively dull,” he announced.
“That is not true,” Kate declared.
Stepping further into the room, Martin continued. “He would much rather spend his time in the library than attend social gatherings.”
“There is nothing wrong with that,” Hannah defended. “It shows he is well read.”
Martin glanced between them with a curious look on his face. “Why are you both so interested in Lord Blakely?”
Hannah tilted her chin. “If you must know, I have decided I am interested in being courted this Season.”
“You are?” Martin asked.
“I am,” she replied.
Martin frowned. “Aren’t you rather young to be interested in matrimony?”
Hannah’s lips parted in disbelief at his ridiculous remark. “I just turned twenty and have had two Seasons,” she argued.
“You have?”
It was Hannah’s turn to frown. “I see that you have been rather perceptive when it comes to me.”
“I apol
ogize for my poor reaction,” he responded. “It is entirely unfair of me.”
“Thank you.”
Martin came to sit across from them on the settee. “May I ask what gentlemen you have set your cap to?”
“I have yet to decide anything,” Hannah said firmly.
“I see.”
Hannah paused. “Not that it is any of your business, but Kate believes Lord Charles Brooksbank and Lord Groff would also be splendid matches for me.”
Martin nodded. “I would agree,” he replied. “They both appear to be honorable gentlemen.”
“I am pleased to hear that,” Hannah said. “With any luck, I will be wed by the end of the Season.”
Martin looked displeased by her response. “May I ask why the urgency to wed, Hannah?”
Hannah pressed her lips together, then replied, “I have seen how happy my sisters are now that they are wed, and I wish to have the same joy in my own life.”
“You are still young and—” Martin started.
Hannah spoke over him. “I thank you for your concern, but we have more important matters to discuss.”
“Of course,” Martin responded.
“We are here to determine the attributes you are looking for in a wife,” Hannah said.
Martin held her gaze for a long moment, his eyes holding questions. “I am looking for the usual attributes, I suppose.”
“Such as?” Hannah pressed.
“I want someone I can fall in love with and look forward to growing old with,” Martin remarked.
Kate spoke up. “Do you have a preference in appearance?”
“I have discovered the most beautiful women are the ones who smile the most,” he said. “I also would like for my bride to be clever and quick-witted.”
“Are you looking for a bluestocking, then?” Hannah asked.
Martin shrugged. “I am not opposed to a bluestocking.”
Hannah nodded. “I think Miss Grace Worthington would be a perfect choice for you,” she stated.
Kate looked over at her in surprise. “Miss Worthington?” she repeated slowly.
“Yes, Miss Worthington may be a bluestocking, but she is also clever and quick-witted,” Hannah smiled, “exactly what Martin asked for.”
Kate opened her mouth then closed it. Finally, she said, “That all may be true, but Miss Worthington is rather unfortunate looking.”