“I am indeed able to handle myself in public, Miss Evans. Perhaps we can move this farce along however by arranging a date?”
The Duchess sighed and leaned back in her chair.
“Perhaps it would be for the best.”
“Very well,” Miss Evans said. She sat up straight and cleared her throat. “Given the Duke’s incredibly busy schedule, I propose an official introduction between His Grace and Lady Frances at his earliest convenience. Perhaps this coming Sunday after church? A walk in the park may be a good occasion. With me as chaperone, of course.”
“Of course.” Maxwell was pleased to hear Miss Evans would be there on the occasion. He would certainly like to see her again soon.
“Once the official introduction has been made, Your Grace and the Lady will be setting the schedule of the courtship and inform me of the upcoming occasions so I may be present. I suggest Promenade walks, visits to balls, perhaps Almack’s.”
“If the courtship proceeds well, you may invite the lady and her family to Kent,” the Duchess chimed in.
“Yes, Mother. Thank you for allowing me to invite company to my own house,” Maxwell replied. His mother frowned.
“Do not be impertinent, Maxwell. You know as well as I that it would be bad manners to bring her to Hawthorne Hall without my approval.” Miss Evans looked from one to the other, her eyes wide. She clearly wished to be anywhere but here. How Maxwell empathized.
“So, it is set. I shall meet the Lady this Sunday coming at Hyde Park, accompanied by Miss Evans to ensure the lady’s reputation. We can discuss further outings after the meeting. I will reaffirm that I do not have much time for this courting business, for I am busy in Parliament.”
“I understand very well. Nearly everything takes precedence over the search for a wife, though a wife would ensure the family line remains intact so future generations of Gatterlens may also serve in the House of Lords.”
She spoke so fast he had a hard time keeping up. He caught the insult, however. His mother, on the other hand, did not.
At long last, Maxwell was able to extract himself from the conversation, leaving the two women to hash out the details. Exasperated, he retreated to his chambers where his valet assisted him in getting ready for Parliament.
As he was getting ready for the long evening ahead, he found his mind wandering back to the matchmaker. He’d never met a commoner so eager to spar with someone of his class. Feisty, certainly very feisty. He smiled to himself as his valet buttoned up his vest. Suddenly, he heard voices in the hall. His mother and the lady were walking downstairs.
“Hurry up, man,” he found himself rushing his valet. He experienced the sudden need to finish dressing and get out the door himself.
Chapter 7
Alexandra was waiting for her hired coach to arrive when she heard the door of the great mansion open behind her. She glanced around and saw the Duke emerge from the house dressed in his finest attire. He looked rather handsome, she had to admit. She had no trouble picturing him addressing the House with his deep, strong voice.
She didn’t know quite what to make of the man. Neither did she know why she felt the need to be quite so impertinent in his presence. She knew very well that to speak the way she had spoken to the Duke was highly unseemly for a lady, and especially for a commoner such as herself. It was the kind of behavior that could endanger her business if word spread. Fortunately, nobody had overheard their conversation, and her last rude remark went over the Duchess’s head. Still, she would have to bite her tongue even harder than usual in the future. Something about the man simply infuriated her.
At the same time, she had greatly enjoyed the banter, even though it made her furious. To her surprise, he smiled at her as he approached.
“Miss Evans,” he said. “Fancy seeing you here again so soon. It is almost as though you enjoyed my company. Contrary to what you may say.”
“Your Grace,” she gave him a nod of the head. “On your way to Parliament, I see.”
“Indeed, I am. Would you like to ride in my carriage? I could deliver you to your office.”
Is he trying to ruin my reputation? Surely, he knows I cannot be seen riding alone with him. What is the matter with this man?
“That is quite alright. The coach should be here any moment. Besides, you are well aware it would be highly unseemly for me to ride unaccompanied in a carriage with you.”
The mere notion of the Duke suggesting she ride in the carriage with him was scandalous. It could ruin her reputation if they were seen. She took the opportunity to make him aware of the error of his ways.
“I do hope that once you meet Lady Frances, you will not be so presumptuous as to suggest riding around in carriages without a chaperone present. As you well know, that will ruin her chances of finding an eligible husband. That is, if your courtship with her does not result in marriage. And, while I may be a commoner, my business is to attend to the needs of the high society, so being seen entering a carriage unaccompanied with you would also be my ruin. But I thank you for your kind offer.” She glared at him. What is it about him that makes me feel so peculiar?
“Forgive me, Miss Evans. I should have been clearer. I would of course have fetched one of my servants to accompany us, I am quite aware what a lady’s reputation is worth. And I vow that should I have occasion to ride in the carriage with Lady Frances, you shall always accompany us. Unless of course she would enjoy a ride in my cabriolet or phaeton. In this case you shall have to ride in the tiger’s seat.”
He laughed out loud while she attempted to glower at him. However, a smile escaped her lips instead.
“It would not be the first time, I assure you,” she retorted. Indeed, it had not. While chaperoning the Marquess of Chatterley and Lady Brown, she’d had to sit in the tiger’s seat of his cabriolet. It had been rather enjoyable.
“Is that so? You must tell me more.”
She really did not consider it appropriate to banter with the Duke in the middle of the street in this manner. Where was her carriage? She looked up and down the road. The host of vehicles drove past her but not the one she hoped to lay her eyes upon.
Meanwhile the Duke’s carriage made its way around the back of the house and stopped.
“Are you quite certain that you would not like to ride with me?” he asked again, this time winking at her. She shook her head.
“I shall wait my turn, Your Grace. And I do hope that you will give the Lady Frances more respect than you have given me and not confuse her with inappropriate conversation.” The smile disappeared from his face.
“You do not know me well, Miss Evans. I apologize for my behavior. I do not usually engage ladies in conversations in the street. I do appreciate the effort you’ve put forth on my behalf. You came to us highly recommended, so I know better than to let your hard work go to waste.”
Alexandra frowned. Who could’ve possibly recommended her? She had done all the work herself, introducing herself, by way of Lady Chatterley, to the Duchess. As if he had read her confused expression on her face, he explained.
“My good friend Viscount Hendley is also a client of yours.” Alexandra’s face lit up. She truly liked Viscount Hendley, even though he was one of her more difficult clients as she had not found an appropriate match for him yet.
“Lord Hendley is quite the gentleman. I am glad that he has spoken highly of me even though I have not yet been able to provide him with a suitable match.”
The Duke shrugged. “He understands that his situation is challenging. He has all the faith in you. Rest assured. And you have indeed made a smashing match for his sister, Lady Sophie. I attended her wedding some months ago and she appeared rather pleased with her new husband.”
Alexandra smiled. “I do appreciate you telling me, Your Grace. Lady Sophie was a lovely client and I am happy to hear she is content.”
Lady Sophie had only been eighteen years old when she became a client, younger than most her other clients. However, due to her brother�
�s difficult financial situation, and the tragedy that befell the family, it had been of the utmost importance to find a good match for the Lady. If only to relieve her brother of some of the financial burden. She recalled the uncertainty of the match early on. The dowry provided by the Viscount was marginal and Alexandra did not hold high hopes for the match when she suggested it to Baron Temberley.
To her delight, the Baron and Lady Sophie had been taken with each other from the start and the Baron had asked for her hand in marriage after only three weeks of courtship.
Just then, she heard her carriage arriving.
“It looks as though we are both ready to depart,” the Duke said. “It has been a pleasure, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.”
“I believe you mean you look forward to meeting your future bride on Sunday,” Alexandra corrected him.
He nodded at her. “But of course.”
With that, Alexandra turned and walked toward her carriage, which had stopped at the curb, as the Duke turned to enter his.
* * *
Upon arriving on her street, Alexandra was pleased to see that Mr. Holmes was in his shop and by himself. He saw her passing by and waved at her. When Alexandra opened the door, a small bell rung. She looked up and saw that Mr. Holmes had installed it above the door.
“A new device?” she asked but he did not answer. “Mr. Holmes?” Where is he? He was just behind the counter a moment ago. She walked to the counter to check when, just as quickly as he had disappeared, he reappeared. Hopping up from behind the counter like a bunny, a grin on his face.
She stumbled backwards, clutching her chest.
“Mr. Holmes, I am not amused!”
He laughed. “But I am! And your expression is rather priceless. Every. Single. Time.”
He had played the same trick on her before. She ought to be smarter about it but he always left so much time between his pranks that she’d quite forgotten the last one. Usually, she found his pranks funny. Not today.
“Mr. Holmes, it is not a good day to play jokes upon me. I have had the most strenuous morning.”
“Oh, I am sorry to hear it. Did your meeting with the Duke and Duchess go poorly?”
“It was rather successful. The Duke will be formally introduced to Lady Frances on Sunday at Hyde Park.”
“Marvelous! So why the long face?”
Alexandra shook her head. “I am perturbed because His Grace is a pompous gabster with a distinct lack of manners for a man of his stature. He set up my bristles all morning!”
“Is that so?” Mr. Holmes said. “I was under the impression that the Duke’s manners were beyond reproach.”
“How would you know? Have you met him?”
Holmes shook his head and looked away as if he’d been caught out.
“You know how the nobles are, always talking about one another, and such and such. The Earl of Alderth had lunch with him just the other week and mentioned how well-mannered the Duke was.”
“Ah, the Earl again. He is rather a frequent visitor, is he not?”
Holmes shrugged. “He collects fine pocket watches, among other things.”
Alexandra pursed her lips. “I see. In any case, the Duke is much more work than I had anticipated, and he looks at me in a bit of an odd fashion. I noticed it while conversing with his mother.”
“Well, my dear. You are a diamond of the first water, so it is no surprise to me.”
Alexandra was touched by the sentiment, false though it may be.
“Thank you, dear Holmes. You are kind. However, let me assure you, the Duke was not looking as though he were an admirer. I believe he is so opposed to marriage, he wishes to intimidate me by making me uncomfortable and being as awkward as possible.”
Holmes patted her hand. “We both know that whatever his reasons, they will not stop you. You are as determined and resourceful as your mother was. Now. How about a hot chocolate?”
Alexandra’s mood lightened at once. There was nothing better than a hot chocolate on a cold day. Especially after you had to spend your entire day with a man as confusing as the Duke. Mr. Holmes made his way to the front door and locked up. A hot chocolate and good company was just what Alexandra needed after the day she’d had.
Chapter 8
Maxwell sat on the bench in the House of Lords and surveyed the hall as the Duke of Grosvenor carried on his speech in favor of increasing taxation.
Many of the seats were empty. The Lords who were meant to fill these seats were surely out and about, calling upon their associates or indulging in a game or two at White’s or one of the other gentleman’s clubs. He was relieved to spot his friend, Lord Hendley, seated across from him on one of the back benches. While young and unfamiliar with the rules of the House, not having been raised to inherit after all, he did listen to Maxwell’s counsel when it came to matters of the state.
Maxwell always found it unseemly that so many of his fellow Lords did not attend Parliament and would rather frolic. While he did not enjoy sitting on a hard bench, listening to many a boring speech, it was part of his responsibility as Duke.
Despite the boredom and hard bench, he much preferred this responsibility to the other. Oh, how he dreaded meeting Lady Frances on Sunday. Across the aisle from him, Lord Hendley rose and made his way toward him. Sliding into the empty seat beside him, Hendley leaned in.
“You have the expression of a man sentenced to be bound and quartered. I understand you have met with you future betrothed?”
Maxwell shook his head “Not yet. I shall meet her on Sunday, at Hyde Park directly after church.”
“Church?” Hendley frowned. “I have never known you to attend church.”
“I generally don’t. The Lady, however, frequents St. George of Hanover every Sunday and Miss Evans felt it was a suitable location to be introduced.”
“Ah. Miss Evans. How is the dear lady?”
Maxwell glanced sideways, considering just how much of his thoughts he should share with Hendley.
“She appears quite well. She is a rather outspoken woman. No regard for my station.”
“Is that so? I have found her exceedingly polite and professional.”
“Well, she appears accomplished and confident. I do not doubt her expertise. However, she is rather brash with me.” He found that a smile danced around his lips whenever he thought of the matchmaker. He quickly forced it off his face, but it was too late. Lord Hendley had already seen.
“Are you enamored with the matchmaker? She is rather charming.”
“Ridiculous! I most certainly am not. And she is a rather common lass in my opinion.” It pained him to say this for it was not at all true, but he could not allow himself to appear as though he had anything other than professional thoughts about the woman.
“If you say so, Gatterlen. In any case, it would be rather inconvenient if you did, for not only is she a commoner, but she has also taken a vow to remain unattached for life.” Maxwell had to pretend as if this statement did not rouse his interest as strongly as it did.
“Is that so?”
Hendley leaned back, legs crossed as if he were at White’s rather than the House of Lords. Not that anyone cared, the hall was all but deserted today anyhow.
“I have heard by way of my sister, that Miss Evans’s mother lived a rather sad life after her husband passed on. To avoid such a fate, she has sworn to be a matchmaker and nothing but a matchmaker. But as you have no feelings of any sort for or about her, that should not make a difference to your dealings with her.”
Maxwell wanted to follow up on this piece of information, but Lord Grosvenor had finished his speech and it was time for voting. Hendley returned to his seat across the aisle and Maxwell forced himself to think of the vote, rather than the matchmaker.
Chapter 9
Alexandra had risen early and found the day rather dreary, not ideal for a walk in the park at all. It was so dark outside that she was forced to light the tallow candles in her bedchamber in order to get
dressed. She disliked lighting them, for they smoked and smelled of old mutton. She had a box of beeswax candles in her office which were reserved for when clients came to see her after dark or on days such as this. She never used those for herself as they cost a small fortune. She was sure at Woodley House the Duke lit beeswax candles exclusively. He seemed that sort of person who could do so without a second thoughts.
Perfectly Mismatched With The Duke (Historical Regency Romance) Page 6