I'll Always Love You

by Ella Quinn

  Once Lucinda and Miss Marlow were far enough away from the ladies that they wouldn’t be overheard, Lucinda commented, “I feel sorry for Lady Alice.”

  “I think she is making a great deal over nothing,” Miss Marlow said indignantly. “I cannot imagine not wanting to marry.”

  “To be fair, she did not say she had no wish to wed. She just did not want to come to Town.” That begged the question of whether there was a gentleman at home Lady Alice liked.

  Miss Marlow linked her arm with Lucinda’s as they strolled around the room. “What are you looking for in a husband?”

  “I have decided I want a love match.” She glanced at her new friend. “As for requirements, he must be a gentleman, able to support a wife,”—she could not imagine being allowed to marry anyone who could not afford a family—“and he must like horses as much as I do, and not keep me from reading what I want. What do you wish for?”

  Miss Marlow pulled a face. “I would have to say that I agree with your first two requirements, but I would ask that he not make me ride a horse. I have been afraid of them since I was a child. My father would like me to wed a peer, or a man who will become a peer. I have not decided if that is so important.”

  Lucinda remembered that her sister-in-law had found a match for a suitor she had not wanted. Could she do the same thing? Lucinda was hard pressed to keep her smile to herself. It appeared that Miss Marlow would be perfect for Lord Quorndon. Somehow, Lucinda would have to arrange an introduction.

  Fortunately, the opportunity came much sooner than she thought it would. Just as they were finishing supper, there was a small commotion at the entrance to the supper room.

  Miss Marlow, as did everyone else, glanced in that direction. Her eyes widened. “Who is that?”

  Lucinda looked at the door as several gentlemen strolled in. Among them were her brother and Lord Elliott, who looked extremely elegant in a black jacket, striped waist coat, and a perfectly tied cravat. Not to mention shirt points that were not so high he couldn’t see. “Which one?”

  “No, over there, bowing to the lady with the blond hair sitting next to the older lady.”

  The older lady was Lucinda’s mother. But the man—resplendent in a Prussian blue jacket and matching satin breeches—bowing to his mother was Quorndon!

  A slow smile drew her lips up. “The Marquis of Quorndon. Please allow me to introduce you.”

  “How kind of you.” Miss Marlow’s bow lips curved into a satisfied smile.

  Lucinda linked her arm with her new friend’s and led her across the room. “My lady, I did not see you earlier.”

  Lady Quorndon fluttered her hand. “I did not wish to interrupt you. Fortunately, there is no need to chaperone you young ladies at this event, so we older ladies may chat all we wish.”

  “Good evening, my lord.”

  Lord Quorndon smiled politely and bowed. “My lady.”

  Lucinda curtseyed before turning her attention to Miss Marlow. “Mother, Lady Quorndon, I’d like to introduce you to Miss Marlow, Lady St. Claire’s niece.” Lucinda waited until the ladies had greeted her friend. “Miss Marlow, may I introduce Lord Quorndon to you?”

  She performed an elegant curtsey and held out her hand. “A pleasure to meet you, my lord.”

  Lord Quorndon’s eyes widened and his cheeks flushed slightly as he bowed over her fingers, taking them in his hand. “The pleasure is mine, Miss Marlow.”

  Lucinda was glad to see that he held her friend’s fingers a little longer than necessary.

  She cut a look at her mother, but the older ladies had gone back to their comfortable coze. Miss Marlow and Lord Quorndon’s reactions to each other were promising. Lucinda must find some way to arrange another meeting between them before they left the soirée. And—before Mama and Lady Quorndon noticed the looks of interest on the couple’s faces.

  But where? Not the Park. It was too crowded during the Fashionable Hour.

  Think, think, think. There must be somewhere…“Miss Marlow, have you been to the British Museum yet?”

  She glanced at Lucinda. “I have not, but I have heard I should attend while in Town.”

  “I would be delighted to escort you ladies.” Lord Quorndon made the offer so quickly, Lucinda’s head spun.

  Yet they must attend early in the day. Did his lordship arise before noon? Well, if he was interested in Miss Marlow, he would. “Perfect.” She kept her smile to herself. “Would tomorrow at eleven suit?”

  “What a wonderful idea.” Miss Marlow clapped her hands lightly.

  Lucinda thought she saw a slight grimace on his face, but he bowed. “Ladies, I am at your disposal.”

  This might be easier than Lucinda had thought. She glanced around and saw her brother making his way through the crowd. “Miss Marlow, we should look for your aunt and my sister-in-law.”

  As they strolled away, Lucinda saw Lord Elliott still standing near the door. What would it take to convince him to join them at the museum tomorrow? Perhaps she could mention it if she saw him riding in the morning. At least he would be awake long before eleven. Or perhaps she need not wait that long.

  Gerald and his friends were ushered into Lady Bellamny’s elegant supper room. Potted plants lined the walls, and round tables were scattered around the room. It seemed as if they were not the first gentlemen to arrive.

  Quorndon was on one side of the room, greeting his mother and the dowager duchess. Gerald scanned the gathering until his eyes rested on Lady Lucinda sitting next to another lady. She glanced toward the door, and, for a brief moment, their eyes met.

  Then the other lady claimed her attention by pointing toward Quorndon. A sly smile appeared on her face. She took the lady by the arm and led her across the room.

  “What the devil is my sister up to?” Rothwell’s low growl sounded behind Gerald, who had not taken his eyes off Lady Lucinda.

  “She appears to be introducing Quorndon to her friend.”

  “If she’s scheming, I hope she doesn’t catch cold at it,” Rothwell responded. “I’m going to look for my wife.”

  “We’ll come with you.” Kenilworth surveyed the room. “Where your wife is, ours will be as well.”

  Merton nodded as he and Kenilworth followed Rothwell.

  “I’ll just remain here a moment.” Gerald glanced at Lady Lucinda again.

  What scheme could her brother mean, and was it something about which he should be concerned?

  This looking after a young lady was much more involved than he’d originally thought. Not only that, but if he spent all his time chaperoning her, he’d have no time to look for a wife of his own.

  The lady with Lady Lucinda curtseyed, and Quorndon bowed. The tableau reminded him of one of his mother’s Meissen porcelain figures, albeit not in last century’s clothing.

  Devil a bit!

  Gerald would bet his last groat she was matchmaking.

  The next thing he knew, she was headed directly for him. Now what was she up to?

  “Good evening, my lord.” Her eyes sparkled with the look of a cat who’d got into the cream.

  “My lady, good evening. Are you looking for your brother?”

  “Not yet.” She addressed the other lady. “Miss Marlow, may I make Lord Elliott known to you?”

  Gerald did the pretty and waited for Lady Lucinda to tell him what she wanted.

  She glanced at him hopefully. “Miss Marlow, Lord Quorndon, and I are visiting the British Museum tomorrow. I wonder if you would like to join us.”

  “It has been a long time since I have been there. I should be delighted to accompany you.” It would also give him a chance to find out if she really was scheming.

  “Excellent.” Once again, she gave him a brilliant smile. “We shall meet there at eleven.”

  “In the morning?” He couldn’t believe she had convinced Quo
rndon to rise before noon.

  Her brows drew together, and she gave Gerald a stern look. “Of course in the morning.”

  “Naturally. I was just surprised that…It doesn’t matter. Eleven is a perfectly good time of day to visit the museum. I shall see you then. It should not be too crowded.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” She reassumed her sunny demeanor. “We should find my brother and Miss Marlow’s aunt.”

  The two ladies ambled off, and Gerald wondered if he’d see Lady Lucinda riding in the morning. If he did, he intended to ask her some pointed questions about her plans for Miss Marlow and Lord Quorndon.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Early the next morning, Lady Lucinda, her cheeks infused with color after a gallop, reined in next to Gerald. The weather was still cool, but the sky was clear, promising a lovely day. “Good morning.”

  “My lady. I hoped you would be here.” Ever since last night he’d been trying to think of a way to address her mechanisms of the previous evening.

  Her head swung around, and she met his gaze, holding it for a moment. “What a very nice thing to say.”

  Heat traveled up his neck, although he had no reason to feel flushed. Nevertheless, he refused to be distracted from his intent. “Are you by any chance attempting to make a match between your friend and Quorndon?”

  “Oh, dear.” She pulled her plump bottom lip—he had never before noticed how enticing her lips were—between white teeth. “I do hope no one else noticed. At least, until they fall in love.”

  Quorndon in love? Not likely. “Ah. What, exactly makes you think they will…er…fall in love?”

  “Surely you saw them together. They are a matched pair.”

  “If you were putting together a team, I’d agree. Still, there is more to a marriage than the way a couple looks together—”

  Lady Lucinda shrugged and took off at a gallop.

  Drat the woman! She’s not going to get out of this conversation that easily.

  A minute or so later, Gerald caught up with the minx. “And if Miss Marlow does not engage his affection?”

  “I’ll find someone else. I do not wish to marry him, and the easiest way out of the match our mothers are attempting to make is to give him an alternative.” Lady Lucinda’s chin took on a mulish cast that reminded him of the duchess. Although, he didn’t think she would take a gentleman out of a ballroom by his ear. At least, he hoped she wouldn’t. “I will never be able to wed the gentleman I wish to marry if I do not find a match for Lord Quorndon.”

  Gerald fought to keep his jaw from dropping. She’d only been in Town for a little over a week. “Have you found a gentleman you wish to wed?”

  Lady Lucinda glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, then gazed straight ahead. “I might have.”

  He wanted to run his finger under his collar. How could this have happened? He had been watching her so carefully. Well, when he was with her, that was. Had she met this gentleman when she’d been with the duchess or Rothwell?

  It behooved Gerald to find out as much about her mystery man as possible. “Is he eligible?”

  She stared at him, as if startled. “As eligible as you are.”

  That was a relief. He had heard of some young ladies who formed attachments with grooms, and footmen, and dancing masters. Still, he should have known Lady Lucinda would not do anything that would create a scandal. “Well then, I wish you luck in your endeavor.”

  Her lips curved in a small smile as she regarded him for a long moment. “Thank you.” The next instant, her expression had vanished completely. “I am looking forward to seeing the museum.”

  “I believe you are more interested in how Lord Quorndon and Miss Marlow get on,” Gerald retorted dryly, attempting to bring the discussion back to Lady Lucinda’s matchmaking.

  His tone didn’t appear to bother Lady Lucinda at all. She urged her mare to a trot. He was going to drag her off that horse if she didn’t stop riding away from him.

  “You must admit that they fit together perfectly,” she called over her shoulder.

  “If one was only interested in physical appearances, yes. But there is much more to a marriage than that.” At least, there ought to be. Though he had a feeling that for Quorndon, the way a lady looked on his arm might carry a great deal of weight.

  “Oh, they have more in common than that,” she said. “Neither of them likes to ride.”

  “That must be an important consideration.” Gerald thought he’d kept his tone grave, but she must have heard his doubt.

  “Well, I think it is.” She brought her mare to a halt, and he pulled up beside her. “If Miss Marlow was to marry a gentleman who was an excellent rider, he would wish her to ride as well.” Lady Lucinda pulled her lower lip between her teeth again, and Gerald had to take a breath. He shouldn’t be reacting to her at all. “What I do not understand is why his lordship doesn’t enjoy riding.”

  “He won’t do anything that makes him appear at a disadvantage, and he’s got the worst seat I’ve ever seen. Doesn’t tool a carriage either.” Lady Lucinda glanced at him with her brows raised. “Ham handed.”

  She nodded thoughtfully. “I can see him not wishing to make himself look bad. What does he do well?”

  “He’s the very devil with a rapier, and no one would ever fault his dancing. He’s extremely particular with his clothing—”

  “He is a dandy,” she said, cutting him off. “I prefer your style over his.”

  Now what was Gerald to say to that? He had never had a lady compliment him in that manner. Heat rose in his neck. Good Lord, he was blushing.

  She laughed lightly. “Do not tell me I have put you to the blush!”

  “It appears that is exactly what you have done, my lady.” He wished he could tamp down the heat in his face.

  “I shall not apologize. What I said was the perfect truth. I will, however, change the subject. What shall we look at in the museum?”

  In other words, what would they view while Quorndon and Miss Marlow got to know each other. “There are many fine paintings, as well as the Rosetta Stone, and the Parthenon sculptures. I’m quite sure there is enough to keep us busy for a few hours.”

  “Splendid.” She glanced at the broach watch on her bodice. “I must go home. I shall see you later.”

  “I look forward to it.” Gerald watched her ride off down the path toward the Grosvenor gate. What an amazing young lady.

  Lucinda glanced back and gave a little wave. He returned her salute. Who in perdition had she decided on? Did the gentleman even know she was interested in him? Perhaps he should warn Rothwell, or his duchess.

  Gerald arrived at his rooms to find a note from his mother asking him to join her for tea that afternoon. Based on her reaction yesterday, he’d expected to be summoned. He might as well hear what she had to say. She was like a dog with a bone when she wanted something.

  First though, he would enjoy watching Lady Lucinda try to make a match between Quorndon and Miss Marlow.

  Gerald scribbled a hasty reply to his mother accepting her invitation to tea, and went into break his fast. He finished dressing and answered correspondence until it was time to depart.

  Just as he arrived at the museum, a landau carrying Lady Lucinda; Miss Marlow; her aunt, Lady St. Claire; another lady; and Quorndon pulled up to the pavement in front of the stairs leading to the entrance.

  He reached the carriage in time to assist Lady Lucinda and the older lady from the vehicle.

  “Mrs. Smithson,” Lady Lucinda said. “May I introduce Lord Elliott? My lord, Mrs. Smithson, Lady St. Claire’s cousin who is visiting for several weeks.”

  “I’m pleased to meet you, my lord.” The lady curtseyed as he bowed.

  “As I am to meet you.” “Relieved” was a better word. Gerald was pleased that Lady St. Claire and her cousin had come to chaperone.

>   He held out his arms to escort both ladies, but Mrs. Smithson laughed. “You may accompany Lady Lucinda. I shall remain with my cousin.”

  Looking past Mrs. Smithson, he noticed Quorndon mounting the steps with Miss Marlow. Lady St. Claire waited at the bottom of the stairs.

  Obviously, her ladyship was wasting no time in allowing Quorndon to come to know her niece.

  “Excellent.” Lady Lucinda slipped her hand in Gerald’s arm, and a feeling of pride surged through him, which confused him. Granted, she was extremely lovely in a pink muslin gown embroidered with flowers and birds, but he…had no time to think about his reaction now. The rest of their party was making their way up the stairs.

  “I am very excited,” Lady Lucinda confided in a low, musical tone. “I have never been to a museum before.”

  He liked her enthusiasm and found himself drawing her a bit closer, most likely to get through the door. “Do you have any idea what you would like to see first?”

  She grinned at him. “You have been here before, so I will allow you to choose.”

  Now his chest was puffing out. “I would be delighted.” They had entered the hall. It was still early, but in one of the rooms a few older children were drawing in front of paintings. “Let us go upstairs first. You will be able to see the giraffes.”

  The moment she saw them, he was glad he’d suggested it. “How beautiful they are.” She stood staring at them, as if mesmerized. “They look like a family.”

  Gerald had never noticed it before, but there were two larger animals and a smaller one. “Yes, they do. The animal next to them is a rhinoceros. Have you heard of them?”

  Lady Lucinda flashed him a smile, and he found himself flushing. He was only supposed to be taking care of her, not having reactions to one of his best friend’s sisters. “I have. They are supposed to be quite ferocious. I do wish they had brought the giraffes back alive.”

  “Indeed. A pity, that. I believe they were part of the collection bequeathed by Sir Hans Sloane and have been here for a very long time.” Gerald sounded pompous, and he didn’t like it.