by Ella Quinn
Dorie almost choked on her tea. “I had no idea.”
Her mother raised a brow. “If you did not know, then the lady kept it very close indeed.”
“I do not understand.” She had not seen either man “courting” another lady.
“It was Lady Augusta,” Mama said. “Apparently, her brother did not allow the offers to be made to her at all.”
Well, that explained it. Augusta did not wish to marry this Season or for several years and had told her brother as much. She also had not done anything to encourage either gentleman, and it would not occur to her to even mention any offers she had received. Dorie thought about attempting to make sense of what the gentlemen had been thinking and decided it might not be worth the effort. “I actually believe that both men might have developed feelings for the ladies they will wed.”
“I do hope so,” her mother replied. She set the paper down. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have a great deal to do today.”
As her mouth was full, she nodded and wiggled her fingers to her mother. Miss Prisca Osman had just come to mind. Surely she would be at Almack’s, and Dorie could introduce him to the lady. Thus far, she had not been successful in finding the right lady, but she would continue to try.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Alex was more than pleased about how his conversation with Dorie had gone this morning. She had been interested in his travels, and he was knowledgeable about the subject, unlike household and estate management. By the time he’d broken his fast, he had made up his mind to speak to her father about marrying her before Fotheringale asked for her hand. The only question was when to approach the gentleman. He was almost always at the Lords.
Sitting down at his desk, Alex heard rustlings from the room next to his, reminding him that he had a secretary. Alex had been leaving work on the man’s desk, but he’d have to spend some time discussing what he wanted his secretary to focus on going forward. But first, he’d write to Lord Huntingdon and ask for a meeting to discuss Alex’s marriage to Dorie. He did hope that she had not become attached to Fotheringale. Although Alex was much more eligible, that might not be enough to tip the scales if her affections were engaged by another man.
Drawing out a piece of pressed paper, he considered asking if his lordship knew anything about his writ for the Lords, but it might not be prudent to combine the two issues. He dipped his pen in the silver standish.
Dear Lord Huntingdon,
I would like to make an appointment to speak to you about offering for Lady Dorie’s hand in marriage. I realize I have not known her long, but I feel as if we would suit. She is everything I have been searching for in a wife and marchioness. Please respond with a time we can meet.
Yr. servant,
Exeter
Reading the letter over, Alex decided it conveyed his feelings on the matter. Anything else could be discussed in person. He sanded and sealed the letter, then placed it on his desk, and knocked on the door to his secretary’s room and opened it.
“Good morning. I hope you are settling in.”
Cunningham stood. “Yes, my lord, I am. What would you like me to begin with?”
“The invitations that are piling up on my desk.” Alex opened the door wider so that his secretary could see how many there were. “To be honest, I don’t even know which ones to accept, so I’ve been accepting all of them.”
Cunningham’s brows rose as he stared at the stack. “What types of entertainments would further your goals?”
“For the moment, any event that Lady Dorie Calthorp attends. My suppositions have been rather hit and miss.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” He picked up a pencil and made a note. “Is there anything else?”
“Yes, I’d like a report from all the estates.” That was a bit broad. “I want to know how the planting and growing is coming along, which tenants require repairs done to their houses, how the main house is maintained and if repairs need to be done.” Alex couldn’t think of anything else. He had not yet received the answers to the first set of questions he’d sent. “If you can come up with anything else, add that as well, and give them a definite time to send the information.” When his secretary finished writing more notes, he said, “I’d also like you to keep a calendar for me and apprise my valet of my commitments.”
“Very good, my lord.” Cunningham glanced up. “When do you anticipate taking your seat in the Lords?”
Alex kept his smile to himself. That was the real reason the man had wanted to become a secretary to a peer. To become involved in politics. “As soon as the writ of summons is arranged.” He saw the eagerness on his secretary’s face. “I shall probably require help in drafting speeches and other things.”
Cunningham broke out into a smile. “I would be more than happy to assist.”
Alex left the room and was sitting at his desk with yet another journal in front of him when he realized that if he married Dorie, she too would wish to be involved. He’d cross that bridge when he came to it.
That evening, Alex set off in his town coach for Almack’s. He told his coachman to come back in four hours. If he wished to leave before then he would either walk or take a hackney.
Upon entering the so-called hallowed halls of the ton he showed his voucher to the doorkeeper, a distinguished-looking man dressed like a butler. “Good evening, my lord. We are glad to see you.”
This was the last place he wanted to be, but he couldn’t very well say that. “It is my pleasure to be here.”
A country dance was in progress when he entered the assembly room. He immediately spotted Dorie dancing with Viscount Bottomley. Looking along the sides of the room Alex located Lady Huntingdon and started making his way toward her only to be stopped along the way by people he’d forgotten he knew and some with whom he’d renewed his acquaintance.
The dance ended, and he found himself crossing paths with a young man he hadn’t met and Miss Chatham. “Miss Chatham, good evening.”
“Good evening, my lord.” She glanced at her partner. “May I introduce Lord Lancelot Somersby?”
The man inclined his head, and Alex did the same before turning back to the lady. “Is it possible you have a free set?”
She gave him a glowing look and he hoped it did not mean she was interested in him. “Yes, my lord. I have the dance after the next free.”
“I would be grateful if you would allow me to partner you.”
Lord Lancelot’s jaw dropped. What was so surprising about that? The puppy was obviously too green to be let loose on the Town. “Thank you.”
Alex bowed and, once again, started toward Dorie—who had finished the set—and her mother. By the time he arrived he felt as if he’d gone through a gauntlet. “My ladies”—he bowed over their hands—“good evening.”
“I am glad to see you came, Exeter,” Lady Huntingdon said. “I know Almack’s is considered by many gentlemen to be sadly flat.”
“I wouldn’t know, my lady.” He cleared his throat. “I have never before visited.”
She raised one brow but said nothing.
“I am glad to see you here as well,” Dorie said, smiling at him, and his chest tightened.
“Thank you.” Alex held his breath. “Do you, perchance, have a set free?”
“I do, my lord. The second waltz.” She gave him a considering look. “If you have that dance free; I saw you being stopped by several ladies.”
He should have known this was going to happen. “Several of them claimed to have been introduced to me when I was a child, or before I left for the Continent, but having no recollection of the events, I could not accept an offer to dance without being properly introduced.”
Dorie’s eyes danced, and her mother snorted delicately.
“Very proper, I’m sure, Exeter.” The feather in Lady Huntingdon’s turban shook. “I shall make a point of remedying that p
roblem.” She looked to her left and back again. “Dorie, here is Lord Fotheringale to waltz with you.”
Alex did his utmost to stop from scowling. “If you will excuse me for a bit.”
He strolled the edges of the room until it was time for his set with Miss Chatham. As before, she danced well, but as he escorted her to her mother, her fingers tightened on his arm.
“Is something the matter?”
A line formed between her eyes. “I should not say this, however, I do not wish to dance with Lord Lytton, but my mama will make me as I have one set left.”
“Not any longer.” Alex would do a great deal to thwart Lytton. If the rest of the ton knew what Alex did, the man wouldn’t be received. Standing up with Miss Chatham would be no problem at all. “Which set is it?”
She raised beseeching blue eyes to his. “The supper dance.”
Thank God she had not mentioned the set he had with Dorie. “It would be my pleasure to dance with you, Miss Chatham.”
“Thank you, my lord.” She gave him a relieved smile while Alex prepared to have some fun.
When they reached her mother, his lordship bowed. “Miss Chatham, I believe you have a dance free.”
“And I believe you are incorrect.” Alex smiled at the lady. “She had given her last set to me.”
He could almost feel the animosity radiate from Lytton’s masklike countenance. He looked at Miss Chatham. “Then a ride in the Park tomorrow.”
It might help if the man actually asked a question instead of presuming. “You are not having any luck at all this evening.” Alex drawled. “She has also agreed to accompany me on a ride tomorrow. Do you care to ask for another time?”
“Not at the moment.” Lytton bit off the words. “Perhaps later.”
“Not if I’m around,” Alex muttered under his breath. “Miss Chatham. I shall see you again soon.”
She curtseyed prettily. “Thank you, my lord.”
“It is a pleasure.” Lytton was a pompous commoner.
Dorie watched as Lord Exeter said something to Lord Lytton, making his jaw clench before the polite mask he habitually wore was once again in place. She wished she had been there to hear the exchange. Lytton’s very good opinion of himself was one that few others shared. If he was attempting to dance with Miss Chatham, Dorie was happy that Lord Exeter had aided the lady. She would have to ask him what had gone on when she danced with him. Yet when he took her in his arms for the waltz, she almost forgot. She had never danced with a gentleman who guided her around the floor as if she were as light as a feather. Their every move seemed to come without thought.
At the end of one twirl, he smiled down at her. He really was quite tall. Not too tall, but just the right height. “I do not think there is another lady who dances as well as you do, my lady.”
“I was just thinking the same then about you, my lord.” Holding their hands up, they skipped around in a circle. “What did you do to anger Lord Lytton?”
“I prevented him from dancing with Miss Chatham and taking her for a carriage ride.”
For no good reason Dorie could see, her good mood sank a bit. Still, he had done a very good deed. “I am glad you did. He is an unpleasant man.”
“He has only got worse since we were boys.” Lord Exeter’s strong dark brows drew closer together. “Has he bothered you?”
“He would not dare. My brother warned him away when I made my come out last year.” Lord Exeter seemed relieved. Had he decided to save every lady from Lytton?
“I am glad of it.” His tone was harder than she had heard it before. “I would not wish to see you forced to suffer his presence.”
“That appears to be the prevailing attitude among my friend’s brothers who know him.” Poor Augusta had had to stand up with the earl because neither her sister nor brother-in-law knew the man, except for Lytton’s politics. “I understand my father is sponsoring you in the Lords.”
“Yes, we are waiting for the writ of summons to be issued.” Lord Exeter looked pleased about that. “I must put my life in order as soon as possible.”
There was one thing she thought was very odd. “Have any of your father’s friends approached you?”
He raised one brow. “Yes. On the day after we were at the theater. However, the less said about that the better.”
Dorie wondered if it had something to do with his mother, but gentlemen were not usually as strict in their morals as the ladies. On the other hand, most of those gentlemen were married. “I suppose it is all to the good. My father enjoys sponsoring young peers.”
Lord Exeter’s green eyes twinkled. “Especially when he can sway someone to his side?”
“That always helps.” She smiled at him. He really was much different than she had originally thought.
“I am glad he has taken the task upon himself. I feel comfortable with him.” They executed another series of turns before the music ended, and he escorted her to her mother.
Dorie curtseyed. “Thank you for the dance, my lord.”
Lord Exeter bowed. “It was my pleasure, my lady. Have a pleasant evening.”
Fortunately, on the way back to her mother, Prisca Osman and her partner were near enough for Dorie to introduce him to her. “Miss Osman.”
She stopped and turned. “Lady Dorie. It is good to see you.”
“I would like to present Lord Exeter. He has recently returned to England. My lord, Miss Osman.”
“I am delighted to meet you.” The smile on her lips was more than merely polite. “May I introduce my cousin Sir Randolph Osman?”
“I am pleased to meet both of you.” Exeter bowed, but he seemed a little stiff. “Miss Osman, do you have a dance free?”
“I am sorry, my lord, but I do not. Perhaps next time.”
“I look forward to it.” Beneath her fingers, his arm became more relaxed. Had he not wished to dance with the lady? “Good evening.”
Dorie and Lord Exeter made their way to her mother. He stayed for a few minutes before taking himself off.
“How was your set with Exeter?” her mother asked.
“Excellent. He is quite a talented dancer.” She watched as he was caught by Princess Esterházy and introduced to a young lady. No doubt he would soon meet the right lady for him. Still, Dorie did not like leaving things to chance.
Lord Ailesbury came to claim his dance, and they strolled to the dance floor. He had been on her list of possible husbands until Caro had told her he was not in the market for a wife. Lord Fotheringale smiled and bowed as Dorie passed him. He really was a very nice gentleman. Surely if she tried harder she could feel more for him.
Before long it was time for the supper dance and Lord Fotheringale bowed to her. “My lady, shall we?”
His lordship danced well, but the feeling of floating was not there as it had been with Lord Exeter. Still, Dorie could not hold that against Fotheringale. Not many gentlemen could match Lord Exeter’s grace on the dance floor. “Excellent weather we are having.”
“It is. I hope it lasts for another few weeks.” Lord Fotheringale was quiet for several moments before saying. “I enjoy standing up with you, my lady.”
“Thank you, my lord.” She wondered if he was out of sorts. His conversation was not usually so stilted. “What do you think of the Duke of Kent’s marriage?”
“I wish them success in attempting to secure the succession.” Fotheringale’s voice held a tone of disgust. “They have left it long enough.”
“I agree with you. All of them should have married much earlier.” In fact, Dorie had often wondered why the king had not done more to encourage his sons to marry and produce heirs. Simply looking at the peerage one could see that having more than one potential heir was important. As they made a turn, she noticed Lord Exeter and Miss Chatham smiling at each other. If he chose her as his wife, he would need to learn all he c
ould about his estates in a short period of time. She was not sure anyone could do so that quickly. Dorie would keep an eye of the progress of that courtship. At the same time, she would continue to think of ladies to whom she could introduce him. The right mate for him could not be too hard to find. Although, she was positive it was not Miss Chatham.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Alex was not pleased to see Dorie dancing with Fotheringale for the supper dance, but he kept his scowl at bay and devoted himself to Miss Chatham’s entertainment. “I am pleased to have been able to aid you.”
“And I thank you, my lord. I will have to think of a more permanent solution until…” She bit down on her lip.
“Until?” He raised a brow. For the first time he thought something else might be going on with the lady.
She gave him another beseeching look. “Do you know Lord Dursley?”
“I do. The ton is a very small world. Many of the gentlemen related to the peerage have attended the same schools.” Alex had come across the man on the Continent as well.
“Yes, well.” Color rose in Miss Chatham’s cheeks. “We have an understanding. His father wanted him to see some of the world and sent him on a Grand Tour the summer before last. We were concerned about me making my come out, and I managed, thanks to my younger brother contracting the measles, to avoid doing so last Season.” She took in a breath and let it out. “This year I was not so lucky. Papa insisted I come to Town. I did as Tom, er, Dursley instructed me to do and sent a letter to his sister asking him to come home, but I have heard nothing and he has not come home.”
“I take it your father is promoting Lytton’s suit?” Though how any man could want Lytton as a son-in-law, Alex couldn’t comprehend.
Her brows puckered. “I am the eldest and I have four sisters younger than me.”
“Ah.” Now it all made sense. He thought back to the conversations he’d had with Dursley, and recalled that he had mentioned a lady he planned to wed. “I do not wish to distress you, but I saw him before I left Portugal, and he had obviously not received your missive.”
