The Marquis She's Been Waiting For

by Ella Quinn

  “You always were a master at maneuvering around Polite Society, my love.” Hugh brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Now we just need to set the second step into motion.”

  And that, Sally thought, was the tricky part.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Dorie was walking with her friends in the Park when she once again saw Lord Exeter squiring Miss Chatham.

  “It appears as if there is a match in the making,” Henrietta mused.

  “It is a shame she does not have the knowledge she requires.” Georgie’s gaze followed the carriage carrying the couple. “It will be a case of the blind leading the blind.”

  Dorie dragged her eyes from the sight. “Do you know that for a fact?”

  “I do.” Georgie gave a heartfelt sigh. “I made a point of speaking with her about it. Unlike in our families, where our fathers are frequently gone and our mothers must take charge of the estates, her father is rarely from home. And she has learned nothing more than what she must to manage the household.”

  “Well, if he is in love,” Dorie mumbled more to herself than her friends.

  “He does not seem to me as if he is in love.” Trust Adeline to be the first to notice something like that.

  Dorie regarded the couple more closely. Perhaps Adeline was right. He did not have the same look on his face as her brother had when he looked at his wife.

  “Poor Miss Chatham.” Georgie shook her head slowly. “From what my sister-in-law overheard her father will marry her to the highest title.”

  “That must be the reason Lytton was always around her.” Adeline suddenly smiled. “Fortunately, that has stopped since Lord Exeter began to court Miss Chatham.”

  “Do you think he has made an offer?” The idea should not have bothered Dorie. After all, she planned to wed Fotheringale, yet it did.

  Adeline shrugged. “I have no idea, but if I were her parents, I would be expecting him to declare himself in the not too distant future.”

  Dorie had no idea it was as far along as that. It had only been two or three weeks since he had been showing the lady attention. She had been thinking about Fotheringale for much longer than that without coming to any conclusion at all. Again, a strange sense of dissatisfaction filled her. It was probably only her concern that neither of them knew how to manage an estate. There must be something she could do to remedy the situation. Yet she could not very well offer to tutor Lord Exeter. Unless he requested her assistance…but even though he was in and out of her house looking for books, he had not come close to asking her to teach him.

  The problem occupied her mind the rest of the way around the Park. There had to be a solution but what?

  “What has you blue-deviled?” Henrietta asked as they strolled toward their homes. “It is not Miss Chatham and Lord Exeter, is it?” She raised a brow. “Are you interested in him after all?”

  “No. I mean, not in that way. I simply wish…well, I wish there was something I could do to help them.” She frowned at Henrietta’s look of amazement. “Adeline is correct. They are like two babes in the woods.”

  “Lord Exeter does not strike me as a stupid man,” Henrietta said.

  “No, he is not. Still, it takes most gentlemen years to learn what he must in a matter of months.” If his father was still alive she would give him a piece of her mind.

  “Surely it is not that desperate a case,” her friend said.

  She thought about her correspondence with Mr. Hatcher, the head tenant at Longwood. Given half a chance, the man would usurp Lord Exeter’s authority with the other tenants. “I believe it is. And not only must he learn about his estate, he must find a better governess for his sisters.”

  “Now that I think about it, you are correct.” Henrietta nodded. “I cannot think that a wife who is as green as Miss Chatham will do for him at all.”

  Yet, if Adeline was wrong, and he was falling in love with Miss Chatham then …Dorie would simply have to find out for herself. Yet her friend was right. Miss Chatham was not the right match for Lord Exeter. Dorie would continue to introduce him to other ladies. She couldn’t help sighing. She might have to look around for a gentleman for Miss Chatham as well.

  Henrietta and Dorie parted, and she strolled up steps to her father’s house. The door opened, and she gave her bonnet and gloves to the footman. “Do you know where my mother is?”

  “I believe she is still in her parlor, my lady. Lord and Lady Huntley brought the baby over.”

  That would put Mama into a good mood. “Are they still here?”

  “No, my lady. They left not a quarter of an hour ago.”

  Dorie would have liked to have seen her nephew, but she wanted to talk with her mother as well. She knocked on the parlor door and opened it. “I hear Giles was visiting.”

  Mama put down a sheet of paper and smiled. “He is growing so quickly, and he is learning to speak and walk so well.”

  She took up the paper and frowned at it.

  “You look like you are trying to make a decision. May I help you?”

  “Oh, I do not think you would be interested in this. I have narrowed down the list of governesses for Penelope and Phillida to two ladies, but I cannot seem to make up my mind.”

  Dorie could at least help Lord Exeter with this. She went behind the sofa and looked over her mother’s shoulder. “May I see them?”

  Her mother’s brows rose in disbelief. “If you wish.”

  Other than recommending that Lord Exeter find a new governess, it was true she had shown no interest in the process. “I might be able to see something you have not.”

  Mama gave her the curriculum vitae and Dorie read over them. “If it were my decision, I would select Miss Holliwell. She is young enough not to be unenlivening and of sufficient age to be able to exercise authority.”

  “I did wonder if she would be too young,” Mama ventured.

  “She is in her late twenties. The same age as Tilly. That is old enough to be settled, but not too old to take them about.” The girls needed someone in whom they could confide as well.

  “Yes, I see your point.” Mama gave Dorie a considering look. “I suppose I was looking at it from a different point of view. I forget that the girls do not have anyone to take them shopping or to the museums and alike.”

  “Do both the ladies understand that it is a bachelor house?” It seemed to her that would be an important consideration.

  “Tilly has spoken to both of them and explained the situation.” Mama placed the résumés on the table. “I shall make my recommendation to Exeter.” She glanced back at Dorie. “That was a very mature decision. I am proud of you.”

  She leaned down and kissed her mother’s cheek. “Thank you.”

  She turned to go, but her mother stayed her. “We are dining with Lady Fotheringale and her son on Wednesday.”

  That was a surprise. “How did this come about?”

  “I received an invitation from Lady Fotheringale,” her mother said airily.

  “Yes, of course, but…” Had he spoken to his mother about Dorie? Was she actually ready to meet his mother? She was being absurd. In the normal course of events, she would have already met her. “I shall look forward to it.”

  * * * *

  Alex returned home from his ride in the Park and, as he had for the past few days, immediately went to his office. It had been over two weeks since he’d sent the message to Dursley. Surely Alex would hear something soon. He could tell by the looks Mrs. Chatham was giving him that she expected him to make an offer soon. He raked his fingers through his hair. Someone had even had the poor taste to make a wager on it. Not to mention that he had been unable to further his case with Dorie. He had no idea what he’d do if Dursley had changed his mind about the lady.

  Cunningham greeted him with a smile and held out a letter. “This arrived from the Foreign Secretary�
�s office.”

  “Open it.” God, it had better be good news.

  His secretary broke the seal, shook the missive out, and read. “Dear Exeter, by the time you receive this, I should be within a few days of arriving in England. Both my sisters wrote me as well. I must thank you for assisting Miss Chatham and me. Your servant, Dursley.”

  Alex poured two glasses of claret and handed one to his secretary. “Good work, Cunningham.”

  The man inclined his head. “Good luck I’d say. There was a packet being readied to go out when I arrived at the Foreign Office.”

  Now he just needed to continue on until Dursley arrived. “What do I have scheduled this evening?”

  Cunningham glanced at a calendar. “There is a soirée at Lady Evesham’s house.”

  That would be a political event Alex should attend. It was almost certain neither Miss Chatham nor her parents would be there. He wanted to tell her as soon as possible that Dursley would return soon. “Any balls or the like?”

  “Mrs. Martindale is holding a ball.” Cunningham sounded dubious, and for good reason. Both the lady and her daughter had more hair than wit.

  “That will have to do. I shall stop there and hope Miss Chatham is present before going to the soirée.”

  “Good luck, my lord.”

  Alex grinned. “I have become extremely adept at avoiding people to whom I do not wish to speak.”

  A knock sounded on the door to his study and he stepped in. “My lord.” His butler bowed. “A message from Lady Huntingdon.”

  “Thank you, Coyne.” Alex took the packet and opened it. “It appears we might have a new governess soon.” Despite his instructions, Penelope had confided that she was not being given sufficient time to practice the piano or drawing. Not for the first time, he wished he knew why his mother had hired Miss Rivers.

  “I regret to say that the staff will be relieved,” Cunningham remarked.

  “Gossiping with the servants?” As the younger son of an earl, Alex couldn’t believe his secretary wouldn’t have been discouraged from being so familiar.

  A flush rose from Cunningham’s neck to his face. “No, my lord. I overheard two of the maids talking when they were cleaning your study.”

  “Indeed.” Alex had no objection to accidentally overhearing what servants said. “Do you know what their complaints are?”

  “There was nothing specific. At least not that I heard.” Cunningham rubbed his chin. “It was more in their tones of voice.”

  Alex handed the papers to his secretary. “I wish to interview the governesses as soon as possible. Tomorrow, if you can arrange it.”

  “Yes, my lord.” Cunningham inclined his head and went back to his desk. “I put the correspondence from Longwood on your desk.”

  “Thank you.” Each time Alex received a letter from his head tenant he felt as if he was being tested. Although he had to admit he was learning a great deal from researching the answers. He did wonder if Hatcher was coming up with the questions on his own, or if someone was helping him.

  He opened the missive and was pleased to see that his suggestions about red clover had been well received. Then the letter went on to mention Coke of Norfolk, Holkham Hall, and crop rotation.

  What the devil was crop rotation and how did it relate to Coke of Norfolk?

  There was only one way to find out. He poked his head into the secretary’s office. “I must go over to Huntingdon House.”

  Cunningham glanced up from writing a letter. “Thank you for telling me, my lord.”

  Calling for his hat, gloves, and cane, he walked out the door and down the street. As he approached, the door to Huntingdon House opened and the butler bowed. “His lordship has just gone out, but her ladyship is in her parlor.” He followed the servant to a small parlor. “I shall inform her you are here.” The butler turned back around. “May I inquire as to why you are visiting?”

  Alex didn’t know why the man asked. He was always here for help. “I am looking for information on crop rotation.”

  “Of course, my lord.”

  A few minutes later, Dorie appeared with a look on her face that reminded him of one of his professors at Oxford. “I understand you require information about crop rotation.”

  “Yes. If you have any books…”

  “Come with me.” She turned toward the hall, a maid following behind her, and Alex brought up the rear. “We have several tomes on the subject and notes my father and brother made when they were at Holkham Hall.”

  “Er”—he really was starting to feel more ignorant than unusual—“what exactly is Holkham Hall, and have you heard of Coke of Norfolk?”

  She stopped and turned, a wide-eyed look of astonishment on her face. “I do not know why I am surprised.” Her voice was so soft he almost didn’t hear her. “Right then, I shall explain everything.”

  He was damned tired of not knowing anything, and said in an underbreath, “It would be easier to marry someone who knew all of this.”

  Dorie dropped her eyes. “It is better that you learn how to manage your estates and raise your sisters than rely on someone else.”

  Hell and the devil confound it. He hadn’t meant her to hear that. And he damn sure did not want her to know that was one of the reasons he wished to wed her. There was nothing for it but to claim ignorance. Maybe she could be convinced that she had not heard him correctly. “I do not understand.”

  She raised her hazel gaze to his, her eyes flashing gold, and gave him a steady look. “I have been given to understand that you are looking for a wife to raise your sisters and help with your estates.”

  Blast it all. He couldn’t lie to her. It was true—except that he’d already found the woman he wanted. But who the devil told her that! “It has been suggested. Yes.” Here was his chance to tell her he wished to wed her. “I have thought that you and I—”

  “No, my lord.” The shake she gave her head was adamant. “I want a love match, and I already have someone else in mind for a husband.” Alex fought to keep his fists from clenching while a small smile tilted her lush lips. “However, I will tutor you. That way, you will be free to marry for love, not for what the lady can do.”

  He wanted to ask who the devil the man was. The idea that it might be Fotheringale piqued Alex’s ire. The man was not right for her. Then he realized what she had suggested.

  “Tutor me?” The question came out more sharply than he’d wanted, and Alex bit the inside of his cheek to keep from shouting his frustration.

  “Yes.” She glanced around. “Here if you like. You may bring your journals, accounts, and correspondence. I shall review it all with you, and you will learn how to manage your holdings.”

  Suddenly it occurred to him that this might be the perfect opportunity for him to become closer to Dorie. To convince her that she would be happy married to him instead of some other man, especially Fotheringale. Something he had planned to do by riding with her in the morning, but that had become rather hit or miss. She did not ride at the same time every day. If they were together most days it would give him time to show her what he wanted in a wife. And perhaps discover what she wanted in a husband. Though it would not be another gentleman.

  It was also much better than his scheme had been, and it was her idea. “Very well. When do you wish to begin?”

  “Tomorrow morning, after breakfast if you like.” He nodded, and her lips tilted slightly. “Your first lesson shall be on crop rotation.”

  “Thank you.” He bowed.

  She went to one of the many shelves in the library and handed him a book. “You may study this until then.”

  So much for attending Lady Evesham’s soirée. Alex glanced at the volume and gave her a wide smile. “I shall see you in the morning.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Dorie watched as Lord Exeter let himself out. He had certainly been
in the house and library enough times to feel comfortable doing so. She went to the back of the library and the shelves holding the estate management books, took several of them out, put them on a square table that had been placed there, and began formulating a lesson plan for his lordship. She wished she knew more about his estates, but asking him would give her the answer. Come to think of it, it might give him some answers as well.

  Still, her thoughts roamed to what her friend had said about him not being in love with Miss Chatham. Adeline had been correct. What surprised Dorie was that Lord Exeter truly was looking at her. Well, she could not have made it plainer that she was not considering him. But what was he doing spending so much time with Miss Chatham?

  A traitorous little thought slipped into Dorie’s brain.

  Unless he fell in love with you.

  She, of course, would have to do the same. Fall in love. Strangely, falling in love with anyone was proving to be much more difficult than she had though it would. It could not be that difficult. Her brother and his friends had done it. Even Wivenly, whom she had always thought was such a rake that he could never find a lady to love, had done it.

  Dorie blew out a puff of air. What was she doing wrong?

  She began making a list of the things she had learned about managing an estate. When she was sure the list was complete, she organized the items by type and importance. There was one area about which she had no knowledge and that was the sale of the farm goods to others. She knew some of it was kept back and stored, but the surplus was sold. She made a mental note to ask her father.

  A chill started to come over the room and she was about to call for a shawl when she heard steps and a grating sound against the fireplace.

  “It ain’t right,” one of the maids said. “Like is to like. That’s what my ma always says and that’s the way it outta be.”

  “You’re just jealous that he didn’t ask you to walk out,” a second maid said.

  So this is what maids talk about when they go about their chores. No wonder I am not supposed to gossip with them.