A slow smile dawned across Delilah’s face. “Hmm. I suppose you’re right.” She turned to Thomas. “Did your sister indicate whom she might like to marry?”
“She hoped I’d have some prospects, actually. Which is why I came in search of you two.”
“So you’re willing to admit that matchmakers do serve a purpose from time to time, eh, Huntley?” Lucy knocked her shoulder against his.
Thomas gave a long-suffering sigh. “I suppose I must admit it.”
Delilah laughed. “As much as that no doubt pained you to say, Thomas, we would be happy to help Lavinia. It’s just as well that she doesn’t already have someone picked out. As I’ve recently learned, settling on someone too early makes the entire thing much more difficult.”
“Agreed,” Lucy added with a nod. “We always do better when there are more options. But don’t let that worry you about Branville, Delilah. We’ll make an exception in that case.”
Thomas shook his head.
Lucy rocked back and forth on her heels. “It looks as if we’re to have a busy month, Delilah. We must produce a play and make three matches.”
“Three?” Thomas echoed.
Lucy nodded. “One for Delilah, one for Lavinia, and one for Lady Emmaline, if we’re to get her out of our hair.”
“Excellent.” Delilah clapped her hands. “Let’s get started immediately.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Thomas slid into a chair at the Curious Goat Inn. He ordered a mug of ale for himself as well as one for his brother-in-law, Owen Monroe, the Earl of Moreland. Monroe hadn’t arrived yet, but Thomas expected him at any minute.
When the barmaid returned with the drinks, Thomas took a large quaff of his and leaned back in his seat. It had been two days since he’d learned of Delilah’s plans to wring an offer out of the Duke of Branville, and it still rankled him. Ladies could be downright … maddening. First, Lavinia had ordered him to find her a husband, a nearly impossible feat. Then Delilah had announced her intention to marry the Duke of Branville, of all bloody people. What had been a reasonably quiet Season, with only the production of a play to break up the monotony, had turned into a mess. One upon which he would have to get to work immediately to sort out. He took another large quaff from his mug.
Delilah. She was headstrong. She was willful. She was obstinate. Echoing her mother’s words, she called herself loud, but the way he saw it, she was exuberant and full of life. She was playful and happy (when she wasn’t around her mother). She was funny and fun, and he could always count on her to cheer him up and make him laugh. He’d known the day would come when the reality of their positions in life would catch up to them, and they’d both be expected to marry. But the years had passed in such a simple, easy rhythm. He’d been worried during her first Season that she’d immediately find a husband. But as soon as the Season began, it became clear that she enjoyed making matches for other people so much that she didn’t spare a thought to her own. And so it had gone for the last five years.
He couldn’t blame Delilah’s mother for wanting her daughter to marry. Lord knew he had plenty of other things to blame the woman for. For instance, he certainly could blame her for frightening her daughter so much that she’d been forced into naming the Duke of Branville as the man from whom she intended to secure an offer. Very well. Perhaps forced wasn’t the correct word, exactly, but Delilah had always wanted her mother’s approval, and apparently she was willing to go to extreme lengths to finally get it. It made him sad for Delilah. It made him angry with her awful mother. And it made him apprehensive for himself.
“Afternoon, Huntley.”
Thomas glanced up to see Moreland grinning at him. The earl slid into the seat across from him and pulled his mug of ale close.
“Good to see you, Moreland,” Thomas replied.
“My apologies for being late. Alex asked me to deliver more decorations for the play to Claringdon’s house. She’s so upset that she cannot be in the performance due to her condition that she’s gone quite mad making as many of the decorations on Lucy’s list as possible.”
Thomas cracked a grin. “Tell her she should be glad she’s with child and unable to participate. Jane Upton is quite the taskmaster when it comes to rehearsals.”
Moreland’s bark of laughter shot across the room. “Yes, well, I managed to get out of acting in the play, but thanks to my wife, I’m quite heavily involved in carting the decorations all over London. Let it be a lesson to you, Huntley.” Moreland took a large draught of ale. “When you marry, you are obliged to do such things.”
“Ah, but you’re forgetting. I’ve been carrying decorations too, and I’m not married,” Thomas pointed out. “Not to mention, Delilah cast me as Demetrius.”
Moreland sighed and lifted his mug in a silent salute. “I suppose you’re right. That’s what you get for having a lady as a best friend.”
Thomas laughed aloud at that.
Moreland shook his head. “You fell into step with Delilah Montebank and Lucy Hunt at an early age. There’s no way to extract yourself now. Those two ladies are more domineering than all the others combined.”
Thomas nodded and laughed again. “Yes, well. I don’t know much different. I grew up with two older sisters. I suppose I’m used to domineering women.”
Moreland laughed and took another draught. “I wouldn’t say Alex is domineering. Lavinia certainly is, though, that’s for certain. As for Delilah and Lucy, you may be friends, but watch yourself. They are known for fancying themselves the best matchmakers in the ton. How you’ve managed to escape their machinations with a dukedom, I’ll never know.”
Thomas thoughtfully stroked the handle of his mug. “I’ve been clear with them for several years now that I’m not yet interested in taking a bride,” Thomas said firmly. “I like to tell them I’d rather give up all the brandy in London than commit to one person for life.”
Moreland arched a brow. “And that does the trick?”
“So far. At the moment, they’re preoccupied with Delilah’s prospects. Seems the matchmaker has finally decided to make her own match.”
“God’s sake,” Moreland muttered. “I must warn my bachelor friends. With those two on the loose this Season, no eligible man is safe.”
Thomas took another draught of ale. “Not to worry. They’ve already picked the man.”
Moreland’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? Who’s the lucky chap?”
Thomas took another drink. “The Duke of Branville.”
Moreland leaned back in his chair and contemplated the news for a moment. “Branville, eh? That’s a lofty goal, even for those two. I hear he’s got scores of mamas after him day and night.”
“No doubt that’s true. And it’s part of the reason why I asked you to meet me here.”
Moreland leaned forward again, his brow wrinkled. “Because of Branville?”
Thomas traced his finger along the cracked surface of the wooden table. “Partially. At some point, I may need your help. You and the other men. But you mustn’t tell the ladies.”
Moreland’s brow furrowed deeper. “What? Why not?”
“Because the women are terrible gossips, and they’ll tell Delilah.”
“A secret, eh?” Moreland took another swig from his mug. “I can tell Alex, can’t I? I don’t keep secrets from my wife.”
Thomas scratched his chin and contemplated the question for a moment. “I’ll tell her when the time’s right. Al can keep a secret. I know that.”
“Very well. I’m game. What’s the secret?” Moreland asked.
Thomas leaned back in his seat and crossed his booted feet at the ankles. “After spending all these years matchmaking her friends, Delilah is ready to take a husband.”
“She’s been Lucy’s disciple for quite a while now. From what I understand, she’s made some excellent matches too.”
The barmaid returned, and Thomas ordered a second mug of ale. He was finally ready to tell this secret. The one he’d kept all these years
. “Delilah hasn’t seemed interested in making her own match. Until now.”
Moreland shrugged. “Suppose it was bound to happen eventually.”
Thomas nodded. “Yes, and her mother has demanded it. I’ve been waiting for this day. But also dreading it.”
A half-smile touched Moreland’s lips. “Worried that your friend will make the wrong match, Huntley?”
“Yes.” Thomas met his brother-in-law’s stare. “Because I want her to pick me.”
CHAPTER FIVE
That same afternoon, Delilah sat on the settee in the middle of Lucy Hunt’s drawing room. Lucy was there, of course, along with her closest friends, Cassandra and Jane. The three women sat around Delilah in a semicircle.
“Ladies,” Lucy began, settling her clasped hands into her lap, “the issue at hand is most serious. I’ve gathered you here today for what is certain to be our most important matchmaking session in years.”
“Delilah’s getting married?” Cass exclaimed, a wide, dreamlike smile on her pretty face.
Jane poked her nose out of her ever-present book and took another teacake from the plate that rested on the table in front of them. The countess was slightly plump, with dark brown hair and eyes and silver-rimmed spectacles atop her nose. She had a biting wit and was rarely without a book in one hand and a teacake in the other. “I suppose we all must succumb at some point.”
“That is not a particularly helpful comment, Janie,” Lucy replied, her lips pursed.
Jane shrugged, stuck her nose back into her book, and continued munching on her teacake.
Lucy cleared her throat. “Now, our lovely, delightful Delilah here has finally decided to focus on her own match.”
“Because Mother is at her wits’ end with me,” Delilah interjected with a nod.
“For whatever reason,” Lucy continued, her nose in the air, “our lovely, delightful Delilah here has set her sights on the most eligible bachelor of the Season.”
Cass gasped and placed hand to her breast. “The Duke of Branville!”
“One and the same,” Lucy replied, smiling at Cass.
“I thought you were going to say Huntley,” Jane interjected, not looking up from her book.
Delilah scrunched up her nose. “No. No. Branville is who I’m after. And it won’t be an easy feat. I will need all of your help.”
Jane pulled the book down low enough to eye Delilah over the top of it. “Do you love him?”
“Branville?” Delilah breathed.
“Yes, Branville,” Jane replied. “Isn’t that who we’re speaking of?”
Delilah opened her mouth to answer and then blinked. Love? The Duke of Branville? She didn’t even know him, and she only knew a bit about him. He was handsome and rich. He was eligible. Wasn’t that enough? She might not be madly in love with the man, but that hadn’t stopped anyone from marrying before. The fact was, she wasn’t madly in love with anyone. Love simply hadn’t seen fit to barrel her over as it had some of her friends. She could get to know the Duke of Branville. She would see if he was someone she could spend her life with. But even if they didn’t suit, she would wring an offer from him. She might be forced to turn him down, but she would get an offer if it was the last thing she did.
“No, I cannot say I love him,” she finally admitted, clearing her throat.
“That’s beside the point,” Lucy announced, glaring at Jane. “We merely want to provide her with the chance to meet him and spend time with him.”
“Oh, is that all? So you aren’t hoping for a proposal?” Jane clarified.
“I definitely want a proposal,” Delilah replied. “I suppose I’m hoping we suit.” There. That was good enough, wasn’t it?
“What about Lady Emmaline?” Cass asked, obviously trying to change the subject from Jane’s uncomfortably direct line of questioning.
“We’ve already discussed it,” Lucy said. “Lady Emmaline is—”
“Gorgeous,” Delilah pointed out.
Lucy shook her head. “She’s—”
“Accomplished,” Delilah continued.
Lucy crossed her arms over her chest. “She’s—”
“Demure,” Delilah said.
“Stop it.” Lucy touched her hand to Delilah’s arm. “Being gorgeous, accomplished, and demure are highly overrated.”
“No, they’re not,” Delilah replied, sliding lower in her chair. “Oh, why is my mouth always so quick to say things before my brain catches up? If only I hadn’t promised Mother I would secure a match with Branville, of all people.”
“You’ve as good a chance with Branville as Lady Emmaline does,” Lucy continued. “You merely need the opportunity for him to get to know you. Then, I’ve no doubt he will come to see your many qualities and love you as we all do.”
Cass and Jane murmured their agreement.
“We also have another task,” Lucy announced, straightening her shoulders. “One that may prove even more difficult.”
Cass and Jane turned their attention to Lucy.
“More difficult?” Jane asked, raising her eyebrows.
“Yes.” Lucy looked at Cass first, then Jane. “Thomas asked us to find a husband for … Lavinia.”
“Lavinia?” Cass breathed, her mouth forming a wide O. She pressed a palm to her cheek.
“Lavinia Hobbs?” Jane’s voice raised a good octave. She snapped her book shut and sat up straight. “Now that’s a feat I’d pay to see. I daresay that will be more entertaining than the play.”
“Stop it, Jane.” Lucy leaned forward to reach for the teapot and pour herself another cup. “Thomas has asked for our help, and Delilah and I intend to help him.”
“How in heaven’s name do you think you can find a husband for Lavinia?” Jane asked, hugging her book to her chest.
“As our cook used to say, there is a lid for every pot,” Lucy replied, studiously avoiding everyone’s eyes. “Lavinia is lovely and rich. There’s bound to be someone who’ll want to marry her.”
Delilah took a sip of tea. “I’ve been thinking about it, Lucy. We should invite Lavinia to join us in the play.”
The room went silent. Cass’s jaw fell open. Jane’s eyebrows shot up. Lucy scrunched up her nose and narrowed her eyes, before saying, “I’m not certain Alex will approve, dear. They may be sisters, but you know those two only speak when they must.”
“But Alex cannot be in the production, so she won’t even have to see Lavinia,” Delilah replied. “I’ll discuss it with Alex. I’m certain she’ll understand once I tell her how Lavinia threatened Thomas.”
“Wait a moment,” Cass interjected, blinking rapidly. “Lavinia threatened Thomas?”
“Yes,” Delilah replied, shaking her head. “She told him she’d make his life difficult if she’s not paired off this Season.”
“That woman is frightening,” Cass breathed, shuddering slightly.
“She certainly is,” Delilah replied, raising her teacup to her lips again.
“Very well,” Lucy said. “It’s agreed. Delilah, you speak to Alex, and we’ll invite Lavinia to the rehearsals to attempt to get to know her better. Perhaps she’ll take a fancy to one of the bachelors in the play.”
Jane grimaced. “God help the bachelors in the play.”
“Wait a moment.” Lucy tapped her cheek. “I may have the perfect gentleman for Lavinia.”
“Who?” Cass asked, her cornflower-blue eyes round as saucers.
Lucy set her teacup on the table in front of her. “Do you remember Lord Stanley?”
“Stanley?” Jane narrowed her eyes in thought.
Lucy nodded, clearly warming to her subject. “Yes, a bit older. Nearly forty. He’s good-looking, wealthy, from a decent family.”
“Viscount, isn’t he?” Cass asked.
“Yes, and a widower,” Lucy added.
“I think I remember him,” Delilah said.
Lucy dropped another lump of sugar into her teacup and picked it up again. “He’s a good-natured chap, and one I don’t thin
k would allow Lavinia to run roughshod over him. He’s the right age and comes from a good family.”
“I suppose you know him,” Jane said with resigned sigh.
“But of course. I know everyone,” Lucy replied with a wink. “I intend to write him a note this afternoon, asking him to join us for the play as well.”
“Do you think he’ll say yes?” Delilah asked.
“Of course. Especially if I heavily imply that I may have a lady to introduce him to.”
“Very well.” Cass smoothed her hands over her skirts. “That may take care of Lavinia if we’re fortunate, but what about Delilah and the Lady Emmaline problem?”
A catlike smile spread slowly across Lucy’s face. “I’ve given that quite a bit of thought.”
“And?” Jane leaned forward to grab another teacake.
“And … the Duke of Branville is not the only fox in the forest. We can present Lady Emmaline with a worthy alternative.”
“Like who?” Delilah cocked her head to the side as she stared at Lucy.
The smile on Lucy’s face widened. “Like our dear, beloved Thomas. He’s a handsome, rich duke too, isn’t he?”
CHAPTER SIX
“What exactly did your mother say when you told her you intended to secure an offer from the Duke of Branville?” Thomas asked Delilah later that week as they sat on a bench in front of a table in Berkeley Square, enjoying an ice from Gunter’s.
Gunter’s was one of the few places they could go to together without causing a scandal. An unmarried lady and an unmarried gentleman going about started gossip. It was ludicrous that they were only allowed out alone in certain places. Of course, Delilah’s maid, Amandine, dutifully waited in the coach along with the coachman and the groomsmen, while Delilah and Thomas enjoyed their treats.
“At first she seemed amused by it. Later, she told me I was mad,” Delilah said with a chuckle.
“Mad?” Thomas echoed. “She actually used the word mad?”
No Other Duke But You--A Playful Brides Novel Page 4
