Too Many Matchmakers

by Allison Lane

  “So you have not lost your temper with George?”

  “Never. I have been perfectly behaved – even more than usual. But he cares not. All he wants from me is an heir. He even had the audacity to tell me not to make any changes to his household because my taste is appalling. His housekeeper knows what he likes, so I’m to leave her alone and not meddle. And I am not to make a scandal by flaunting my views about the neighborhood. To make sure I don’t embarrass him, I will not leave the estate without his escort. It will be like living in a prison!”

  Diana sighed. George did not sound any more enthusiastic about this match than Chloe. “What prompted those comments?”

  “He had escorted us to Lady Stafford’s at-home, where I admired her drawing room.”

  Lady Stafford was a very proper matron with impeccable taste. She had redecorated the room several years earlier in what was now being called the Regency style. It was restrained, elegant, and universally admired, unlike the flamboyant Egyptian decor used by Lady Debenham or the spare Greek designs to be found at Mrs. Bassington’s.

  But George’s comments might mean nothing. Perhaps Chloe had misinterpreted his intent. Or perhaps he had been deflecting any possibility of redecorating his house. That was not an uncommon expectation for new wives, but many men balked at change – or at the cost.

  Chloe gave her no chance to pose that question. “I won’t marry him,” she stated firmly. “I love Charles.”

  “What?”

  “I love Charles.”

  “Langley?” She froze in shock.

  Chloe nodded. “He shares my interests, my hopes, my dreams. He would never force me to be something I am not. And he loves me.”

  “He has admitted that?” She knew that they had spoken on several occasions, but this seemed suspiciously sudden. And quite improper. Nicholas’s warnings echoed. She should never have believed Langley’s denials.

  “Yes. Oh, Diana, he is so wonderful. He understands my need for adventure. He shares my interest in faraway places. He doesn’t care whether I can stitch elaborate tapestries or rival Catalini’s voice.” Lady Parker had long demanded that Chloe master every possible female accomplishment. “I have to see more of the world, Diana. Do you realize that this trip to London is the farthest I’ve ever been from home? Even school was only a two-hour drive. Mama chose one nearby so she could keep a close eye on the headmistress and make sure I wasn’t learning anything that she disapproved of.”

  “I know.”

  “Charles understands me even better than you do. He wants to marry me.”

  Diana fought down a wave of dizziness. “He actually discussed marriage with a girl already promised to another?”

  “Don’t sound so prim and proper. He knows that I had no say in this betrothal. He is sure to get a position with the East India Company. We will elope and wed at sea.”

  “And how will his superiors react? Have either of you considered that? He has a reputation as a profligate rakehell. That has to be affecting his negotiations with them. The East India Company does not tolerate scandal.”

  Chloe’s face fell. “They would likely disown him.”

  “Exactly. Eloping will leave him with no means of support – and I doubt your parents would give you a dowry after such an escapade.”

  Chloe sighed. “He knows that – which is why I spoke to my parents. My next step will be talking to George. Eloping is the last alternative.”

  “But it will ruin you both.”

  “Then what am I to do? I cannot marry George.”

  “I will talk to your parents. Perhaps I can convince them to reconsider the match. Since the wedding itself is to be a small country affair with only the family in attendance, they could quietly drop it. But you need to be honest with yourself. Charles has dazzled you – in part because he is offering you excitement and the fulfillment of a dream. But many dreams prove to be painfully sordid in execution. Have you considered the discomfort, the primitive conditions, and the disrespect you would receive as an outsider? Have you truly listened to those who have been to India? They describe enervating heat, debilitating disease, and the ever-present threat of violence from native populations that despise everything English. That is not the stuff of which dreams are made.”

  “Yes, I have listened. I know that travel is not all wonder and excitement. But it is what I want.”

  Diana sighed. “At least make an honest effort to like George. Grab every opportunity this week to spend time with him. Demonstrate that you are trying to accept the situation. If you can prove that you’ve done everything possible to like him, but still cannot bring yourself to do so, they may be more receptive. He is here, I presume.”

  Chloe nodded. “But I had hoped to avoid him. I would rather talk to Charles.”

  “He is also here?” She could not hide her surprise, for with his reputation, she had not expected to find him on the guest list. She had trouble imagining him in the same circle as the propriety-conscious Harrisons.

  “His parents are close friends of the Harrisons. They insisted he be invited because they are trying to force him into marriage with Lady Sophia. Their ultimatum is what pushed him into approaching the East India Company.”

  “Avoid him this week, Chloe,” she warned sharply, almost groaning at the image of yet more matchmaking parents. Who, in his right mind, would imagine that Langley and Lady Sophia might suit? “I will explain your predicament to him. If your parents think you harbor a tendre for him, they will fetch that special license and have you in church in a trice. His reputation is wild enough that they will suspect him of attempted seduction. Immediately wedding you to George would protect your reputation.” And they wouldn’t be far wrong, she reminded herself. Langley’s actions were indeed suspect. Was he using Chloe to escape his parents’ pressure? Away from his mind-numbing charm, she had trouble believing his claims – one of which was already revealed as a lie.

  Chloe groaned. “Very well. Talk to him. And speak with my parents. I will pretend to like George, but I will not wed him. We’ll take our chances with eloping if you can find no alternative.”

  “Maybe you can discover what caused the rift between George and his parents. If we can mend that, they might be more receptive to ending this betrothal.”

  Diana waited until Chloe was gone before dropping her head into her hands. What a mess! Chloe was showing more backbone than usual. The girl had always accepted whatever her parents suggested. The very threat of an unpleasant confrontation was usually enough to force compliance.

  Which proved that she felt very strongly about Langley. Diana could not yet decide if it was love or merely infatuation intensified by an opportunity to live her fantasies instead of settling down, but it was powerful enough to fuel rebellion.

  Langley’s feelings were even harder to gauge. Their earlier discussion had suggested that he was more responsible than she had thought. Now she had to wonder. Though he was nearly her own age, his actions were imprudent at best and downright juvenile in some respects.

  He had flirted with a girl already betrothed to another, drawing her into compromising situations – she had spotted them walking in dark gardens twice – and introducing topics that were far out of line. And how could he suggest eloping, knowing it would sever their ties to the only society Chloe knew and endanger the career he expected to support them?

  But sitting in her room would accomplish nothing. Smoothing her gown, she headed downstairs to find him.

  “I’ve just spoken with Chloe,” she said bluntly, having run him to ground in the bookroom. “How can you seriously suggest eloping?”

  Shock flared in his eyes, but he quickly controlled it. “I had not realized how deeply you were in her confidence.”

  “We are closer than most sisters. I will not stand by and see her hurt – which is something you swore you’d never do.”

  “I love her.” He glared at her, but relaxed when she did not contradict him. “I never planned on this, Lady Bounty. But I
cannot ignore it.”

  “What a mess.” She took a turn about the room.

  “Are you going to tell her parents?”

  “That depends on whether you are stupid enough to actually try it. Have you any idea of the effect of such a scandal?”

  “Yes,” he growled, running his hands through his hair as he paced the other way. “But if that is our only choice, we’ll do it. You must know her situation. The Parkers are adamant. They will not change course now that the betrothal is public. Nor will they admit that Chloe shares none of their interests. Eloping is far from ideal, but I will not give her up. And frankly, I hope it won’t come to that.”

  “Did you expect her to succeed in her confrontation?”

  “What confrontation?”

  By the time she finished recounting Chloe’s actions, he had dropped into a chair with his head in his hands.

  “Damn! Damn! DAMN!” He grimaced. “Pardon the language, but she just made a bad situation worse. If I’d suspected her plans, I would have stopped her.”

  “You understand their character.” It was not a question.

  He nodded anyway. “I had hoped that an elopement would blackmail them into supporting the match.”

  “Your wits are addled. They are far too proper to ignore society’s censure.”

  “I wasn’t planning on making it public.”

  She pursed her lips. “Just what do you have in mind?”

  “A very quiet false elopement. We would notify them of our intentions, but no one else. I can prevent Lord Parker from catching us until morning. Eastbrook is too proper to accept a soiled wife, which would leave marriage to me as the only way to retain Chloe’s respectability. The wedding would cause talk, but our immediate departure would quiet most of it. Eastbrook would never reveal the elopement, to retain his own credit if for no other reason.”

  “You’ve thought it out, I see, though there is no guarantee that it would work. You do not know the Parkers and Weymouths as well as I do. They are more apt to immediately force Chloe and George to the altar. Appearances are all that matter to any of them, so Chloe’s feelings and George’s wouldn’t count. A rift exists between George and his family. A promise to mend it would exert considerable pressure if he balked.”

  Charles grimaced.

  “If you truly love her, give me a chance to change their minds about George.”

  “Considering what you’ve just said, I can’t imagine that anything you could do would make a difference.”

  “Possibly not, but if I make the effort, then you will know that your scheme is truly the last resort, though I suspect you will need a bona fide marriage to succeed. They could save face by performing a second ceremony in church, thus hiding the first. But stay away from her this week. If her parents think you are sniffing around her, they will have her wed so fast your head will spin.”

  “How can I remain aloof?” he demanded in irritation.

  “Really, Langley! You know very well how you’ve treated marriageable misses in the past. You look right through them, and if you are ever forced to actually greet one, your voice could freeze water. Treat Chloe the same way you treat Lady Sophia. If leaving her alone chafes too badly, come complain to me. If the Parkers believe you are courting my fortune, they won’t fear that you might harm Chloe.”

  He immediately took offense at the implication, but she ignored him.

  “Your reputation will hardly endear you to parents of a young innocent,” she reminded him brutally. “Especially to propriety-conscious high-sticklers like the Parkers. Some people don’t even condone sowing wild oats before settling down. And frankly, your image long ago passed wild oats. Never mind whether it’s true,” she added, stopping his protest with a raised hand. “These people care for nothing beyond appearances.”

  “You are right, of course,” he agreed on a long sigh. “How could they produce such an adventurous daughter?”

  “Reaction. They pushed Chloe into longing for freedom by hemming her in with too many restrictions. But enough of this. You will avoid her and let me try to influence her parents. She will avoid you by seeking out George and making an effort to like him. Perhaps that will prompt her parents to listen to her.”

  “I should have stayed in London,” he growled.

  “It would have been better.”

  He sighed. “Thank you for your support, Lady Bounty.”

  “Try Diana. I have a feeling we’re going to be close friends before this is over.”

  “It wouldn’t surprise me, Diana.” Lifting her hand to his lips, he bade her farewell and left.

  Before she could follow, Nicholas stepped through the door. She swayed. “I hardly expected the Harrisons to include a hardened libertine among their house guests,” she said, fighting to keep her voice steady. It was surprise that set her heart racing and made her dizzy. This was one time she was not prepared to see him.

  She fisted her hands to keep her fingers from smoothing his hair. It had a raffish look today, as though he had repeatedly run his fingers through it, which recalled that summer all too clearly.

  He sneered. “Still a naïve innocent, aren’t you? A title covers a multitude of sins, my dear.” Sarcasm dripped from every word.

  “Which is why you always lusted after one. Who would dare criticize a wealthy lord?”

  “Still annoyed with me, aren’t you?”

  “Not at all.” She shrugged. Obviously, he had wangled an invitation so he could continue his pursuit of Lady Sophia’s fortune. At least Lady Hardesty wasn’t here. “I merely know you too well.”

  “You know nothing!” His face twisted into a ferocious scowl, sending chills down her spine, but she hid any sign of trepidation.

  “Very good, my lord. You’ve added to your repertoire since Warwickshire.” She made her voice approving, even as she seethed. “Intimidation forms such a useful contrast to charm. It gives you mastery over an even larger circle of credulous fools. Too bad I no longer qualify. I do know you well, my lord. You do nothing unless it furthers your own interests. Your every action is dictated by selfishness. You went after money, because you thought money would confer power. Even when you believed you would never accede to Woodvale’s title, you toyed with ways of getting your own. Again, for power. You always expected that power would give you carte blanche, removing all public censure for your deeds. Perhaps you’ve actually reached that point – why else would Harrison invite you to his home? But I doubt success has made you happy. Such ruthless determination must have cut you off from would-be friends.” Her hand reached for the door handle. “And you still get that tic in your left eye when you’re tense.”

  Without another word, she left the bookroom, barely making it to her room before bursting into tears. Devil take him! How had he provoked that outburst? And why did she care how he passed his time? She hated him. She despised him. If he tied himself to Lady Sophia, she would laugh for the next forty years at his discomfort.

  Stupid! chided the voice, and she had to agree. So emotional an outburst put her claims of indifference to the lie.

  * * * *

  Nicholas stared at the door long after Diana had left. What had brought that on? And why did he care? She belonged to his past. Her words had not hurt. Of course not! He was merely piqued that a near-stranger would dare criticize him to his face.

  He ignored the spectral hand that squeezed his heart when he called her a stranger. And he refused to think about why she had been shut in the bookroom with Langley – or how long they had been here. Langley’s face had reflected both longing and fury when he left. And Diana had looked the same. Had an assignation ended in a spat? Langley had addressed her as Diana, making it clear that they were closer than he’d thought.

  He cursed the icy chills wracking his body. Langley was poison, preying on an unprotected heiress to fund his own debauchery. But Diana’s affairs were none of his concern, he reminded himself sharply.

  The only reason he was even thinking of her was to g
ive his nerves a chance to settle after that humiliating encounter with Lord and Lady Parker. Searching out the bookroom had been a quest for peace.

  Damn Sophia for embroiling him in her affairs!

  He had found the Parkers in a small salon shortly after his arrival. In retrospect, he must have caught them at a bad time – Miss Parker had passed him in the hallway, her face alight with fury; and the tension in the salon had been thick enough to cut. But he had not noticed, attributing the discomfort to his own nervousness. He hated intruding into affairs that were clearly none of his business.

  “I understand that Miss Parker’s betrothal is of long standing,” he had said after indulging in mutual inquiries after their health and the health of their families.

  “Was settled seventeen years ago,” confirmed Lord Parker shortly. “Good match. She’ll be a countess one day, and Eastbrook’s a steady lad. Obvious even at age ten.”

  “It is rather unusual these days for settlements to be signed so early,” he had commented gently. “Most parents wait to make sure that both principals are agreeable.”

  “Modern nonsense!” snorted Lord Parker. “Raising the bride to conform to the groom’s expectations assures a comfortable match. None of this newfangled air-dreaming for my girl. She’s always known exactly where she was going.”

  “What is your interest in the matter?” demanded Lady Parker, her eyes narrowing in speculation.

  “Mere curiosity. One rarely sees such arrangements these days, and I wondered if the participants truly approved.”

  She straightened, boldly meeting his eye. “They are in perfect accord. Chloe has been trained from birth to be his wife. George does not like argument, so she has learned never to contradict him. He prefers to live in the country, so her training has concentrated on estate duties rather than London entertaining.”

  So if Chloe had been raised to mimic George’s ideas, where had Sophia gotten the idea that the girl would make George miserable? “Yes, I can see that lifelong training can work to advantage,” he said noncommittally.

  The hint of a smile touched her lips. “Indeed. Her governesses were carefully chosen, and she spent only one year away at school. The mistresses were very strict. The girls could not even sneak novels into their rooms.”