“You have only just met Lady Hayward, then?” Lady Selina asked as Rebecca nodded. “And Father is quite contented to allow her to help us?”
“More than willing, I should say,” Rebecca replied with a sudden smile. “In fact, I do not think he was hesitant for barely a moment! The opportunity to return to the townhouse and to remove himself from supervising the choosing of gowns was one he could not simply ignore.” She chuckled, and, finally, Lady Selina smiled. “I think we may have found an ally in Lady Hayward, Selina.” A jolt of happiness ran through her frame, and Rebecca allowed herself to sigh with contentment. “Perhaps this Season will not be as difficult as I feared after all.”
Chapter Two
“I do hope there will be no tardiness this evening!”
Rebecca sat up straight in her chair as her father came striding into the room, only to stop dead as he caught sight of not one but three of his daughters sitting quietly together, waiting for him to join them. He cleared his throat and nodded at them, muttering something under his breath that Rebecca could not quite make out.
Rebecca felt delighted with his reaction, but, of course, hid it well. It would not do to have her father irritated just before they left the house for what would be their very first foray into society.
“Now that you have been presented,” the Duke said, coming to stand in front of the small fire that burned in the grate, keeping the evening’s chill away from the large room, “it is time to enter society. You are, however, to be on your guard.”
Rebecca frowned. “If you are to suggest, Father, that we do not know what is expected of us in terms of behavior, then—”
“That is not at all what I am suggesting, Rebecca, and kindly do not interrupt,” the duke said firmly, his eyes fixing to hers as she quelled her frustration. “I am well aware that my daughters know what is proper and what is improper. I fully expect this evening to go very well, indeed. What I am to say, however, is that you all must be careful of those you are introduced to. Some will be eager for your acquaintance, of course, which will be rather flattering.” His lips thinned, giving Rebecca the impression that he had been through an experience that had not pleased him. “It will be a matter of wisdom and consideration to know whether such people are eager for your acquaintance out of an eagerness to become known to you, or if they seek it out for their own gain.”
Rebecca’s heart began to grow heavy. She had been looking forward to this evening, especially with the promise of Lady Hayward being present also. The purchasing of their gowns had gone very well indeed and, whilst Rebecca did not know what Lady Hayward and her father had discussed thereafter, she felt quite certain that the duke would be very contented indeed with their acquaintance continuing. Now, however, she feared that her father would expect her to ensure that her sisters were acquainted only with those that were of excellent character and had no underlying motives—although quite how she was meant to decipher such a thing, Rebecca had very little idea.
“Therefore, you must be on your guard,” the duke said firmly. “If, for any reason, a gentleman is eager to further his acquaintance with you, you shall give his name to me, and I shall do some investigation into his situation before any further interaction takes place.”
“Yes, Father,” the three young ladies murmured together, with Rebecca’s heart sinking all the lower. She would never be able to find a suitable match, not when her father’s demands were so stringent. What if she found someone she considered appropriate, only for her father to refuse on some small matter? She knew that the duke expected his daughters to marry well, to gentlemen of excellent title, of good family, and of substantial wealth. Now, it seemed, she had to find such a gentleman but would also be required to ensure that his character was without fault and his motivations quite pure. It felt like a near-impossible task.
The duke cleared his throat, his hands still clasped tightly behind his back, and Rebecca forced herself to give him her full attention and did not linger on any further thoughts at present.
“There is another matter that I wish to inform you of,” the duke continued as Rebecca let out a long, slow breath, a little frustrated that there appeared to be even more the duke required of them. “It is to do with Lady Hayward.”
Rebecca’s heart dropped to the floor. No doubt, then, the duke had found something disparaging about the lady and had decided that she was not a suitable acquaintance for his daughters. Perhaps that was what had been discussed yesterday afternoon when they had returned from Madame Bernadotte’s. Perhaps Lady Hayward had been thanked by the duke but asked to remove herself from their acquaintance. It was quite feasible, given all that the duke expected, and yet Rebecca felt sorrowful, having thought very highly of Lady Hayward.
“As you know, Lady Hayward is a kind and willing lady who has very little to occupy her at present,” the duke began, his voice rolling through the room. “I was grateful to her for her assistance yesterday, and I am sure that, given how highly you all spoke of her, you were grateful for her company also.”
“We were, Father,” Lady Anna replied quietly. “I believe we all thought very highly of her.”
“Good.” The duke paused for a moment and, much to Rebecca’s astonishment, began to smile. What was it he was going to reveal? She was no longer as certain as she had been about her father’s intentions, praying that he would not ask them to separate from the lady entirely.
“Lady Hayward has a son. Three, in fact,” the duke continued, now looking pleased with himself. “There are a few issues concerning the late Lord Hayward’s will, and, in addition, I believe the new Lord Hayward is struggling just a little with all that has been placed upon his shoulders.” He shrugged. “It is understandable when one takes the title to be a little overwhelmed, but there are certain matters that make things a good deal more difficult for Lord Hayward. Therefore, having discussed the matter at length with Lady Hayward, she and I have come to a mutually agreed arrangement.”
A flurry of either fear or excitement—for Rebecca could not tell which—ran down her spine as she listened intently, wondering what it could be that had been agreed upon. It was not like her father to go about such things in this way, for he did not like to ask anyone for their help or assistance in anything, being quite determined to do it without interference. And yet, in this case, it appeared as though this was precisely what he had done.
“I have no interest in attending balls, in encouraging matches and in chaperoning waltzes and the like,” the duke said with a wave of his hand and a sigh of exasperation. “Lady Hayward has no real interest in business matters, although, of course, she wishes to aid her son in any way she can. Therefore, we have both agreed to be of assistance to the other.”
Silence filled the room for a few minutes as the three ladies looked at their father expectantly, clearly ready for him to say more, but it seemed as though the duke was finished with his explanations. With a shrug, he turned and gestured to the door. “Let us hurry now. She will be waiting.”
Rebecca did not move from her chair. “What do you mean, Father?” she asked as Lady Anna and Lady Selina watched the duke with curiosity. “Lady Hayward is to assist you? In what way?”
“By chaperoning you, of course,” he said, a slight flicker crossing his brow as though he had expected them all to understand what he meant without difficulty. “She will do what I do not wish to and will guide you through society and make certain that any gentlemen who wish to acquaint themselves a little more with you are entirely suitable.”
What a gift for Lady Rebecca! She now has the lovely Lady Hayward to assist her with her debut into the ton and help her find a husband. To find out what happens next, please check out Mistaken for a Rake on the Kindle store! Mistaken for a Rake
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A Selfish Heart: A Regency Romance: Landon House (Book 2) Page 17
