Chapter Ten
J ulian’s carriage reached London, and surprisingly, he was glad to be back in the city of his birth. While he had enjoyed the brief respite in the country and was pleased with his newly hired steward, being back in London meant seeing Lady Ariadne Worthington again.
“When will you be going to your tailor?” Con asked.
“I will probably see him tomorrow morning,” he replied. “I had to put off a fitting while we were gone.”
“My tailor retired last autumn and moved to Liverpool to live with his daughter and her family. I am looking for a new one,” Con explained. “Might I accompany you on your visit?”
“Certainly. He was highly recommended by my valet, who said the previous Lord Aldridge used him. Paulson is quite particular and would not have steered me wrong.”
“Well, I might as well go along,” Val said good-naturedly. “I could use some new coats. What about your shirtmaker, Julian?”
“I saw him when I first arrived in town. Again, the former marquess used his services, and Parsons said no other would do.”
He shared the name, and Val said, “I have heard of him. I think I will see him and say you referred me to him.”
They pulled up in front of his townhouse, and the trio disembarked from the carriage. Already, footmen from the duke’s townhouse scurried over to claim Val’s and Con’s luggage.
“Thank you again for accompanying me to Surrey and finding me a new steward. I wish to repay your kindness.”
“It is not necessary,” Val said. “But an invitation to dinner would be nice.”
Julian had thought to ask his friend’s family to tea, but he saw dinner would be a better opportunity.
“You read my mind,” he told his friends. “Check your diaries for tomorrow evening. Of course, your families are also invited.”
“I will speak to Mama,” Con said. “If she already has plans, I will let you know tomorrow morning while we run our errand. I doubt Papa has come to town. He is most likely giving Mama time to cool her heels after their spat.”
“If he has come to town, then he is welcome to come,” Julian told his friend.
“Let me check with my family,” Val said. “Since it is still early, I believe they will have no other engagements. I will go to the tailor’s with you and let you know then, as well. What time are you leaving in the morning?”
“Ten o’clock,” he threw out, thinking he would send a footman to Mr. Dalglish’s shop to let him know to expect them.
“We will meet you here at the appointed time,” Con said.
His friends headed toward Millbrooke’s townhouse, while Julian went inside his own.
Grigsby awaited him. “Were you successful in engaging a steward, my lord?”
“Thanks to Lord Claibourne, Aldridge Manor is in good hands once again.” Pausing a moment, he then added, “I am going to have a dinner party tomorrow, Grigsby. Please inform Cook. I can give her the number of guests tomorrow morning after I have spoken with Lord Claibourne and Lord Dyer. If all can attend, it will be seven of us total.”
“I shall speak with Cook now, my lord. Do you have any requests?”
“No. Leave that up to her.”
His cook worked magic with food. At least, that was what Julian thought. Having eaten a limited diet before coming into his title, though, he hoped her cooking would be good enough to please the Duke and Duchess of Millbrooke.
“Also, send a footman to my tailor. Tell him I will call at a quarter past ten tomorrow morning.”
“Of course, my lord.”
Julian headed to his study. As he thought, the post had piled up during the days they had been gone. More invitations had arrived. He would need to speak to his friends about them. He had thought to do so when they were out of town, but he changed his mind, thinking if Val and Con went through them with him, they could give insight into the various hosts and tell Julian a bit about those who might attend the events.
A knock sounded at the door, and he said, “Come.”
Grigsby entered, looking apologetic. “Cook would like to speak with you, my lord.”
He had never met with her before in person and had only spoken to her once when he first inherited his title.
“Have her come in.”
Grigsby retreated and then Cook appeared in the doorway. She was a stout woman, with graying hair and kind eyes.
“Come in, Cook. What do you wish to discuss?”
She crossed the room and he indicated for her to take a seat. Reluctantly, she did so.
“Since you have no wife, my lord, and this is the first time you’ll host a party, I wanted to go over a few preferences with you.”
“Truly, Cook, whatever you have in mind to serve will be fine.”
She frowned. “I know you like my food because your plates are returned to the kitchens scraped clean.”
Julian wondered if that was a mistake on his part. “I enjoy what you prepare.”
She seemed to relax and smiled. “I like hearing that, my lord. Tell me who is coming.”
“If everyone accepts my invitation, it will be the Duke and Duchess of Millbrooke, my neighbors on the square, and their son and daughter. Also, the duke’s sister and nephew.”
Her eyes widened. “A duke, you say?” She thought a moment. “Then here’s what I’d like to serve.”
Cook launched into a lengthy menu, which including everything from a white soup to rabbit, house lamb, various vegetables, and something he was unfamiliar with.
Seeing him frown, Cook said, “Fanchonettes are a dessert, my lord, not something everyone is comfortable attempting. Never fear, though. Mine come out delightful.”
“What does it include?” he asked, curious.
“It’s a custard tart, my lord, made with lemon. That makes it rich and creamy. I also pipe meringue atop it in the shape of pearls and then brown the meringue slightly. Believe me, it will be a wonderful way to end the meal, certainly fit for a duke and his duchess.”
Julian smiled approvingly. “Everything you have suggested sounds wonderful, Cook. I will only hope Their Graces do not try to steal you away from me after they have dined on your food.”
The woman giggled like a young girl, and he was glad he had paid her a compliment. Servants should be praised for a job well done, and he knew his cook would put an outstanding meal on the table tomorrow night.
*
“Do you have to go to the tailor’s?” Ariadne asked Val at breakfast. “You only got home yesterday. I was hoping we could go for a ride this morning. Besides, you will see Lord Aldridge tonight at dinner.”
Yesterday when Val had arrived home, he had shared at tea that the marquess had asked the four of them to dinner this evening. Her parents had agreed to accept the invitation, as had Aunt Charlotte, who had joined them for tea.
“How about we ride this afternoon, say one o’clock?” Val countered.
She snorted. “Then I have nothing to do until then.”
“What, no shopping?”
“Thank goodness that is over with. At least for now.”
Her brother chuckled. “Most women adore shopping, Sis.”
“All I can think about is that I am like a doll Mama is dressing up and putting on display for others to admire.”
Val stroked his chin. “Actually, that is a fairly accurate description of the Marriage Mart. You are to look your best and act your most charming, luring in a husband.”
“That sounds so nefarious,” she declared.
“You will have no trouble attracting men, Ariadne,” he assured her.
“But will they be the right kind of men?”
He shrugged. “Aldridge seems to like you.”
Her heart skipped a beat, hearing the marquess’ name. “You think so?”
“I do. He is a decent fellow. I know we are sworn to keep his background a secret, and I hope you would not hold it against him.”
“Oh, I would never do that,” she said, a bit too enthusiastically, causing Val’s brows to shoot up.
“Do you like him, Sis?”
“He seems nice,” she said, tempering her words. “Of course, I would need to get to know him better. Actually, I want to get to know a good number of people better before I even begin to think about taking a husband.”
Val thought a moment. “How would you like to go to the tailor’s shop with us this morning?”
Excitement filled her. “Truly?”
“I do not see why not. I am your brother and will be your escort to most events this Season. It will give you something to do, and you can be around Con and Julian and get to know both a bit better.”
“Julian? You are calling Lord Aldridge by his first name, Val?”
“Con and I like him. I will be very honest with you, Sis. Con and I get along with most everyone we meet, yet as far as close friends go, we have always stuck only with one another. There is something about Julian, though. Something we both feel. I believe he will be a good friend to each of us for many years to come.”
The thought of Lord Aldridge and her brother and cousin all being friends made the marquess appeal to her even more, but Val did not need to know that just yet. Besides, she did want to have her come-out and experience all the fun of a Season. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to get to know Lord Aldridge—Julian—better. Especially before he had met other eligible ladies.
“I would be delighted to accompany you. Just keep it from Mama.”
“You think she would disapprove.”
“I know she would. She does not rise until noon unless we have an appointment, and we have none today. We will most likely be home before she even stirs.”
They walked to Lord Aldridge’s townhouse, seeing Con pull up in a hansom cab, which parked behind the marquess’ carriage.
“You skipped tea yesterday,” Ariadne chided.
“I had a previous appointment,” Con said, a gleam in his eyes.
“That means you went to see a woman.”
Both men cleared their throats, and Val said, “You are not supposed to know of things such as that, Sis. And definitely not supposed to bring up the topic.”
Lord Aldridge stepped from his front door and came to greet them.
“I hope you will not mind, but Ariadne is going to the tailor’s with us,” Val informed the others.
She saw the tips of Lord Aldridge’s ears pinken slightly and bit back a smile. “I hope you do not mind my presence, my lord. I have never been to a tailor’s shop. Val is trying to keep me entertained since I complained of being bored while the three of you were out of town.”
“Do ladies go to the tailor?” the marquess asked.
“They do if they wish to,” Con said, taking Ariadne’s hand and helping her into the waiting carriage.
On the way, she asked about the new steward, and Lord Aldridge eagerly told her about Mr. Ross and his qualifications.
“His father serves as steward on one of your father’s estates, my lady. Mr. Ross has been in training his entire life, ready to take the reins at an estate of his own. He may be young, but he has some innovative ideas. It pleases me that we will have a partnership for many years to come.”
“A partnership?” she asked.
“Why, yes. That is what I think of it as. As my steward, Mr. Ross is there to take care of my land and my tenants when I am absent and care for them as I do even when I am there. We are both in league to make certain the land prospers, which helps my coffers and makes my tenants happy. I look upon him as a fellow associate. A colleague, so to speak.”
“That seems a unique way of viewing your relationship, my lord.”
Lord Aldridge nodded thoughtfully. “Perhaps it is. I believe it will lead to success, however.”
If this man were willing to make his steward a partner, he might take the same attitude in marriage. Ariadne hoped he did. Not only was Lord Aldridge attractive, with his dark hair and brows and contrasting blue eyes, she was drawn to the person he was. She wondered if her very different views regarding marriage would make sense to him.
Somehow, she needed to devise some kind of test. If he passed, then she would definitely consider him a viable candidate for her hand.
They arrived at the tailor’s shop and entered.
“Ah, Lord Aldridge. Good morning.” A man headed toward them, about forty years of age. He had dark hair and watery blue eyes and looked to have a congenial nature. He had an air of familiarity about him, but Ariadne knew she never could have met him and dismissed the notion.
“I brought along a few friends, Mr. Dalglish. Lord Dyer is searching for a new tailor and would like to see examples of your work.”
The tailor nodded eagerly. “If you would care to try on some of the pieces I’ve already completed for you, his lordship can see how they fit you and then examine them more closely for the details. If you would come with me, my lord.”
The two men disappeared into what Ariadne thought would be rooms similar to those at Madame Laurent’s. While they were gone, she strolled about the shop, examining samples of materials, while Val and Con spoke with an assistant.
Lord Aldridge appeared, looking quite dapper in dark gray trousers and a lighter gray coat and vest. They went to get a closer look at him as he stepped up on a slightly raised platform.
“You look splendid, Aldridge,” Con praised.
Ariadne had thought the marquess handsome, but she had looked mainly at his face. Now, she saw how well he filled out his clothes, his shoulders broad and quite appealing. Something inside her stirred, and she grew a bit dizzy. She dug her nails into her palms, but her gloves were too thick to make a difference, so she bit down on her tongue, helping to clear her head.
“I am very pleased, Mr. Dalglish,” Lord Aldridge said. “Do you have anything else ready for me?”
The marquess changed clothes several times, growing more attractive each time he came out. She thought he looked best in a midnight blue coat and fawn riding breeches which were molded to his muscular legs. She wished she could lift the tails of his coat and see how he filled out the backside of those breeches and found her cheeks growing hot.
Once he was done, Con asked for Mr. Dalglish to measure him. He got Ariadne involved by asking her to look at bolts of material with him. Even Val and Lord Aldridge joined in, helping Con to select several different colors and patterns. Con arranged a day to return to the tailor’s shop, and they left, with Mr. Dalglish saying he would have everything ready delivered to Lord Aldridge that afternoon.
In the carriage, the marquess said, “I suppose I can wear something new to dinner this evening. Thank you again for saying you will come tonight. It will be the first time I have entertained guests, either here or in the country.”
“Thank you for inviting us, my lord,” Ariadne said demurely, her pulse pounding as she looked at him.
Why was she suddenly so attracted to him?
She didn’t understand why something about this man touched her so, but she was ready to spend more time in his company. Suddenly, she was the one who wanted him to have a good impression of her before the Season began and other ladies drew his attention.
When they reached home, Val asked if she still wanted to go riding.
“Most definitely,” she told him.
Ariadne needed something to keep her mind occupied. Riding took a great deal of physical effort and mental concentration, else you’d be tossed from the saddle. An hour or two atop a horse was just the thing she needed.
Only then would she take time to examine these new, blossoming feelings for the Marquess of Aldridge.