Chapter 3
Three
“Well, Stanton, if I am to find two men to marry the women under my care, there is no better way to start the day than with a glass of brandy.” Felix swirled the amber liquid in the crystal glass.
Though the glass had barely more than a drop in it, Felix suspected he would need a drink before he and his childhood friend, Darcy Surwicke, Duke of Stanton, stepped into the drawing room.
Stanton laughed and leaned against the bookshelf in the study, one ankle crossed over the other. “You are a braver man than I. You know Lady Victoria has been declared one of the most desirable debutantes of the season.”
“Unfortunately, my charge, Miss Alden, is one of the least.” Felix drank the brandy and set the glass beside the decanter on his desk.
“She cannot be horrific. My servants have heard from yours that she is a spirited young lady.”
“When we arrived at the estate yesterday morning, she declared London the dreariest city she had ever seen. I asked her what formed that opinion and she told me that the paintings of London I kept in my hall, when combined with William Blake’s poetry, were more than enough to lead her to the assumption.
Felix pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to stave off the growing ache in his head at the thought of having to convince a gentleman of the ton to marry Miss Alden.
“Well, I would say that she is right. I have traveled from one country to another, and I would say that we have little to look at. There are too many buildings and shrubs. Not nearly enough variety in the people.”
Felix lifted his head and gave the duke a dry look. “Then you will be the one to seek a husband for her. If you know her heart, you should have an easier time of it than I will.”
“I was blessed with brothers. I do not have to partake in this show.”
“Your mother wishes to see you married at the end of this season.” Felix smirked and tilted his head toward the towering white doors that led to the hallway. “You could march out there, drop to one knee, and declare your love for Miss Alden and solve our problems.”
“I will do no such thing. You know I have no intention to marry.”
“Neither does she.” Felix strode toward the door, Stanton trailing behind him. “The pair of you would be a perfect match, although I must warn you that she appears to have never heard of propriety. She seems to be incapable of holding her tongue.”
“Then it seems you have a challenging task at hand. I will not be the one to stand in the way of your matchmaking prowess by proposing to Miss Alden before the season has truly begun.”
Stanton was quite amused by the prospect of Felix’s torture. Felix considered telling his friend to return to his own home in town and leave him be, but if he was to survive an afternoon of inconsequential men begging for his sister’s hand, he needed a partner to step in when he grew irritated.
And irritated he knew he would grow.
If only Victoria had been of marrying age when Father was alive.
“I suppose it is time to face the dragons that linger and wait for us in the drawing room.” Felix glanced at his pocket watch one last time. “The first suitor is due to arrive in ten minutes, and since you refuse to be so kind as to save me from this burden, it is time we proceed.”
Stanton finished his brandy and led the way to the door. “I suspect it will be far easier to marry this woman off than you have imagined. Some of the men in port have said she is quite the compelling creature.”
“She did not speak around them. They would have changed their minds rapidly if she had.”
“You give this young woman too much credit, Windham. She cannot be as fearsome as you make her seem.”
Felix shook his head as the servants pulled open the doors to the drawing room. If Stanton thought that this morning’s meeting would be a matter of simply finding Miss Alden a husband, he was in for a rude awakening.
Felix was certain that he would have to search the entire ton before he found one man who was willing to marry Miss Alden. Her beauty would lure men in like a siren, and then she would sing her song and they would perish with the lashing of her sharp tongue.
Miss Alden looked up as they entered the room, putting her needlework to the side and smoothing down her skirts as she stood. She dipped into a low curtsy as Edith’s upper lip curled.
The etiquette lessons this morning must not have gone well.
“Your Graces.” Miss Alden’s gaze turned to Stanton, her smile growing wider. “Your Grace, it is a pleasure to meet you. Lady Victoria has spoken at length about the romps you and the Duke of Windham had as children.”
Victoria looked at Felix with a laugh as Edith scowled. “I apologize, brother. I could not help myself. Miss Alden could not believe that you had once been a young man who smiled. I had to assure her on several occasions that it was true.”
Felix pressed his lips together, glancing between his sister and the imp beside her.
If the two of them were to become fast friends, then he would have another problem on his hands.
When she was much younger, Victoria had a bit of a wild side to her.
Edith had been quick to quash that and transform her into a respectable young lady fit for society.
Stanton grinned like the cat who got the cream. “Miss Alden, I have heard stories of your arrival here and your opinions about Windham’s paintings. I must agree with you. London is rather dreary, but the ton does throw fabulous balls. You shall see when you visit for the first time.”
Miss Alden’s cheeks tinged pale pink. “I hope I did not offend with my comments.”
“Offend Windham? Easily.” Stanton winked at her before taking a seat by the fire and pulling a book from the table beside him. “I am not as quick to take offense.”
Victoria laughed as Edith tutted and ushered Evangeline and Hyacinth out of the room, much to their irritation. As the door closed behind the two younger women and their governess, Edith faced Felix.
“The maids will bring in tea and scones soon. There will be several trays of little pastries as well, Windham.”
“Are you sure all of that will be necessary?” Felix stared at the trays of sweets as the maids brought them into the room and placed them on the long table by the massive windows. “There are only a few gentlemen who will be visiting us today.”
“People like to have a treat. Sugar always makes matters of the heart easier. Why, when your father was seeking my hand, he never arrived at Papa’s house without a box of my favorite apple blossom pastry.”
Felix sighed and nodded as the servants stationed themselves around the room, close to the powder blue walls in case they were needed. “Very well then. Let us meet the first round of suitors.”
Edith crossed the room and perched on one of the chairs near the white marble fireplace, her hands folded in her lap.
Miss Alden returned to the sofa with Victoria, all color drained from her face, although she forced what he assumed to be a mockery of a smile.
The doors opened as the butler stepped into the room, bowing low before stepping to one side. A man carrying a bouquet of wildflowers nearly two times the size of his head stepped into the room.
“May I present the Marquess of Westshire.”
Felix stepped forward as Lord Westshire bowed. “Lord Westshire, I had heard that you would be our first caller. Prompt as always.”
Lord Westshire beamed as if this was the highest compliment he had ever received. “Your Grace, thank you for welcoming me into your home. Once I heard of the talented and accomplished Miss Alden I knew I must pay you a visit.”
The quick remark that rose to his tongue was held back as the rules of society demanded. According to Lady Alden, her daughter was both talented and accomplished, but Felix had yet to see signs of anything other than a talent for needling him in a way no other woman dared.
Miss Alden stood and curtsied to the marquess. “Lord Westshire, it is my greatest pleasure to meet you. Victoria has told me of your estate and the bountiful crop of apples you have grown there.”
Felix resisted the urge to groan as Lord Westshire puffed his chest out with pride.
“I have brought these for you, Miss Alden.” Lord Westshire held out the bouquet as if he expected such a practical woman to fawn over flowers some children had clearly gathered for him.
The stems were jagged instead of slanted, and the ribbon tied around them had been done with haste and pulled a little too tight. If this was Lord Westshire’s attempt to impress Miss Alden, Felix was entertained by the thought of how she would cut down the pretentious lord.
Stanton would have made a better suitor. At least he is as likely as her to say inappropriate things at entirely the wrong time.
Though, if Stanton did turn his interest to Miss Alden, there would be little in the way of worry. A quick wedding and the imp would no longer be his problem.
Miss Alden took the flowers with a smile, but it was hard to miss the slight wrinkle of her nose. “Thank you, my lord, but I am afraid I have quite the allergy to hollyhocks.”
Lord Westshire’s crestfallen look was well worth the scolding look Edith gave to Miss Alden. “My apologies, Miss Alden. I was unaware. You will have to forgive me, and I will be sure to bring you only roses at our next meeting.”
She gave him a comforting smile that was broken with a sneeze. “You needn’t bring me flowers.”
Felix frowned as he stood at the side of the room and leaned against the wall.
Miss Alden sneezed again as the flowers were whisked from the room by one of the maids.
It was only when she sat down and made a show of looking down at her hands that he thought she might be playing a game with Lord Westshire.
Has she already discovered that he is a loathsome man?