Chapter 5
Meanwhile Edward’s valet was helping him dress for dinner.
The Duke had washed and shaved, then put on his favourite blue silk waistcoat and William was in the process now of tying the matching cravat neatly around his neck.
Something which Edward didn't always have a lot of patience for, but his mother was expecting guests this evening so it was important that he looked well groomed.
Remaining deep in thought about the future was a hindrance, and meant that he wouldn't have paid a lot of attention to his appearance without William's help. Even when the valet had finished the cravat and was helping him into his jacket, before brushing the back of it to capture any stray hairs on the woollen fabric, Edward couldn’t stop thinking about how fortuitous his meeting Owen had been for both of them. Fate had definitely been on their side!
All he hoped now was that Miss Barlow would be able to fit into the role of lady’s companion for his mother.
He didn't actually know if she had any prior experience of this, but assumed that Owen would have mentioned it if she did.
Moreover, when would she have had the opportunity to do this?
She attended a finishing establishment immediately before her first season, and was still very young.
Edward realised then that he should have asked for more information about her, and not get so carried away by the opportunity to solve his problem.
A lot would also of course depend on the Duchess, who was quite capable of making her own mind up on matters such as this.
As soon as he had joined her in the drawing room to wait for their guests to arrive, and told her what had happened, Lady Carlfield insisted quite firmly on being present at the interview.
Trying her best in the meantime to discover any other snippets of information concerning Sophia, and was deeply disappointed when Edward didn't know any more than he had already told her.
Although when she had reflected on this later, his negligence didn't come as any surprise to her.
Due to a lifetime of being married to Edward's father and raising his son, she was fully aware that gentlemen weren't quite as interested in social niceties as ladies, who learned the skill of describing the minutest details to each other from a young age.
However Cynthia was very excited to learn that Miss Barlow would be joining them the following morning for her interview, and could barely sit still once she knew this.
Much to Edward's frustration, she also continued to surmise this and that about her which she tried her best to get him to confirm.
He remained adamant that he didn't know a single thing more about Miss Barlow and a part of him was wishing now that he hadn't mentioned it at all.
Until he saw how much his mother was enjoying herself, and tried to be a little more indulgent.
Realising just how worried she must have been about coping alone with all of the social events she already had in her diary.
If truth be told Edward was by now almost certain that he would appoint Sophia, and felt instinctively that meeting her would be more of a formality than anything else.
Not only was she the answer to his problem, but Edward had convinced himself that she would most likely be the female version of her brother who was a true gentleman.
Given how highly Owen seemed to hold her in regard.
Having his sister's welfare at heart in making the arrangement for her interview, and stating that he would accompany her himself.
The only question mark so far, as he was concerned, was whether she would make a good impression on the Duchess once they finally met.
Despite her enthusiasm tonight, Edward was well aware that she could be quite particular about the way she wanted things done.
If Miss Barlow showed that her temperament was similar to his mother's and she wasn't quite as compliant as he had hoped, then things might not work out after all.
However it wasn't long before Jenkins came into the drawing room to announce the arrival of their guests: Edward’s aunt Grace, cousin Beatrice, and the gentleman she was betrothed to.
Cynthia remained seated, feeling more than a little worn out by all of the excitement earlier, but was soon engrossed in conversation with her sister and Beatrice, Grace's daughter.
Leaving Edward, who had stood up immediately to greet their guests, free to talk to Oliver.
Not wishing to risk losing her to someone else, the Duke of Setterton had made a formal proposal at the start of the season for Beatrice's hand in marriage.
As Setterton was near to Edward's estate, the two men soon began to discuss current events in their locality.
Dinner was served before long on hand-painted Sevres plates which had been a wedding present to his parents years ago, and still looked stunning in candlelight.
Edward made a toast in honour of the happy couple as it had been impossible for him not to see the way Beatrice and Oliver looked at each other.
He felt in no doubt whatsoever that they were deeply in love.
Reminding him again of his wish to experience this, as well as the necessity of finding a wife as soon as he could.
Strangely enough at that precise moment, his Aunt Grace asked him when he was intending to settle down.
Cynthia came quickly to her son's rescue.
"Grace, you may pose that question to Ned as many times as you wish, but I doubt he shall provide an answer until he is prepared to do so,.
"she said to her sister trying to save him the embarrassment of concocting a reply.
"I would love to know the answer, but the truth is that Ned is far too busy overseeing his business affairs.
However his father would have been very proud of his success, as I am, and I am sure he will wed when the time is right!
Pray, do tell me all the particulars of Beatrice and Oliver's upcoming nuptials.
What arrangements have been made since our last encounter? "
Edward had meanwhile cleared his throat, since he wished to answer the question for himself.
Much to Cynthia's surprise, and delight.
As in her opinion it showed that he was at last thinking about finding a wife.
"I must admit that I am still enjoying being a bachelor," he said.
"But I am encouraged by the proposal Oliver so gallantly made for your hand, Beatrice.
For that reason I will admit that it must be my turn next. "
Edward was obliged to undergo a lot of teasing after that, and guessing from the ladies about who his bride might possibly be. Whilst Edward could see the sympathy in Oliver's eyes. He had also clearly been subjected to this, with the questions being modified to suit Beatrice and his circumstances.
Edward looked fondly around the table at his family.
What he hadn't revealed was that he also wished to marry for love, as his parents had done.
So he could only hope that if fate had anything to do with it, the right young lady would shortly come along whom he could fall in love with.
Not being quite brave enough to say it though, and endure a barrage of further questioning from the ladies.
Knowing full well that they wouldn't give up until he had contributed something more for them to talk about, which he couldn't do.
Since there was absolutely no one whom Edward Carlisle could think of that he might even possibly fall in love with.
He tried hard then not to listen to his guilty conscience, telling him again and as often as it could, that he had let his mother down for long enough.
Through failing to give her the company and other benefits of having a daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, which she had every right to expect.
Edward knew that this guilty feeling was the only reason he might succumb, and make a proposal.
Even if it was to someone he didn't, nor believe he could, love.
If only he could have enjoyed the London season, its balls and other entertainment, but it wasn't in him to do so.
Much preferring the quietness of his Yorkshire estate, and being left to his own devices, although his mother did her best to make it more lively whenever she could, which made him smile.
His feelings about the ton certainly weren't directed at her or any other members of his family.
However he was filled with unease by all this endless parading of young women by their ambitious families, many of whom looked as uncomfortable as he felt.
Not forgetting those awful scandal sheets which could destroy any decent man or woman's reputation and destiny very quickly.
Along with all the unnecessary gossiping which was done, and had become a source of entertainment to those who participated in it.
To the point of being malicious and destructive, as far as he could see.
Truly, it was all utter nonsense! A sentiment which he knew was shared by a lot of the other gentlemen at his club.
Edward smiled broadly then at how judgemental he had become, but soon reverted to his usual demeanour.
Marriage was a serious matter, not only for himself!
As the Duke of Carlfield he was considerably more fortunate than those debutantes whose families forced their hands.
Compelling them to marry gentlemen who weren't of their choosing, which must have led to a miserable life.
Why on earth had love become so complicated, he asked himself?
The answer came quickly. It seemed to him that the ways of the ton, and society had made it so.
Not nature, or our own inclinations. As far as he could tell, love was a thing of beauty, to be treasured.
He knew now that he had the first inkling of this with Felicity until fate had intervened.
Since then, it was in the way he had seen others look at each other.
The Duke's thoughts returned to Miss Sophia Barlow. He hoped once again that she would be suitable, and he could ask her tomorrow morning to join his household.