Chapter 22 #2
Hence his reason for staring at Miss Sophia Barlow, and hoping that she might soon be gone from Edward's sight. The Duke was clearly interested in her, and she was a great beauty, he had to admit albeit reluctantly. Given that she was part of Edward’s household they surely would meet often throughout the day, increasing their familiarity, even though she was only a servant.
Moreover the Earl needed his daughter's marriage to go ahead speedily.
Since one of his main creditors was about to call in the debt which he simply didn't have enough money to pay.
Howard couldn't risk asking Edward for a loan at this crucial point in what he saw as their negotiations about Lucy's future.
Possibly making the Duke suspicious of his motive in offering Lucy's hand to him, and receiving a refusal on both counts.
While he still had the upper hand at the moment, when Edward didn't have any inkling of his financial difficulties.
The Duke also surely wouldn't be so foolish as to risk a scandal by marrying a servant?
The Earl had business dealings with his father a few years ago.
He remembered his admiration of him at the time, and he equally had an enormous amount of respect for his son.
Despite this current subterfuge which came from dire necessity.
Especially in the way Edward had continued to build his father's business after his death.
The Earl scowled. The problem was his wife and daughter.
They had held him back in life, and were doing it even now.
Amelia was far too absorbed in herself to be of any help when he needed it the most. She wasn't even aware of their imminent destitution.
Whereas Lucy was extremely spoiled, expecting to have her own way at all times, and thoroughly empty headed.
Unable to converse on very little other than the gossip of the ton, the latest fashion in gowns and bonnets, and the look a gentleman had supposedly given a lady which must mean a proposal would be forthcoming shortly. Quite ridiculous!
Furthermore, if Howard was being completely honest with himself when he was sober, one of the things he regretted the most was trying to foist Lucy onto a gentleman like Edward whom he did genuinely like.
He would have difficulty changing her, but would need to if he wished to have any peace at all in his home.
Not something he envied him in the least. Whereas from what he had seen of Miss Barlow she was bright, intelligent, well read and even wrote her own poetry.
He could see the attraction there for Edward.
Obviously for her the Duke's wealth and status, but he was also well travelled and spoke eloquently of the places around the world he had visited, which she would no doubt have read about in her books.
This was what happened when women were permitted to read, and although he wasn't entirely certain that he should think of it this way, he actually believed that all of those dreadful bluestockings could well be right in asserting their wish to read and write.
Although neither Amelia nor Lucy would of course have any of this.
Believing that being able to sew a piece of embroidery was the best way to a man's heart.
When to be able to converse with him was of course far preferable.
On the other hand Edward would make a fine son-in-law, and at least they would be able to discuss matters at length, which Howard felt would improve his life at home enormously.
The Earl grinned when he noticed Lady Cynthia talking to Amelia and Lucy.
Wondering what effect she would have on them, as she clearly didn't tolerate any nonsense.
Those dreadful ladies they currently consorted with had been too great an influence on them.
It really did have to stop, and however this sorry state of affairs turned out, he had come to a decision after drinking a considerable amount of wine that both Amelia and Lucy had to start reading without any more excuses.
Howard glanced at Sophia again, standing demurely behind Lady Cynthia and Edward.
The three of them even looked right together, he couldn't help thinking in frustration.
Even as a ladies' companion, she had backbone.
You could tell that from looking at her.
Although he deeply regretted the observation, he could definitely see the attraction for a man like Edward.
Had his own circumstances been very different he might well have been tempted himself.
A woman like Miss Sophia Barlow presented much more of a challenge.
Not only in him having the pleasure of instructing her on how to warm a gentleman's nights, but his conversation too!
Whilst for the Duke there would of course be the satisfaction of having to find a solution to the additional dilemma of how to avoid a scandal, if he should marry her.
The Earl of Duxbury could well imagine that something like this would intrigue the Duke of Carlfield, but not if he had anything to do with it.
Howard raised himself up to his full height.
He realised now what he had to do. He would have to put a stop to this, and Miss Sophia Barlow's scheming, before it went any further!