Page 19 of The Bridal Quest

"To search for a mate for the earl," the older woman said with some asperity, as though Francesca were a bit dim. "That is what we are about, remember?"

"Of course I remember. I just, um, I wasn't sure why a party—"

"It will be the best way to present him to the girls we pick. I am convinced that we will never find him a spouse in London. It is too elegant, too sophisticated. He is bound to stand out here among men of Talbot's sort. Too smooth by half, that one, if you ask me, but he's the sort that women like, you know. Or Rochford. Though, of course, women would fawn on him if he were as rough as an old boot. Only stands to reason, being a duke and all. But that is neither here nor there."

She looked accusingly at Francesca, as if she had been responsible for her wandering off subject. "The point is, if we separate these women from civilization, they will no doubt find my great-nephew more acceptable."

"I think there are a number of women who would feel the earl's title and fortune make him acceptable enough anywhere," Francesca replied wryly.

"Yes, perhaps, but I am unwilling to take the chance. So I shall get Pansy to arrange a house party. We will work on a guest list. Go over the girls who will do. Then you will come up early to Radbourne Park, so you can work on Gideon himself. Smooth out some of his rough edges, if you can. You know what I mean. I am sure that he will receive suggestions better from you. He seems to resent the hints I give him."

"Surely not," Francesca murmured.

Lady Pencully gave her a narrow look. "Don't think I don't know when you are being facetious, girl. I am well aware that any man would much rather get instruction from a winning girl like you than from an old lady who doesn't couch the truth in sweet-sounding phrases." She gave a short nod, ending the matter. "When will you be at Radbourne Park?"

As always, Lady Odelia's commands rankled, but Francesca had to admit that the older woman's idea made sense. And a visit to Radbourne Park for a few weeks would also take care of her problem with maintaining her household for a while.

"I am not sure. A few days, surely, to pack and set things in order," Francesca told her.

"Well, don't dawdle, girl. We need to set this thing in motion."

"Of course, but—" Francesca broke off as she saw Lord Radbourne approaching. "Ah, Lord Radbourne. Good to see you again."

It was a lie, of course. She did not look forward to talking with him. He looked decidedly put out, and Francesca suspected that he was about to ring a peal over her head for whatever had transpired with Irene Wyngate.

He nodded shortly to Francesca and then to his great-aunt. "Lady Haughston. Lady Pencully."

"Gideon," Lady Odelia responded. "Saw you talking to Lady Irene a few minutes ago." She looked at him hopefully.

His lips tightened. "Lady Irene Wyngate is arrogant, stubborn and a snob. I am certain that she would not do for my wife."

Even Lady Odelia seemed unable to find a response to that.

Francesca jumped into the silence that followed his statement. "I see. Well, all the more reason to move forward with other plans. Your great-aunt and I were just discussing having a party at Radbourne Park. I hope you will find that agreeable. It seems a good way for you to meet several young women and get to know them, and for them to get to know you. A week or two allows one many more opportunities than attending rounds of balls and such here in the city."

He nodded. "No doubt. I will leave it in your capable hands. And my aunt's, of course."

"Very well." Francesca relaxed. At least he was not going to make a scene or, apparently, even blame her for whatever Irene had said to him.

"I will take my leave of you, then. I have business to attend to. If you will excuse me?"

"Of course." Francesca was quite content to see him go, though she could not help but wonder what sort of business he could have that required attending to at this time of night.

Lady Odelia paled a little and glanced around to see if anyone had overheard the earl's mention of business. He bowed toward them and turned to walk away.

He had taken only a few steps, however, when he abruptly stopped, pivoted on his heel and returned to them. "Lady Haughston," he said grimly. "When you make up the guest list ..." He hesitated, then added shortly, "Invite Lady Irene."

Chapter Five

The next morning, Irene glanced across the table at her sister-in-law. Maura was unaccustomedly pale, and her lids were heavy and dark. If it were another person, Irene would have wondered if she had not imbibed too freely at the Spences' ball last night. Perhaps, she thought, Maura was not feeling well. She had been remarkably silent ever since she sat down at the breakfast table this morning, and she had merely picked listlessly at her food.

Irene glanced down at her own plate. She noticed that she, too, had not eaten much. However, she knew the reason for her own state. After her ill-fated stroll with Lord Radbourne, she had spent the remainder of the ball fuming. She had wanted to leave the party altogether, but Maura had refused to consider it, and Irene had finally slipped out of the ballroom and found a quiet nook along the gallery, where she had spent the rest of the evening.

Though she had been undisturbed, it had scarcely been a pleasant hour, for in her mind Irene had gone over and over Lord Radbourne's rude behavior and her own appalling lapse of good sense. Even when they finally left the ball and she was able to seek the sanctuary of her own room, she had not found any peace. She had gone to bed but had tossed and turned, her thoughts still occupied with the shocking kiss on the terrace.

It had been hours before she could go to sleep, and even after she finally slipped into slumber, she had been disturbed by hot, lascivious dreams, awakening with her heart pounding and her skin sheened with sweat.

As a result, she had come down to breakfast a trifle late, feeling as if she had not slept at all, and had pushed her food around on her plate, eating little of it.