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“I hope you will excuse me,” he told the party at large with a smile and a bow. “I will join you in a bit.”

“Once he’s had a chance to change,” Gregory said, holding out his arms for Tiffany and Miss Hu to take, giving them both a rakish grin. “So that he does not continue to offend our noses. Not that I mind the smell of horse, but I know how delicate you ladies can be.”

The desire to wring his best friend’s neck was growing.

Mei

Standing on the small balcony that overlooked the foyer, Mei had the perfect view of every new arrival’s profile as they greeted the Duke of Bolton and of his as well. It was not as good as seeing their full expressions, but it would have to do. This was as close as she could come, for the moment, as the Duke and Duchess of Clarence received their guests and the duchess provided any necessary introductions to her brother.

Not that everyone needed an introduction, of course. The Duke of St. Albans and his wife needed no introduction. Johanna was settling into her new role as a wealthy duchess and appeared to be very happy with her husband, whose easygoing charm and happy demeanor had softened her own edges. The edge that desperation had caused. Rose arrived with them and was greeted as warmly as her cousin, the duchess, including by the Duke of Bolton.

His disdain was not necessarily for those without rank, just for matchmakers.

The Duke of Montagu arrived on their heels and was met with gladness by everyone except Rose, who did her best to stay out of the greetings at all. When Montagu singled her out to ensure he could bow over her hand and kiss it, she looked like she was grinding her teeth. Mrs. Mays, the housekeeper, led them out of the foyer to show them to their rooms, a stream of footmen and maids following in their wake.

Mei straightened as the door opened for the next bout of guests—the first of Bolton’s potential brides had arrived.

Miss Meredith Fenley, escorted by her parents, Lord Robin Fenley and Lady Katherine Fenley. The third son of a marquess, Lord Robin’s title was purely honorary, leaving his children as mere misters and a miss. Miss Meredith was as pretty as Mei remembered, with her light brown hair neatly coiled at the back of her head. She was tall, but not too tall; only a few inches shorter than either of her brothers, she would likely come up to the Duke of Bolton’s chin.

Her brothers hovered at the back, the younger of the two looking around the foyer in wonder before the elder nudged him with a scowl. Mei had not met either Mr. Colin Fenley, the elder, or Mr. Simon Fenley, but from her first impression, she thought that Mr. Colin Fenley was as impressed as his brother but did not want to show it. They were very alike their father and sister in looks; though Miss Meredith’s hair was lighter than any of the gentlemen’s, it was not quite as light as her mother’s dark honey-blonde.

When the Duke of Bolton was introduced, she dropped down to a curtsy of the exact degree without a single wobble. She also did not appear entirely awed, and she said something too soft for Mei to hear but which made the duke smile. And if Mei felt a small ping of something akin to jealousy in her breast when she saw his lips curve, that was something a matchmaker would keep entirely to herself.

It was a good sign.

The Duke of Hereford and his wife were the next to arrive, unraveling some more of the tension in Mei’s breast as a new friend entered the scene. Kalina had married the duke earlier this Season, and despite the fact that circumstances had dictated their wedding, the two seemed very happy now. A scandal turned love match.

They were just exiting the foyer as the door opened to admit the next party to arrive.

“Ah, Lady Juliette,” Astrid appeared next to Mei, peering over the balcony, her voice a low murmur to avoid being heard by those below. “I am afraid you may have missed the mark with this one, Mei.”

“How so?” Mei frowned, her pride stinging a bit at Astrid’s assessment. She put her hands on the balcony rail and looked down. Lady Juliette was an acknowledged beauty, plumply curved with dark blonde hair and bright blue eyes that had been compared to sapphires by more than one of the ton’s aspiring poets. She was the daughter of an earl and known to be a witty, if quiet, conversationalist. “She’s an exceptional debutante and a worthy candidate to be the new Duchess of Bolton.”

“Ah, but look at her escort.” Astrid nodded at the man who had accompanied Lady Juliette. The long-time family friend, Tiffany had described him. Lord Stephen Hayworth was watching the duke and Lady Juliette interact with almost painful intensity. Tall, lanky, and rather handsome with a nose that was only a little too big for his face, the second son of an earl could not compete with a duke… and yet the way that he looked at Lady Juliette, one might guess that he wanted to.

Blast.

“The question is, what does she want?” Mei replied quietly. Lord Hayworth might be desperately in love with Lady Juliette, but that would do him no good if she did not return his regard.

And the attentions of a duke versus that of a second son?

By that measure, he had no chance at all.

Mei watched closely, but she could not tell what Lady Juliette felt about either the duke or her escort, not from this distance and not from within this short time period to observe them. She would have to keep close watch on them during the house party. It would not do to recommend a match of Lady Juliette to the duke if the lady had feelings for another man.

“We shall see. There are still three other potential brides for him.” Astrid smiled. “Perhaps Lord Hayworth will find a lady more to his liking.”

“If he is so interested, why has he not spoken up before?”

“He may not have realized his interest until he realized she might be soon off the market. Or he may have thought he had more time and has now discovered that luxury might be no longer available to him.”

“Let me know if you see any indication that Lady Juliette returns his regard.” At the very least, she could warn the duke if he appeared to be becoming attached to the lady.

“Of course. It would not do to have Sebastian marry a woman who is in love with another man. Speaking of such tragedy…” Astrid’s voice trailed off, her head tipping down to indicate the new arrivals. The Duke of Grafton with his mother, the Duchess of Grafton, and his fiancée, the soon-to-be Duchess of Grafton, had arrived. The duke’s pet monkey was not on his shoulder, his normal perch, but was carried past in a large cage, scolding the footman who was carrying him the entire way.

Lady Annabelle Walsh was a beautiful young woman with a heart-shaped face, reddish-brown hair, and warm hazel eyes. She had a reputation as being friendly, generous, and warm, well-liked by everyone who met her, which was a feat in and of itself within the ton. She also had the unfortunate position of being affianced to a man who was in love with his former mistress.

From what Mei understood, Grafton’s mother had taken the loss of his father extremely poorly. She mourned the way only a woman who had lost the love of her life could mourn. The only thing that finally began to move her out of her doldrums, that began to bring her back to health, was when Grafton realized he needed to wed.