CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO

Alice stood back as the younger members of the family greeted Augusta, Phinn, and Charlie. Elizabeth had been a year old, and Gideon had been two when they left. But Grace and Alice's other brothers and sisters had read their letters to the children. Their sisters Theo, now fourteen, and Mary, eleven, were hugging the prodigals. Augusta's Great Dane waited patiently to be acknowledged. Alice vaguely remembered the dog being mentioned in one of her sister's letters.

Mary pointed at the Dane. "Whose dog is that and what is its name?"

"This is Minerva." Augusta indicated a box on the floor. "Etienne is in there. We found them in Vienna. Minerva's original owner died, and Phinn bought Etienne for me."

"It was one of my attempts to get her to marry me." Phinn smiled ruefully.

He had followed her to Europe when she went to travel with cousins.

"We are very happy to have you all back home." Grace exchanged a glance with Matt, who was smiling broadly.

"And in good time too," Matt said as he started walking toward the breakfast room. "Will you stay with us, or have you made other arrangements?"

Augusta tucked her hand in the crook of her husband's arm. "Charlie has asked us to reside with him for the Season."

"How did you all manage to arrive at the same time?" Eleanor asked.

Charlie held Grace's chair then sat on her right. "I was in Spain when I ran into them on their way home. I decided it was time for me to return as well."

"What happened to your bear-leader?" Matt asked.

"He wanted to explore Europe for a while longer," Charlie said, accepting a cup of tea. "Since I was with family members, we agreed to part ways."

"I am glad everything worked out so well." Eleanor said. "Albeit, knowing Augusta, that does not surprise me at all."

"Oh, no. I cannot take credit." Augusta cut a piece of toast in half. "Cousin Prudence and Mr. Boman, Phinn's secretary, usually make the arrangements."

"They married not long after we did. They'll be visiting their families for a month or so," Phinn added.

Charlie took a slice of rare beef from a platter. "Speaking of secretaries, I must find one. I must also take my seat in the Lords."

"Well, then." Matt nodded. "I am happy to help you with both tasks."

Augusta glanced at Eleanor, Madeline, and Alice. "I suppose your first event is Lady Bellamny's soirée for young ladies."

"Almost," Eleanor said. "Lady Exeter's sister-in-law, Penelope, is coming out as well. We have been invited to tea with her and two of her friends."

"I would like to accompany you." Augusta's eyes smiled. "I would love to see Dorie Exeter again. We have written to each other over the years, and she knows I'll be here soon."

"Or now," Madeline commented.

Alice exchanged a glance at her twin. And they couldn't stop from laughing. Charlotte and Louisa were silently laughing as well.

"Yes, now." Augusta grinned. "While we have you all here, Phinn and I have an announcement. We are expecting a baby in September."

"That is wonderful news," Grace exclaimed.

"More cousins!" Elizabeth said.

As everyone congratulated their sister and brother-in-law. Alice caught Eleanor's and Madeline's eyes. If they married this Season, by this time next year they could be mothers. The only question was who would they wed?

* * *

Giff and Montagu arrived at the Park as three young ladies on varying colors of Cleveland Bay mares were departing. "We need to discover a way to meet them."

"If they're making their come outs, we will not be able to avoid it." Montagu commented.

That was true. The question was at what level of Polite Society did they reside. Although, by the style of their riding habits and the quality of their horses, Giff surmised they were, like him, in the haut ton. If so, there would be no question of eligibility. "I need a lady who will be acceptable to my father." Giff couldn't help scowling. His father's idiosyncrasies made his hunt more difficult. "Excellent bloodlines are important." Yet, that wouldn't be hard. "She must also be intelligent and not afraid to stand up to him." Those weren't qualities thick on the ground. In fact, he knew he'd have trouble finding a lady who would show her true self during the Season. "He detests cowards."

"I'm surprised he did not make a match for you." His friend had obviously not thought the matter through.

"Wouldn't have worked." Even if Giff's father had tried it, his mother would have been against it. "Any lady who would do what her father or mother said wouldn't have enough strength of character to be a daughter of his."

"I don't envy you your search," Montagu said.

Neither did Giff. "I'll find her. And when I do, I'll do everything in my power to make sure she marries me."

His friend raised his brows. "I daresay it will not be that hard for either of us. We're titled, not bad looking, and wealthy."

"Speak for yourself," Giff grumbled. "Until I wed, I have only what my father gives me. I just hope I meet someone who doesn't care about a love match. Messy things, those."

"I agree." Montagu practically shuddered. "My sister didn't care to have one, but they seem to get on well enough." They rode in silence for a minute or two, until he said. "Did you say your parents were in Town?"

"They arrive tomorrow." That reminded Giff that his time would no longer be his own. "Your mother and sister?"

"Got here yesterday. M'sister's at her town house, but Mamma is staying with me."

He was glad for Montagu that his mother had come to Town. "That will be helpful. If you decide you do like a lady, she will be able to arrange a party for the theater or some other event."

"I hadn't thought of that, but you're right." He sounded as if he hadn't realized that gentlemen could not host entertainments that included ladies.

"They can also tell you which events to attend." It suddenly occurred to Giff that he was not in the habit of attending events with young ladies. "I don't have a clue which entertainments have the most eligible ladies."

"In that case, I will rely on her." Montagu appeared resigned. "As long as she doesn't try to matchmake."

Giff almost laughed out loud, but that wouldn't be helpful. "I'm not sure mothers know how not to matchmake. Mine certainly doesn't."

"This is going to be a long few months." Giff hoped not. He wanted this wife hunting to be over and done with. "I'm hungry," Montagu said. "Would you like to break your fast with me? I've instructed my cook I shall eat early, even in Town."

"Thank you." Giff could have kissed the man. The truly bad thing about living at his parents' house for the Season was that he was not yet allowed to occupy the heir's wing and had to adhere to his parent's breakfast schedule. "There won't be anything but toast to eat at my house for another two hours."

"In that case, you're welcome to take your potluck with me anytime you wish."

"Thank you." That was a relief. He'd been trying to work out a way to eat earlier on something more than toast and cheese. "I'll take you up on your offer."

They arrived at Montagu House and Giff followed his friend into the breakfast room. The aroma of food made his stomach grumble. Fortunately, no one seemed to notice. He followed Montagu to the sideboard and started filling his plate. This is what he'd order served in the mornings and at the appropriate hour. A pot of tea had been set on the table. They took their seats and began eating.

"My lord," a servant that could only be a butler handed Montagu a note. "This is from Lady Lytton."

"Thank you, Lumner." Montagu opened the seal and scanned the short missive. "I've been invited to m'sister's to join them for dinner. If you like, I'll ask if you can come as well."

Giff swallowed. All help was welcome. The more ladies he met, the more choice he'd have. "Do you think she'll know some eligible ladies?"

"Even if she doesn't, she'll be happy to help." Montagu sipped his tea. "I'll send a note around asking."

"Thank you." Giff resumed eating. He'd have to look at the invitations he'd received. But, quite frankly, he didn't think any of them would be worth his time. He needed young ladies looking to wed, not widows and high-flyers.

The next morning St. Albans met Montagu to go riding again. He'd like to get another look at the ladies he saw yesterday. The problem was gaining an introduction. No one else that could possibly know them and knew him as well was up and out that early.

"It is too bad you cannot attend Parliament," Montagu said, shocking Giff so much he almost spewed out his tea.

What the devil? "Why do you say that?"

"I was at a meeting at Worthington House yesterday. Several gentlemen I met have wives who will hold social events this Season. Of course, you know Turley. I believe even Littleton is supposed to be in Town this year. But I also met Exeter, who is also a friend of Turley's, and, of course, Worthington as well as some other peers. If you were a member, you would come to know the gentlemen more easily."

"Ah." St Albans considered his friend's statement. It made a lot of sense. "For some reason, I hadn't thought of our friends' spouses holding entertainments. Silly of me really. Of course they would. They are part of the ton, and this is the Season after all." They rode to the Serpentine. There was only one serious and insurmountable problem with what his friend had said. "I hope not to become a peer for a number of years yet. As much as m'father irritates me at times, I do not wish him dead."

"There is that." Montagu sounded sad, and Giff remembered that his father had died only a few years ago. "I hope you get your wish."

"As do I." Giff would be happier being the heir as long as he could have some real responsibility. "There they are again. The ladies. They're leaving." He was closer this time and could see that one had dark hair and the other two had blond hair. They looked almost exactly alike, but somehow different. The one on the far end caught his eye as a shaft of light shone on her. There was something about her. A quality he could not put into words. If he was a poet, he'd say that she had hair the color of the sun and a complexion like fine cream. But he wasn't, and that didn't capture what drew him to her. He was now certain he'd be introduced to her at some point. He was positive her family ran in the same circles as his. Or at least their mothers would.

"I wonder who they are," Montagu mused softly.

"We're bound to find out at some point." Giff hoped it was soon. He was thankful his mother arrived today. Montagu had been so serious about wanting a wife who hadn't a thought in her head that Giff decided to have some fun. "But it occurred to me late yesterday that if you want a lady who is a bit dim, you might want to appear the same yourself. Otherwise she could be wary of you."

At first Montagu appeared startled, then it was clear he was taking the bait. "That is exactly what I will do. Thank you for the hint."

"Anything to help a friend." Oh, good God! He was actually going to do it. This ought to be interesting.

Again, Giff joined Montagu for breakfast.

"Littleton was right. This ham is excellent." Montagu cut another piece.

"Did he tell you what he feeds them?" This was something Giff could do once he was given his estate.

Montagu swallowed. "Chestnuts."

"I'll have to suggest it to m'father." Maybe that would hurry the process along. "Have you visited Weston yet?"

"No. He has my measurements. My valet sent over my requirements. You?"

"I have an appointment later this morning. I like to go myself. It gives me something to do."

Montagu frowned. "Will your father not give you any responsibility at all?"

"Not until I'm wed." Giff drank the rest of his tea and rose. "I must be off. By the time I bathe and change, I will have to be at Weston's."

"Of course. I'll see you out."

As they strode to the door, Giff wondered if his mother might have some suggestions of things to keep him busy. In the meantime, he had his appointment at Weston's and would go through his invitations. After he'd been fitted for a few new suits, he strolled down Bond Street, then over to Bruton Street, and Piccadilly. When it occurred to him he was looking for ladies he could be introduced to, specifically one lady, he went home. It was a sad state of affairs when one was reduced to roaming the streets. After luncheon, he went to his desk and read through the cards. It was as he suspected, none of them were for events where young ladies would be. The rest of the afternoon was spent visiting Angelo's and Jackson's. But even they were thin of company. Fortunately, he arrived home as his mother's and father's personal servants along with the baggage were disembarking from the coach. That meant his parents would be here in an hour. Not for Mamma a hall filled with luggage. She wanted everything put away before she stepped into the house. Giff left a message to be notified as soon as their coach was sighted and was in the hall to greet them.

"Mamma, Papa, how was your journey?" He hugged his mother and shook his father's hand.

"Excellent," Mamma said as she removed her bonnet. "The roads were dry, and, of course, we only stay at the inns where we are known."

"What have you been doing since you arrived?" Papa asked.

"I had a card waiting from Montagu." Giff told them about their rides, but not the ladies.

"I had heard his father died," Mamma commented.

"Yes. He's here looking for a wife. He was never on the Town. We have decided to help one another."

Papa raised a brow. "That's the blind leading the blind."

Giff couldn't argue with that. Instead he gave his most ingratiating smile. "That is the reason our mothers are here as well."

Mamma graciously inclined her head. "Indeed it is. Come along with me. I expect to have received several invitations that should interest you." She glanced at their butler. "Ardley, I'd like tea in my parlor."

"Yes, your grace."

Giff followed his mother to her parlor and took a seat in front of her desk.

She donned a pair of spectacles and started going through a surprisingly large stack of cards. Tea arrived with, sandwiches, and biscuits. He helped himself and waited while she sorted the cards into three stacks.

Mamma placed her hand on one stack and glanced up. "These are invitation to entertainments where you will be able to meet eligible ladies."

"Excellent." Then his curiosity got the better of him. "What are the other two?"

Her hand moved to the stack on the right. "These are purely political events. Naturally, you may attend if you wish." She indicated the pile on the left. "These are from my friends. I will attend the events alone." She lifted one reddish brow. "Did you, by chance, receive any helpful invitations?"

Not unless she thought an orgy would be useful. "No. I have declined all the ones I received."

"I must say I am not surprised." She pulled the middle stack to her. "Most of these events will not take place until after Easter. However, there are a few balls, two Venetian Breakfasts, one musical evening, and a soiree." She took a breath. "Normally I do not approve of soirees for someone attempting to find a spouse, but this one is at Lady Thornhill's. It should be quite interesting."

"I will attend all of them." In fact, he'd go anywhere his mother suggested.

"In that case, I shall have my dresser provide a list to your valet." She pursed her lips. "It might be helpful if you were to attend a few morning visits as well. You will also want to invite any ladies in whom you are interested to ride in the Park."

Now was the time to acknowledge he had seen his carriage. "I thank you for refurbishing my curricle."

"It was my pleasure." Mamma smiled. "I enjoyed the process so much I decided to brighten up my landau." She glanced at the clock. "It is time to dress for dinner. I will see you in the drawing room."

"Until then." Giff rose. He'd have a wife sooner than later. He was sure of it.