Page 3 of The Viscount's Unwanted Bride
“Perhaps she’ll release her grip on you as we get further into the season.” Kate chose a bite-sized piece of cake and tasted it. “Mm.” Lemon. Tart but sweet. Very nice.
“What about you?” Sophie asked. “What will you wear?”
Kate hesitated, not wanting to come across as a braggart for being granted more leeway in her choice of attire. “Do you recall that ice-blue design I showed you?”
Sophie’s lips formed an O. “That will look so pretty with your eyes.”
“I hope so.” Kate knew that the color of her dress could determine whether her eyes looked like a smoky shade of gray or just dull like pieces of rock.
Sophie sipped her tea and then set the cup down. “So, now that the time is almost upon us, which men ought I stay far away from?”
Kate considered this for a moment. “The Earl of Winn is a drunkard and a lecher. The Duke of Wight is terrifying. He’s lost three wives.Three.All younger than him. That doesn’t seem… coincidental.”
“Mm.” Sophie nodded. “I’ve heard about him. I’ll be keeping my distance. Mother certainly won’t push the matter. Not after… you know, Emma. Who else?”
“As far as I’m aware, most of the other titled peers have nothing particularly wrong with them. At least, not that I know about. Some of them are dreadful bores but not nefarious. Then there are the younger sons. Among their number are a handful of rakes and fortune hunters. Not all of them. Some are pleasant. I’ll point out which groups to avoid.”
Sophie grabbed a second cake. “Thank you, Kate. I’m so fortunate to have your help.”
Kate waved her hand dismissively. As far as she was concerned, she was the lucky one to have Sophie with her this season. She had made some friends among the other debutantes, but no one she was so close with and none so genuine. Everyone had an agenda, and although Kate had the social acumen to operate within thetoneffectively, it was nice to spend time with someone she didn’t have to be on guard with.
“Are there any gentlemen you have a particular interest in?” Sophie asked before eating the cake in only a couple of bites.
Kate shook her head. “If there were anyone I cared to get to know better last season, I might well be married by now. I’m hoping there will be some different men seeking brides this year. How do you feel about your presentation at court?”
Sophie had been presented earlier in the week.
She pursed her lips. “I think it went well.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. I, um, have a favor to ask if you’re willing.”
“Of course.” Sophie grinned. “Anything for you.”
Kate laughed. “Wait until you find out what it is first.”
“Ooh, is it something scandalous?”
“No,” Kate protested, her cheeks heating. “Well, not really. It’s just that… I want to marry this season. If I find a gentleman of interest, will you help me make his acquaintance as best I can?”
Sophie’s eyebrows rose. “What exactly are you asking of me?”
Kate glanced around, making sure no one was nearby to overhear her, before whispering, “You know how protective my mother can be. Perhaps you could just distract her a little so she doesn’t run men off before I have the chance to get to know them?”
Sophie narrowed her eyes. “Only if you promise to be careful. Lady Drake worries about you for a reason.”
“I know, but it isn’t as if I want to sneak around, having secret liaisons. I simply want more than two minutes of conversation with a man.”
Her mother was an excellent society mama and meant well, but she could be a little bit overly concerned with propriety at times. Spending an extra handful of minutes with a gentleman inside a room where half of thetoncould see them would hardly render Kate unmarriageable.
“I will do what I can.” Mischief glittered in Sophie’s blue eyes. “On another note, did you bring any of your sketches with you?”
“I did, but the sketchbook is in the carriage.”
“Excellent. I wonder if Mother will accompany us to the modiste if I ask to go there now. She is always more open to different styles when you’re around.”
“There’s no harm in asking.” Perhaps Kate could show Madam Baptiste her latest sketches and see if she had a suitable fabric to create the dresses with.
“Wait here,” Sophie said. “I’ll be back in just a while.”
