Page 58 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

He hadn’t thought to do so and merely said, “No, my lord. What is involved?”

“You and I, along with our solicitors, will need to meet together as soon as possible to arrange this. When we return home, I can send footmen to each of our solicitors. Are you free tomorrow? The sooner we start, the better. Although I doubt there will be any problems, sometimes these things can take time.”

“Yes, tomorrow is fine, my lord. Whenever it is convenient for you. Is there anything I need to know going into this? Having been in the army, I never thought to wed and am unaware of my role in these contract negotiations.”

“I see.” Uxbridge paused a moment. “The marriage settlements are sometimes referred to as marriage articles. They will establish the financial agreements regarding your marriage to Adalyn. They include what will happen to her dowry, which I will tell you is quite substantial.”

He chuckled. “I assure you, my lord, that I am not marrying Addie for her dowry.”

Uxbridge smiled. “I know. They will also dictate the terms of her pin money and establish her income in the event she becomes a widow. Your heir, naturally, will inherit your title and all entailed properties, but a properly executed marriage settlement will provide for the other children that result from your union. That will include the amount to be set aside for your future daughters’ dowries.”

Baffled, he said, “But we do not know how many daughters we will have.”

“The amount still needs to be stipulated in the settlements,” Uxbridge insisted. “The more girls you have, the arranged sum will need to be divided. Not evenly, though. That is left to your discretion. However, you may add to the dowries during your lifetime, Your Grace, if you so choose though that is not a requirement.”

“Have no fear, Lord Uxbridge. Your granddaughters will be well taken care of.”

The earl smiled. “Having only one daughter, I am especially partial to girls. It is good to hear you say this, Camden.”

“Might I ask what pin money is? You mentioned it earlier.”

“Ah, that is the money Adalyn is able to spend without having to answer to you. Some wives use their pin money to purchase their annual wardrobes.”

The thought of Addie having to pay for her own clothes appalled him. “Once again, my lord, I will assure you that I will pay for everything Addie needs or wants.”

“Still, a provision for pin money will be written into the settlements,” the earl insisted. “Adalyn should not have to come to you for money to buy a book or parasol.”

Everett nodded. “So, this pin money gives her a bit of independence.”

“Exactly.”

They arrived at the Uxbridge townhouse and Rainey, the butler, met them. Lord Uxbridge instructed him to send footmen to both his and Everett’s solicitors, asking each man to call tomorrow morning at eleven o’clock in order to begin hammering out the marriage contracts. Everett didn’t think any hammering would be necessary. Whatever Addie’s father wanted in the contracts, he would make certain it appeared.

The two men went upstairs to the drawing room. It was much later than Everett had thought it would be since the wait at Doctors’ Common had been so long.

Entering the room, he saw Addie sitting with two gentlemen, talking animatedly. A surge of jealousy rushed through him at the sight. She glanced in his direction and he hoped he might receive one of those special, secret smiles that he saw Tessa bestow upon Spencer. Instead, her smile faltered and she quickly returned her focus to her guests.

As he made his way toward her, he saw her cousin seated beside her and realized the two gentlemen must be callers for Louisa. Both women rose and the two men did the same.

“Ah, Your Grace,” Addie said formally. “How nice to see you.”

She smiled at him—but the smile did not reach her eyes.

---