Page 11 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

Chapter Four

Everett had neverheard of such a thing. Yet it didn’t surprise him. Nothing about this woman did.

Disgust filled him as he regarded her. “You actually run a business that places eligible couples together?”

Lady Adalyn’s laughter tinkled as bells. “No, Your Grace, not a business. I would never charge for my services or advice. In fact, I don’t consider them services at all. Merely helping friends and acquaintances in Polite Society to make the best match possible.”

“I think that is repulsive.”

Her eyebrows arched. “And why would you consider that repulsive, Your Grace? The parents in Polite Society have always done that very thing, arranging for their children to wed someone of their liking. Sometimes, they match their children to the offspring of an old family friend. More often, they choose a spouse who will elevate their own family’s standing. It isn’t often two people meet and fall in love as Tessa and Spencer did. I have seen too many unhappy unions and merely wish to help others find a partner they won’t become miserable with.”

She could have been speaking of his parents. Everett knew theirs had been an arranged marriage.

“I realize you have never been involved in the Season in previous years but I can assure you what I do for others, by putting them together, gives them a fighting chance to actually enjoy their marriages.”

He regarded her with suspicion. “Why do you say so?”

“Many times, a couple becomes betrothed when they barely know one another. An unwritten rule of theton—which you should become familiar with those, Your Grace—is that a man is only to dance with a woman once per evening. If he dances twice with her, it is a sure sign to others of his interest. Even that he is staking his claim to her.”

“Dancing twice in an evening indicates that?” he asked in disbelief.

“Oh, yes, Your Grace. And if you danced thrice with the same young lady? Why, it would be a downright scandal.” She grew serious. “But what I am saying is that with such limited contact, many young ladies receive an offer of marriage from a gentleman when they have barely been in that man’s company. Even if she has danced with him half a dozen times, I will tell you that most dances are not conducive to conversation. Unfortunately, conversation in thetonis usually limited to the weather.”

“The weather? What does the weather have to do with anything?”

“That is the point, Your Grace. The weather is an inane but safe topic. No controversy involved. And because of that, most couples who become betrothed know little to nothing about one another. Even if a gentleman has called upon a lady in her home, it has always been with other visitors around. A chaperone must always be in the room. One or both of her parents. An elderly aunt. Even younger sisters or brothers, watching and listening.”

Adalyn paused before continuing. “Having been out in society for so long, I am friendly with many gentlemen in theton. I also keep a watchful eye on the new girls who make their come-out each Season. Because of this, I have a better idea as to which couples might suit one another. Gentlemen, in particular, come to me and ask for me to help choose their brides every Season.”

He looked at her incredulously. “But you have yet to wed yourself, Lady Adalyn,” he pointed out.

She shrugged. “It hasn’t stopped anyone from asking me. I am happy to comply with their wishes. As a matter of fact, I have already received contact from two such gentlemen this week. Both have recently come into their titles and know their carefree bachelor days are behind them. It is time for them to select a wife and provide an heir to the title. I will admit that both of these gentlemen are rogues and have chased skirts since they were wet behind their ears. They have no idea what to look for in a wife. Because of that, and our association with one another, they trust me to advise them.”

“So they turn over the biggest decision they will ever make to you?”

Lady Adalyn grinned triumphantly. “Yes, Your Grace. You now understand my role.” She eyed him with speculation. “Because I have proven to be not only reliable but even talented in this area, you might wish to place your trust in me, as well. You are new to Polite Society. Having been in the military so long, Spencer is most likely the closest friend you have who is in society. He didn’t bother to look at any women last Season because he met Tessa before it even began and knew he wanted to make her his countess. Therefore, you have no male friends or family members who could advise you in this matter. I, on the other hand, am merely a third party and would give you fair advice as I evaluate brides for you. Of all those who wed in theton, it is dukes who must be the most careful.”

“Why do you say that?”

Lady Adalyn’s laughter tinkled again, like music to his ears. “Because dukes lead all of Polite Society. There are but a handful of you and your peers look to you to set the tone and pace for everything from politics to what is the most fashionable drink. Consequently, your duchesses are the same. They are the women who lead the other women of Polite Society, be it in matters of fashion or ways to influence their husband’s ear on loftier matters. I would say it has been more than one duchess who bent the ear of her duke and influenced his vote in the House of Lords.”

She smiled brightly at him. “Because of my experience in these matters, it would be ideal if you put yourself in my hands and allow me to select a bride for you.”

“That is the most outrageous statement anyone has ever made to me, my lady. Choosing a wife will be the most important commitment I ever undertake—and I plan to make this decision on my own with no help from you.”

She nodded sagely. “I admire you for your effort, Your Grace. I do wish you the best of luck in your endeavor. Remember, though, that I have warned you. Just as unattached females are paraded about on the Marriage Mart by hopeful mamas, you will be in a category all your own. Thetonwill scrutinize your every move, with assertive, overbearing mamas trying to convince you to wed their daughters. I wouldn’t put it past your peers to do the same.”

She smiled warmly at him, causing a tingle to ripple through him. “If you change your mind, I am available and would be more than happy to help you. Tessa is a sister to me and I absolutely adore Spencer. Because they also think of you as family, I will do the same and be happy to aid your search. It would require spending a bit of time with you. I would need to learn your likes and dislikes. See what you value and what might be important to you in a marriage. Just let me know what you decide.”

By now, Everett realized Miss Goulding had been singing and he had missed most of the song she had performed because it ended moments later. He studied her carefully, noting her poise and the grace in which she held herself and decided he needed no help from this busybody beside him in finding a bride. Miss Goulding would do nicely.

All he had to do now was to figure out how to offer for her.

He would talk it over with Spence, of course, and also Tessa if it came to that.

But he had no intention or desire to consult Lady Adalyn about anything. She might be Tessa’s beloved cousin but he had taken a dislike to her. She was far too forward and he abhorred the idea that she dabbled in matchmaking. She would be the last person he would consult regarding a bride.

Yet as her vanilla-scented perfume wafted over to him, he once again tamped down the urge to lean over and inhale her. In no way would he ever consider a woman such as Lady Adalyn for his duchess. He believed her to be a hoyden. Far too opinionated and unlikeable. He might not seek a love match as Spence had but Everett knew he wanted a quiet, docile woman to wed and bear his children. Lady Adalyn was the last woman to be his duchess.

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