Page 19 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

Chapter Six

Everett arrived atthe Goulding residence, hoping he might have the chance to meet Sir Edgar. Most likely, though, the man was at the War Office and would not be at home at this time of day. He wondered who would chaperone Miss Goulding when he called upon her now. She had no mother. He knew of no relatives living with her and supposed like last night, a servant would serve as her chaperone, much like the one who had accompanied her and Lady Adalyn in the carriage last night.

He knocked on the door and was greeted by a butler, who said, “Ah, Your Grace. You are expected. Please accompany me to the drawing room.”

Everett followed the servant up the stairs, telling himself repeatedly that Louisa Goulding was the ideal woman to become the Duchess of Camden, even as he thought he caught a whiff of vanilla in the air. It would help that he already was friends with Tessa because he knew the two couples could spend many happy hours in one another’s company. Everett looked upon Spence and Tessa as his family and knew Miss Goulding felt the same toward them. He hoped their conversation now would not be stilted, especially since it would be just the two of them. Last night, conversation flowed freely, with no awkward pauses. He had high hopes Miss Goulding would think him appropriate as a husband.

He did understand from what Tessa said that Miss Goulding most likely needed to attend a full slate of events this Season. That meant he would show his interest in her and yet give her freedom to enjoy the social affairs she attended. It also meant seeing her talk and dance with other gentlemen.

He supposed he might be jealous of her doing so. At least the notion he should be jealous occurred to him. He shrugged off the lack of that feeling, not wanting to place too much importance on what Spence and Tessa had said about love and physical desire.

Clearing his mind, he paused at the door of the drawing room, allowing the butler to announce him. Once that occurred, the butler nodded at Everett and he entered the room.

As he crossed to where Miss Goulding sat, she rose and put a smile on her face. Immediately, he saw that she was distressed. He glanced about and noted no servant to act as a chaperone for her. He wondered if he should say something about the lack of a chaperone and her mood before deciding he would take his cue from her.

“Good morning, Your Grace,” Miss Goulding greeted. “How delightful that you should call upon me this morning.”

He took her hand and kissed it and then stared into her eyes. Despite what he had just decided, he asked, “Is something wrong, Miss Goulding? You seem a bit out of sorts.”

She withdrew her hand and indicated where he should sit. Everett did so as she took a seat in a chair to his right.

“I received a bit of news I was not pleased with, Your Grace. Please, do not worry about it. Let us enjoy our visit instead.”

“Should we be here in this room alone, Miss Goulding?” he asked. “From what I gather, this is not appropriate.”

“You are correct, Your Grace. If someone were to come in and find us alone together, it would ensure a scandal. There would be two outcomes. One, you would be a gentleman and offer marriage to me. Or, you could excuse yourself and move on, never speaking to me again. The gossipmongers would rule and take the knowledge with them to every event that they attended. I would, in effect, be ruined and no gentleman would ask for my hand in marriage.”

She gazed at him steadily. “However, we are inside my home, with no one from thetonto see us. Therefore, we can enjoy our conversation in private without worries.”

Her words startled and intrigued him. “What happens when other gentlemen have called upon you, Miss Goulding? During the season, I gather that is common for bachelors to do so. Do you have a relative who comes to stay with you or even a servant who sits in the room?”

“I never have gentlemen callers, Your Grace.”

Her words startled him. “Why?” he asked. “You are a most beautiful woman, well-spoken and thoughtful. I cannot imagine why you don’t have a bevy of suitors beating a path to your door.”

“After my mother died, Papa was despondent. I was the only one who could cheer him up. We became quite close and I began, even before my come-out, to serve as his hostess. Over the years, I have continued in that role, both as his hostess and confidante. He has many meetings here, instead of at the War Office. Bonaparte’s spies are everywhere and, many times, Papa does not trust holding meetings where vital information will be given at his office. He told me he needed me and asked that I not pursue a husband when I made my come-out. Because of that, I have only attended a few events each Season and made it clear that I would accept no gentlemen callers.”

Everett saw the sadness in her sapphire eyes. “I am sorry for that, Miss Goulding. With the war at its tail end, however, perhaps this would be the year for you to finally pursue a match.”

She shot to her feet, wringing her hands, and he stood, as well. Desperation filled her face and she surprised him when she grasped his waistcoat in her hands.

“I must ask you something that I have never asked another,” she said. Swallowing hard, she gazed intently into his eyes. “Would you kiss me, Your Grace?”

“K-kiss you?” he sputtered.

“Yes,” she insisted. “Oh, I know I am mucking this up. That you took an interest in me last night and today was some sort of test that I would need to pass in order for you to decide if you wished to continue seeing me or not. Tessa insists that any man I am truly interested in must be one I kiss.”

Her anguish was obvious as she continued. “I think you are very nice, Your Grace. You are friends with Spencer and I think the world of him. He has made Tessa so very happy and he is also a wonderful father to Analise. But . . .” Her voice trailed off.

“But what?” he prodded, uncomfortable that she still stood so close to him, her fists bunching his waistcoat so tightly that he couldn’t draw away even if he wished to do so.

“I don’t really want you to kiss me,” Miss Goulding bemoaned. “You are perfect, Your Grace. A war hero. Handsome. Most intelligent. I know I should feel something—but I truly don’t. I thought if we kissed then perhaps it would change things.”

“I see.”

Everett really didn’t see anything at all. Miss Goulding was rambling and upset and the complete opposite of the woman he had met last night.

“I have never been kissed,” she blurted out. “So I hope you know how to do this.”

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