Page 38 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

Chapter Twelve

Tonight was theopening night of the Season.

Adalyn watched as Bridget styled her hair. The week leading up to the Season had gone quickly. Uncle Edgar had left the country for Vienna with a group of English diplomats and Louisa had moved into the Uxbridge household. She was across the hall from Adalyn getting ready now and the cousins had already spent many days and nights in conversation.

Adalyn had also taken tea with several leading members of theton, gaining as much information as she could about the new group of young ladies who would make their come-out this Season. She had decided to limit her matchmaking abilities to the three bachelors she had previously promised to help, in part because she wanted to also concentrate on Louisa and herself making the best possible match. With both of them wishing to find a husband, that was where her focus would be.

It was a shame that Ev and Louisa had decided they would not suit. Adalyn believed her cousin to possess all the qualities which would have made her an excellent duchess. On the other hand, it was probably for the best because it would have torn at her heart to see Ev happy with Louisa.

She no longer could think of him as Camden or His Grace. He was Everett—or actually, Ev—to her. She had not seen him since he had come to call and they had composed his list. It had surprised her that he did not truly care for beauty or the size of a woman’s dowry. She had never met a man who didn’t want one if not both of those things, even if they themselves had adequate wealth.

At least her dowry was ample. She still, unlike Louisa, did not want to wed someone in dire need of that money. She understood what Louisa meant because Adalyn had seen men inherit titles, only to find themselves stripped of riches by a father who had lost the family fortune. She believed that tendency to gamble possibly ran in a family and wanted to avoid it at all costs.

“Looking forward to tonight, my lady?” Bridget asked as she stepped back to admire her handiwork.

“I am. Probably more than my first Season.”

“It’s because you are ready to settle down with a husband finally,” the maid told her. “You’re looking at everything with different eyes this year.”

The lady’s maid studied her carefully. “I hope you find what you are looking for, my lady.”

“I hope so, too, Bridget.”

Adalyn rose from her dressing table and went across the hall, where Tilly was fastening a locket around Louisa’s neck.

“Thank you, Tilly,” Louisa said and rose to face Adalyn. “Oh, you look beautiful.”

“I was about to compliment you for the very same thing, Louisa. Madame Chevalier has outdone herself. Are you excited about tonight?”

Her cousin nodded. “It is still hard for me to imagine going to so many different events this time around.”

“You will receive many invitations,” Adalyn assured her. “Once others know that Uncle Edgar has left for the congress and that you are staying with us, they will be sent here.”

“You said you have subtly put out the word that we both aim to wed?”

“I have. I took tea with the right people this past week. Not only did I learn much about the girls making their debuts, but I also made certain that others were aware you and I are going into this Season with the goal of finding our husbands.”

“I am relying on you, Adalyn, to steer me away from the rogues and rakes.”

She chuckled. “It will be hard to avoid all of them,” she shared. “We will have to dance with a few of them, else we would hardly dance at all. I do know, however, which ones to tell you to avoid and not grow serious about.”

“I am reassured by that,” Louisa said with conviction. “Shall we go downstairs?”

Adalyn slipped her arm through her cousin’s and led her downstairs to the foyer. Papa awaited them and complimented both on their new gowns. Mama arrived and they went to the waiting carriage. It took three-quarters of an hour to travel but a few blocks and the coach came to a halt. The carriage door opened and a footman aided them from the vehicle.

Adalyn looked about, seeing the swell of people moving toward Lord and Lady Pauling’s townhouse. They joined the crush and entered, spying Tessa. Naturally, she was with Spencer and it did not surprise Adalyn that Ev accompanied them.

He looked perfectly splendid in his formal evening wear, his coal black hair gleaming. She saw hesitancy in his eyes as he looked warily about.

Then their gazes met and he seemed to stand a bit taller.

There were only two couples separating them in the receiving line and Tessa encouraged both to move ahead of them so they could all stand together.

“I am so happy to see you both,” Tessa declared.

She and Louisa greeted Spencer and Ev, Adalyn careful to address him formally since others were nearby.

“Is it appropriate to compliment both of you ladies on your attire?” Ev asked.

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