Page 6 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

The three women went upstairs and handed the babe to her wet nurse. They toured the nursery and Adalyn was filled with eagerness to create her own nursery for her children.

They returned to a small parlor where Tessa kept a desk for correspondence. She retrieved two pieces of parchment.

“I will sit at my desk and record your suggestions. Remember that your lists might change as the Season progresses but this will be a good place to start.”

Adalyn watched as Tessa labeled each list with her cousins’ names and then looked up expectantly.

“I want someone who likes to laugh and will make me laugh,” she said.

“A sense of humor is important to some,” Tessa agreed, scribbling away. “Do you wish the same, Louisa?”

Her cousin frowned. “Perhaps. Put it on my list but it is not the first thing I think of.”

“Then what is?” she asked. “Of course, many other things are important to me. I do know that laughter keeps happiness in a relationship and helps keep people young. That is why I thought of it first.”

“A good point,” Louisa agreed. “I do want it on my list but it would not be a deciding factor for me.”

“What would?” Tessa asked.

“I want respect,” Louisa said firmly. “My husband must think highly of me.”

“Write that on my list, as well,” Adalyn said. “I want my husband to hold me in esteem.”

The three discussed their lists for over an hour. What made for a good husband and a solid marriage. Attributes such as patience, kindness, fidelity, and intelligence appeared on both lists. Tessa also started a second list at the bottom of both women’s pages for the things they specifically did not want in a future mate. On that list went gambling, excessive drinking, and being a braggart. Adalyn adamantly opposed wedding a man in financial need, while Louisa didn’t mind if her fiancé sought a huge dowry.

“I have seen more than one gentleman inherit an estate worth next to nothing,” Louisa claimed. “Due to the negligence of his father. Why should a man be punished for the sins of his father? If my dowry can help bolster the family’s finances, I am not opposed to seeing it used in that way.”

Adalyn disagreed, silently thinking if gambling ran in a father’s blood it was a strong possibility the son would inherit the same lust for it. Still, she would wait and only voice an objection if she believed Louisa was making a dreadful mistake in her choice of husband.

The only other thing they disagreed upon was a man’s nature. Adalyn was adamant that she wanted someone sociable and unreserved. She herself was gregarious and forthcoming and thought her best match would be a man possessing those traits. Louisa, on the other hand, didn’t mind if her betrothed was quiet and a bit guarded. Because of that, Adalyn thought the Duke of Camden would be a good candidate for her cousin. Tessa seemed to think a great deal of Camden. Adalyn decided the man would be too reserved for her tastes, though.

Tessa sighed. “I am still upset that neither of your lists includes love.”

“Just because you are deliriously happy with Spencer doesn’t mean we will be able to find love,” Adalyn pointed out. “The qualities we have pondered and included are more than enough for me. If a man is affable, I might even grow to love him over time.”

“I agree,” Louisa seconded. “You were most fortunate, Tessa. You found an exceptional man—and you both fell in love. I believe Adalyn and I will be happy if we can find a mature bachelor with several of the characteristics which we seek.”

“Let me say this then,” Tessa said. “You simply must kiss any man you are considering as a husband.”

“Why?” Louisa asked, baffled.

“Because physical attraction and desire for one another is very important in a marriage,” Tessa shared.

Adalyn scoffed at that notion. “I have been kissed more than a few times over the years. I don’t think it’s important at all.”

Tessa gave her a knowing look. “You simply haven’t been kissing the right men, Adalyn.”

“I haven’t kissed a man at all,” Louisa lamented.

“Truly?” she asked.

Louisa shrugged. “You know I only go to a few social events. Mama, before she passed, pounded into my head that I was never to kiss a man before we wed. It would ruin me.”

“Your mother was a fine woman,” Tessa said, “but she was wrong about this, Louisa. Promise me—the both of you—that if you do find a suitable man that you are seriously considering as a husband that you will find a way to kiss him without being discovered. I don’t want either of you forced into a marriage if caught in the act.”

“I refuse to be ruined,” Adalyn declared. “But I will take a married lady’s advice and find a way to encourage a man I am considering to give me a kiss or two in private.”

Louisa sighed. “Something tells me I’m not going to be good at this at all.”

“Just be yourself,” Adalyn told her cousin. “You are marvelous as you are. Don’t change for any man. He will like you for you. If he wants you to behave differently, then he is not the one for you. For either of us.”

“So, do you both believe your lists are complete at this point?” Tessa asked.

They agreed and Tessa handed them their copies and smiled. “We accomplished much by composing your requirements for a husband. Perhaps I can help both of you in your search to find the right man to serve in that role. In the meantime, your search starts tomorrow evening at dinner. With the Duke of Camden.”

Adalyn would leave the duke to Louisa.

But at least the list in her hands gave her a better picture of the husband she would seek this Season.

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