Page 10 of Made for the Marquess (Second Sons of London 4)

Chapter Four

“Well, that wascertainly disappointing,” Aunt Phyllis declared the moment the footman closed the door.

Uncle West winked at Minta and said, “I believe I will go to the library and read for a bit in order to allow you two to discuss the evening. Goodnight, Minta dear.”

Her uncle departed and her aunt said, “Shall we retire to the drawing room?”

Minta knew Aunt Phyllis wanted to gossip about their guests in private and so she agreed to accompany her aunt upstairs again.

Once they were settled in the drawing room, Aunt Phyllis said, “I am so very displeased,” she began.

“What is wrong?” Minta asked, already having a good idea what her aunt would complain about.

“First of all, the evening ended so early.”

“Well, Lord and Lady Danbury did mention their departure early tomorrow morning. I am certain they wished to be well-rested before they set out for home. I thought they were lovely,” she added.

“Oh, I did like them both very much. I had met Lady Danbury previously and she has such a sweet disposition. And that Lord Danbury,” her aunt said, her eyes gleaming. “What a charmer that one is. Lady Danbury has her hands full with that rascal, I daresay.”

“They seem very devoted to one another,” she commented, dreading what they would speak of next.

She didn’t have long to wait because her aunt then said, “The marquess was a sore disappointment. While quite nice-looking, he barely said two words the entire evening.” Aunt Phyllis looked at Minta sympathetically. “I had hoped you meeting him before the Season began would give you an advantage over the others seeking a husband. Now, however, I can’t see how he would be the one for you. You are full of life, Niece. I found the Marquess of Kingston to be most dull. Most likely, he is arrogant and thinks he is above others.”

“I think you are mistaken about him, Aunt,” she said quickly, springing to his defense. “True, he was very quiet but he was in the presence of strangers to him.”

“He could have made more of an effort,” her aunt insisted. “Of course, he will not have any trouble finding a bride if he does plan to look for one on the Marriage Mart. After all, he is a marquess. His title and looks alone will stir interest in him among theton.”

His looks had certainly stirred Minta. Though she usually found darker-haired men more attractive, the blond marquess had her heart aflutter from the moment he’d arrived. He was just over six feet and possessed an athletic frame, with broad shoulders and long legs. His warm, brown eyes were quite observant, taking in everything about him. If a Greek statue had come to life, she believed it would appear exactly like the Marquess of Kingston.

She also believed he was uncomfortable in their company for a few reasons. Sera could be incredibly shy around those she had never met and Minta thought Lord Kingston might be the same. Once her sister got to know someone, she opened up and was relaxed in his or her company. Perhaps the same could be said of Lord Kingston. Lord and Lady Danbury appeared to be extremely close to the marquess and she didn’t think the couple would suffer fools gladly.

Another thought had come to her during dinner when the marquess ate silently. He had recently inherited his title, a title which had belonged to his brother. That meant he had not been raised to be a peer of the realm and had never been in many social situations. Second sons almost always committed to the military and from what Lord Danbury had said, both he and Lord Kingston had not only attended university together but also served in His Majesty’s army side-by-side for a good many years. With the previous marquess’ death so recent, it meant that Lord Kingston had not held the title for long and was still in mourning for his brother. She knew from her visit here to Westfield just how busy her uncle was with the estate and his various responsibilities. Lord Kingston had left the world of the military behind and now joined ranks with those members of Polite Society. It was possible tonight’s dinner had been his first foray into it. If he was truly shy, as she suspected, he had probably remained silent out of fear that he would make some mistake.

“I think, given time, Lord Kingston will settle into his title,” Minta proclaimed.

“Even if he is a marquess, I think you can do better,” Aunt Phyllis declared.

“Better?” she chuckled. “Better would mean a duke, Aunt. I don’t see any duke—or any marquess, for that matter—wanting to wed the daughter of a lowly assistant to the Upper Canadian Administrator.”

Aunt Phyllis took Minta’s hand and squeezed it. “Oh, I want so much for you and your sister. I was fortunate enough to wed an earl and have led a life of luxury. My parents were so disappointed when your mother married Radford. No, don’t get your hackles up, Minta. I like your father a great deal and I know how much my sister loves him. It has been a more difficult life for her, though. She has had things to worry about that I am never troubled by. She is a wonderful mother and I must admit I am a tad jealous for her having two such wonderful girls as you and Sera. Westlake and I are in a position to help you and your twin and that is what we will do. Do not sell yourself short, Minta. You are a natural beauty and so friendly and kind. I believe you will attract a gentleman with a title.”

“He would have to be incredibly wealthy, Aunt. You know I have a piddling dowry.”

“Not anymore,” her aunt revealed. “Westlake and I talked it over and he is going to add five thousand pounds to the amount your father has set aside. He will do the same for Sera once she returns and makes her come-out.”

Shock rippled through Minta, hearing the large sum. Her current dowry was two hundred pounds, which she believed would not have attracted anyone but the wealthiest of suitors who had no need of it.

“That is extremely generous of you and Uncle West,” she said in awe. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

“It will be thanks enough to see you have a successful Season and wed at the end of it. Are you open to that idea since your parents and Sera are still in Canada?”

“We talked of that very thing,” she said. “Both Papa and Mama urged me to live my own life. Papa said if I received an offer and wished to accept it, I should marry as soon as possible and not wait for a time when they might return to England. He said Uncle West could act on his behalf as far as negotiating the marriage contracts. I believe he was to write Uncle and share all of this. Perhaps he already has.”

“That is good to know, Minta dear.”

“I don’t know if I will ever be able to convey my gratitude, Aunt Phyllis. You and Uncle West have already provided me with a wardrobe for my Season and now this dowry.”

Her aunt cradled Minta’s cheek and then kissed it. “You two girls are the closest we will ever have to having children. I hope we will remain close for many years and that you will have a household of children of your own for us to spoil.”

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