Page 44 of Made for the Marquess (Second Sons of London 4)

Don’t be put off by me revealing this, but I have asked Miss Nicholls to join us for tea today. She is already committed to dinner with her aunt and uncle. I hope you will wish to see her. I like her, Percy—and I know you do, as well. Taking tea with her would be a good thing since you could renew your acquaintance, as well as remind her that she promised to waltz with you tomorrow night.

I hope this finds you in good spirits and that we will see you shortly.

Fondly, Louisa

Postscript – Owen says hello—and that he will darken your doorstep from three o’clock on in order to see that you come to us once you arrive back in town.

He chuckled, imagining Owen lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce and force him to come to tea and dinner.

No force would be necessary at all.

Percy was willing—and very ready—to be in Minta’s company again. Especially before the Season opened.

*

Minta changed intoa light pink gown for tea. Though she had never worn the color before, thinking it clashed with her copper hair, Madame Chevalier had corrected her misconception. Minta found she quite liked the color on her, thinking it made her skin rosy and her blue eyes stand out.

She decided to leave her hair as Bertha had styled it this morning and dismissed the maid. She still had another quarter-hour before she needed to leave for Louisa’s and took that time gathering the packages she would bring with her this afternoon. The past two weeks had been happy ones for her as she got to know the Three Cousins, whom she now called her new friends, just as the Second Sons referred to them in the same manner. The women had taken Minta under their wings and she had spent much of her free time with them, shopping for hats and gloves, visiting bookshops, taking strolls, and gathering for tea almost daily.

Lady Danbury had asked Minta to dinner this evening, as well, but she decided she should stay home with her aunt and uncle since she hadn’t spent much time with them lately. Uncle West had said they could practice their waltzing tonight for the last time. He had given her a brief lesson each morning after breakfast and her confidence now soared as she danced it.

It saddened her, though, to think her first waltz in front of Polite Society at tomorrow night’s ball would not be with Lord Kingston. She had promised it to him before he had left town. Due to her budding friendship with the Three Cousins, Minta had learned that the marquess’ steward, a longtime family employee, had died from a sudden heart attack, leaving the estate in turmoil. Lord Kingston had given the steward a long list of things he wished to see accomplished at Kingwood. With the man’s death, the marquess would have to see to the job himself, at least until a reliable, experienced manager could be found and hired.

She had mentioned the situation to her uncle and he had told her it was actually quite hard to find a competent estate manager. He claimed them worth their weight in gold. With sad eyes, he had warned Minta that she probably would not see Lord Kingston for much—if any—of the Season since he would most likely be tied up in the country.

“It is perhaps for the best,” he had said gently. “The marquess is new to the title. Working out matters on his estate will give him time to settle better into his role. He seemed a bit uncomfortable in polite company. By next Season, he may be better equipped to enter the ballrooms of theton.”

That thought had depressed her. She didn’t want to wait around for him. Even if she did ignore any suitors from this Season, there was no guarantee that Lord Kingston would be interested in offering for her next Season. She was already two and twenty and felt life was passing her by. Waiting for him was not an option and Minta resolved to forget about the handsome marquess and look to her future.

Placing the wrapped packages in a box she’d had Bertha locate and bring upstairs, Minta now carried it with her. This time, she would be taking Uncle West’s coach to tea.

“Let me get that for you, Miss Nicholls,” a footman in the foyer said and quickly hurried to Minta, lifting the box from her.

“It isn’t very heavy,” she protested.

“I will take it to the coach for you,” he insisted.

They went outside and another footman handed her up. She took a seat and the footman with the box rested it on the floor of the carriage by her feet.

“Do not try to carry it in, Miss Nicholls. Have one of the Danbury footmen do so for you,” the servant warned.

She agreed and he closed the door. Moments later, the vehicle rolled into motion.

Minta hoped her presents would be well received by her three friends. The women had been so welcoming to her, insisting that she call them by their first names when in private. She had met their four children, as well. Tessa had two, Analise, who was just over two years of age, and Adam, who had recently turned five months. Adalyn’s boy, Edwin, was fourteen months old. Louisa’s daughter, Margaret, was eight months. Minta had played with Analise and Edwin and held the other two babes, which brought a deep longing within her. Again, she hoped she would not turn up barren as Aunt Phyllis had. She had sympathy for her aunt, who had seen many of her friends have several children while her own nest remained empty.

After the short distance, the carriage pulled up at Louisa’s townhouse. Her box was taken from her and she was ushered inside, being led up to the drawing room, where the Danburys and Camdens were already present. The footman placed the box on a table as her friends greeted her.

Adalyn’s curiosity was obvious. “What have you brought, Minta?” the duchess asked.

“Presents for the Three Cousins,” she said cheerfully. “And you may not open yours until Tessa arrives.”

His Grace roared with laughter and he bent and pressed a kiss to the top of his wife’s head. “It will probably kill you to wait,” he teased.

Minta loved how playful all three Second Sons were with their wives although sometimes she did squirm a bit at the open affection they displayed. She never saw Uncle West and Aunt Phyllis behave in such a fashion and she doubted she would see members of thetondoing so tomorrow night. Still, she appreciated the fact that her new friends all had husbands who adored them.

It would be lovely if she could find a man who showed her the same affection.

Again, her thoughts turned to Lord Kingston and she quickly banished them. She would pin her hopes on Adalyn finding her a match, which the duchess had promised to do. Lord Boxling had also promised to introduce his friends to her. Surely, between the two of them, they could help Minta find a good husband.

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