Page 34 of Devoted to the Duke (The St. Clairs 1)

“Remember, once you’ve made your selection, you must wrap it up quickly. Seek out her father. Make an appointment with him for tomorrow morning. Remain mysterious but know he should have every indication that, since you’ve danced with his daughter and you’re the new Duke of Everton, you’re looking for a bride.” Cor paused. “If anyone has any worries, assure them that I will be present to guide the new duchess in her tasks. As I said, younger is better because she will be more easily trained.”

Resigned to his fate, Jeremy said, “I will return from Almack’s tonight with a name from this list, Cor. You may count on it.”

*

Jeremy arrived atAlmack’s and presented his voucher, feeling foolish dressed in the knee-breeches the Patronesses required instead of his usual trousers. Someone called his name. Turning, he saw Neville headed toward him.

“Fancy seeing you here,” his friend said and then he grew contrite. “Terribly sorry to hear about your father.”

He shrugged. “Father wasn’t in good health.” He left it at that, knowing Neville and all of thetonhad figured out that though Stephen St. Clair may have died from apoplexy, in truth, he drank himself to death.

“I’m a bit surprised to see you out and about so quickly,” Neville continued, “unless you’re here for what I think you are—to browse the Marriage Mart for a bride.”

“I am,” he confirmed. “Cor thinks taking a wife will help me settle into my new responsibilities. She also tells me she isn’t getting any younger and wants a hand in training the next Duchess of Everton.”

“Cor is a wise woman. She will make you proud in shaping the new duchess,” Neville agreed. “Do you have anyone in mind?”

Jeremy had only one person in mind.

The one woman he could never have.

The viscount must have read something on his face. “I remember the last time we met. At the Wethersby ball. You seemed to really enjoy yourself that night, Everton. I was sorry to hear about... the situation... with Lady Catherine.”

“Lady Catherine isn’t here tonight,” he said brusquely. “I am here to find a suitable bride. Come, Neville.”

They entered the assembly rooms and stood to the side. Jeremy glanced about, spying two names from the list. He would need to find out what the other four looked like in order to be able to ask them to dance.

“Beg pardon, Your Grace, but the Countess of Lieven wishes to speak with you.”

He turned and saw a servant at his elbow. “Take me to her.”

The man led Jeremy to a row of women seated in a prime viewing spot and he knew these must be the famous Patronesses. Dorothea Lieven, the Russian ambassador’s wife, sat on the left end. He greeted her with a bow and swift kiss to her hand. Magically, a chair appeared next to her and she indicated he should sit.

“How are you this evening, Everton?”

“Better now that I’ve met you, Countess.”

“Cor asked me to point out a few ladies to you. Which ones do you already know?”

Jeremy knew she referred to the list that had been drawn up and provided her with the names of the women he would recognize. Over the next fifteen minutes, she showed him the remaining four as they arrived. In the meantime, they discussed politics. She seemed quite knowledgeable, most likely because of her husband’s occupation.

Once the last name had been identified, the countess said, “I wish you the best of luck in your search tonight, Everton. I understand speed is of the essence. Remember, though you are in a hurry, act anything but. When you make your choice, nod to me. I will confirm if I think it’s an apt one.”

He rose and kissed her hand again. “Thank you, Countess. Your help in this delicate matter has been invaluable.”

With that, he went and asked three of the six women to reserve a dance for him. If a choice had to be made, it would be easier with fewer candidates to consider. Signing eachprogramme du bal, he realized, by tomorrow, he would be engaged to one of them.

Jeremy made sure the first two he danced with received compliments on their gowns. He made small talk with them as they danced and then he returned them to the sidelines.

The third woman, Lady Mary Mowbray, was by far the shyest of the three and on the plain side. She was blond and petite and he wondered if he was drawn to her simply because she didn’t possess Catherine Crawford’s height or rich, auburn hair. She seemed the opposite of Catherine in every way and that appealed to him. By the end of their dance, he’d made up his mind.

As he escorted her from the dance floor, he said, “Lady Mary, I wondered if you are engaged for the supper dance?” When he’d signed her card, she’d had many blank spaces still available.

She consulted her programme and said, “N-no. I am not. D-do you wish f-for us to dance again, Your Gr-grace?” Her round eyes told of her surprise at his request.

“I would. Very much.” Jeremy lifted the card, ignoring the stutter which had suddenly emerged. He supposed he made the girl nervous and had good enough manners not to call attention to it. “I see you have a few other dances available. Would you save one more of them for me?”

To dance twice with a woman during an evening told thetonof his interest in her. To dance thrice practically called for the banns to be read.

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