“Bloody, damn pride,” Danby grumbled. “That makes you as bad as Chedworth. His pride won’t allow a granddaughter to marry anyone who is not titled, and you will not take a wife unless you are rich.”

  Peter didn’t consider it pride, but he also wasn’t willing to argue the point to His Grace.

  “What will it take for you to feel wealthy enough to support a wife and family?”

  Peter blinked at him.

  “I’ve estates all about England. I’ve purchased them over the years because I knew there would be second, third and even fourth sons who would need an income or something to make them attractive to misses and ladies. Which do you prefer? Farming, mining, fishing even? I’ll give you a list of properties. Choose one.”

  His mouth agape, all Peter could do was stare at his great-uncle. “You would give me property that has an income just so that I could wed?”

  “Yes, and you wouldn’t be the first.”

  While an estate that he could manage and build wealth from would be a comfort, and bring security, it didn’t feel right to accept. “It is kind of you, but I will not take you up on your offer.”

  “Why the bloody hell not?” Danby demanded.

  “In your words, pride. If I cannot support a wife on my own, then I should not marry.”

  “Bah,” Danby grumbled as he stood. “I’m not finished with you yet,” he warned as he crossed to the door. “It’s time you married, and I will see it done.”

  “Bloody hell!” Peter murmured and stared down into his glass and shook his head.

  Danby may think he could make others do his bidding just because he ordered it but he may meet his match when confronting Chedworth.

  Peter chuckled. It would be enjoyable to watch, but he did not need Danby arranging things to suit him. If Peter had even the slightest chance of marrying Johanna, which he did not, it would be on his own terms.

  “YOU WILL CEASE SPEAKING to Mr. Peter Storm,” Johanna’s grandfather ordered. “He is not suitable.”

  “The more attention you give him, the worthy gentlemen will take notice and believe you have already given your heart,” her father insisted.

  She had, but Johanna didn’t dare tell her grandfather or father that she’d done so.

  “If I do not cease speaking with him?” she asked, knowing that she angered them both, Grandfather more than her father.

  Grandfather drew himself up, tilted his chin and stared down at her. “Then you will be sent to the country until a proper marriage can be arranged for you.”

  This is what she feared the most—to be forced to marry a gentleman that she didn’t know or even like. “Very well.” She would simply visit with Peter in secret and not in full view of the ton.

  “This is for the best, Johanna,” her father said. “You would be miserable married to someone who could not support you. Would you ever be certain that he married you for yourself and not for what you could bring to a marriage?”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to remind her father that his sister had been perfectly happy living above a bookshop with her husband but did not. Aunt Louisa’s name was never to be mentioned, especially in front of Grandfather. Further, Peter was the only man who did not want her dowry. The same could not be said for anyone else who had shown an interest in her.

  “The Clarendon Ball is this evening. I expect you to engage the Duke of Eldridge’s interest and forget that Mr. Peter Storm exists.”

  “Yes, Grandfather. I will do my best, but he has no interest in marriage from what I have been told.”

  “You will change his mind. He needs heirs and you need to wed.”

  She needed to do something to keep her grandfather happy. She just wasn’t willing to marry a gentleman that she didn’t love. But how could she manage to do both?

  It was a dilemma that plagued her and led Johanna to seek Alden out for his advice. Unfortunately, she could not call on Alden directly since he recently took up residence at the Albany, and no woman was allowed to cross the threshold of the building. Not even a sister visiting her brother. Therefore, she traveled there by carriage and sent a footman inside with a note to bring her brother out.

  “What is so dire that you couldn’t have sent a note and asked me to call?” Alden asked as he entered the carriage.

  “This is not a conversation that can be held within earshot of grandfather or father.”

  Alden narrowed his eyes. “What have you done?”

  “Nothing,” she assured him, a bit affronted. “It is what they want me to do.”

  Alden blew out a sigh. “Who have they set their sights on this time?”

  “I’m to bring the Duke of Eldridge up to scratch.”

  Alden lifted an eyebrow. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that grandfather is reaching so high.”

  “He’d expect higher if a prince was available,” Johanna grumbled.

  “What are your objections to Edridge?” Alden finally asked.

  “I don’t know him,” she answered. “Further, I don’t love him.”

  “How can you know you don’t love him if you don’t know him?”

  “You can’t love someone you don’t know,” she answered.

  “Then come to know him and then you’ll know if you can love him,” Alden stated as if the answer was simple.

  “I don’t want to come to know him when I know that I won’t love him,” she argued.

  “How can you be so certain?” Alden demanded.

  “Because I love Mr. Peter Storm.”

  Alden blew out another sigh.

  “And he loves me,” she reminded her brother. “You heard him clearly as I did.”

  “Unless Storm suddenly decides to elope with you, there is nothing you can do.” Alden eyed her. “Perhaps you should consider other bachelors because I doubt Storm will be bold enough to defy grandfather and if you continue to wait for him to do something you are likely to become a spinster.”

  “I’d rather be alone than in a loveless miserable marriage.”

  “Yet, you won’t even entertain the possibility that you might be able to love someone else.”

  “Oh, you are no help,” Johanna cried. Her brother was supposed to help, not make matters more difficult.

  “I’m not even certain what you wish for me to do,” he countered. “Unless you’d like me to kidnap Storm for you and drive you both to Gretna Green.”

  She hadn’t thought of that possibility. Peter would have no choice but to marry her if she managed to be compromised. But one could not be compromised if a brother was present. “Simply kidnap, I’ll do the rest.”

  Alden pushed open the door. “I was being facetious. I will not kidnap Storm on your behalf. You’ll need to do that all on your own.”

  Peter wouldn’t be alone with her unless they were walking in a garden in full view of guests, so he certainly wouldn’t get into a carriage with her, which made it quite difficult to kidnap him.

  “Come to know Eldridge.” Alden stepped from the carriage. “Don’t pin all your hopes on a gentleman who will never ask for your hand. Even if he did, grandfather would never accept him, and Storm has too much honor to elope.” With that, Alden slammed the door and walked away.

  “You have been absolutely no help,” Johanna called before she slumped back in her seat. That was the problem. Peter had too much honor, which was why they’d never be more than friends.

  Certainly, there was something she could do to change that, but what?

  Chapter Three

  “Why did Danby visit earlier?” Peter’s mother demanded.

  “How did you know His Grace had been here?”

  “When we returned from Hannah’s garden party we saw his carriage.”

  “Yet, you didn’t return home,” Peter prompted.

  “Of course not.” Mother placed a hand at her breast. “I’ll not have Deborah or Sarah near him, or he’ll see them married off.” Her eyes widened. “Has he made plans for them? You must tell me.”

  Peter blew out a sigh. “Danby did not confide in me.”

  “Then what did he want if not to take another daughter from me?” she demanded.

  “His Grace is more concerned with me marrying, if you must know.”

  “Thank goodness.”

  “Thank you for your concern, Mother,” Peter offered dryly.

  “You are a man. It is not the same. Deborah and Sarah are innocent misses and must have my guidance.”

  She offered so much guidance that one sister had married someone who lived in Ireland to get away from her. Tabitha also loved her husband. Ireland had simply been a lovely bonus.

  “See, Mother. We don’t have to avoid him,” Sarah, the youngest at eighteen exclaimed. “If the Duke of Danby is worried about Peter, then he won’t bother himself with me.”

  Peter didn’t point out that he’d witnessed Danby arrange several weddings in one house party, and usually at Christmas.

  “Besides, if he was going to worry about a female, he’d find Deborah a husband first since she is older.”

  This was Sarah’s first Season and she wanted to enjoy every moment. However, their mother made it extremely difficult because she discouraged every gentleman she found unsuitable, which was solely based on the location of their estate. Mother wanted her daughters close, though only the eldest lived within a day of the ancestral estate where Mother made her residence.

  Deborah, at twenty, looked up from her book and frowned. “Danby will not be arranging my future for I do not intend to wed.” She then returned to reading.

  Mother didn’t even offer an argument and probably because if Deborah became a spinster, she would have someone in whom she could always guide.

  “Danby may be worried about Peter at the moment, but that does not mean that I will not remain alert. I do not trust him, and I will not allow him to arrange another poor match for either of my daughters.”

  Peter nearly snorted. Abigail, the eldest of his sisters had married a mister she loved and resided close to home, and Danby had nothing to do with that match. However, the ones that Danby had a hand in were Hannah, who had married a wealthy marquess and Tabitha who married a wealthy viscount. Those were hardly poor matches.

  “Just stay by my side once we enter the ball and all will be well,” his mother insisted as the carriage came to a stop outside of the Clarendon mansion.

  As soon as his mother located a place where she wished to stand with her daughters close, Peter took his leave of them and sought out the Duke of Eldridge. The two had become friends when His Grace’s sister had married Peter’s brother. It was Eldridge that he joined at White’s earlier in the day with complaints about Danby and voiced his frustration of why he could not ask for Lady Johanna. Peter had also warned his friend that Johanna’s grandfather expected her to bring Eldridge up to scratch, to which his friend had laughed.

  When her name was announced, Eldridge turned to look.

  “She is quite lovely,” he acknowledged.

  “Yes, she is,” Peter admitted and then wondered if perhaps he shouldn’t have mentioned Lady Johanna to Eldridge at all.

  “I believe I will gain an introduction.”

  Bloody hell! “I’m certain nothing would make her grandfather happier,” Peter offered dryly.

  “You have no need for concern,” Eldridge assured him. “Even if I were interested, which I am not, I’d not attempt to replace you.”

  “Lady Johanna and I can only be friends.”

  “We shall see.” Then Eldridge left him and crossed the ballroom to engage the Earl of Chedworth.

  The gentleman practically beamed and introduced Lady Johanna.

  Even from a distance Peter could see that her smile was tight as she looked past Eldridge to Peter, a frown drawn between her eyebrows. He shrugged and she returned her attention to His Grace.

  It was likely she believed that Peter had put Eldridge up to his introduction after the discussion the two had shared this afternoon, but that had not been his intention. Peter had simply been confiding in a friend and was beginning to wonder if that had been a mistake.

  Moments later Eldridge returned to Peter. “I’ve secured the supper dance.”

  “I am happy for you,” Peter ground out, feeling everything but pleased. No, the emotion that was closest to his heart was betrayal.

  While Peter knew that he couldn’t have Johanna, he hoped that when she did marry that it would be to a stranger, not his friend where he’d have to witness their happiness.

  “I assure you that my interest strays no further. I simply wish to become acquainted with the lady who has you tied in knots.”

  “She has not,” Peter insisted.

  To which Eldridge laughed. “Yes, she has, my friend.”

  Peter hated this. What if Johanna realized that Eldridge could offer her more? Much, much more than he ever could. In addition, Eldridge was likeable and when he wished to, could be charming.

  “You know my cousins, do you not?” Eldridge asked as he nodded across the room to five females.

  “Yes. I’ve made their acquaintance.”

  “They are of an age to wed, and my responsibility.”

  Peter shot him a look. “I am acquainted with them, but that is all.” It was bad enough that Danby was already trying to manage him, he didn’t need Eldridge doing the same.

  “I am not trying to matchmake,” Eldridge assured him. “But you should engage one of them in the supper waltz and then we can share a table.”

  “Why?” Peter wasn’t certain what he was about.

  “I overheard Lady Johanna’s grandfather address her as I walked away. Now that she’d gained my attention, she was reminded that she was not to speak to you again. Therefore, if we share a supper table, there is little he can do since he does wish me to offer for her. If you are with one of my cousins, who is also a ward, he cannot complain.”

  “I don’t wish to offer false encouragement.” It was one matter to engage in a waltz. It was quite another to request the supper waltz as it would mean that they would dine together and have the opportunity to engage in further conversation.

  “I can assure you that none of them are in any hurry to marry. Their father was a reverend who believed London was full of sin. This is their first Season. As much as I wish my responsibilities at an end, I will not push them into a courtship they do not want, nor do anything so archaic as to arrange a marriage.”

  That explained why Peter had not seen them until this year. “Two have reached their majority, have they not?” Peter asked.

  “They have but I cannot simply turn them out to become a governess or find other employment. Their lives were difficult enough with my uncle who allowed them no freedom whatsoever and forced pious prayer. They deserve a Season or two.”

  As Eldridge finished speaking, those very cousins approached.

  “Which one of you has the supper dance free?”

  They blinked at him in surprise.

  “One of you must have it available.”

  “I do,” the second eldest, Bernice said.

  “Give it to Mr. Storm.”

  She blinked again in shock and Peter could tell that she wished to argue but wasn’t certain if she should, then looked helplessly to Peter.

  “Please?” he asked.

  Miss Bernice Simpson reluctantly handed over her dance card.

  “I promise to explain later,” Eldridge assured her. “In fact, we may need your assistance in the future, if you are willing, but I cannot explain here.”

  “Of course, Henry,” Miss Bernice finally said as she cast concerned eyes upon Peter.

  JOHANNA REMAINED WITH her father but watched Peter. She knew the relationship he shared with Eldridge and couldn’t help but wonder if Peter wasn’t responsible for His Grace asking for the supper waltz.

  When the time arrived, Eldridge came to collect her, then led Johanna onto the floor. It wasn’t until the music began and he took her in his arms that he spoke.

  “I understand you are to bring me up to scratch.”

  Shock filled her being as heat rushed over her face.

  His Grace chuckled. “No need to be embarrassed,” he assured her. “Storm has told me the way of it.”

  She was going to kill Peter. He had no right to divulge what they had discussed in private.

  “I already knew your grandfather’s intentions,” Eldridge confided. “I have received weekly invitations to dinner, which I have declined.”

  “Then why ask me to waltz?” she asked. “Especially the supper waltz.”

  “Because Storm is a friend and relative.” Then he explained his plans for the evening.

  Johanna stared up at him. “Why are you doing this?”

  “I believe everyone should be happy, Lady Johanna,” he answered. “If I am seen escorting you about town and whatnot, I will be left alone, your grandfather will be happy, and you’ll be able to speak with Peter without consequence.”

  “There is no purpose in doing so,” she finally said. “Peter will never offer for me and even if he did, he would be rejected. Nor will you seek my hand, so my grandfather will not be pleased when the Season comes to an end.”

  “It will bring us all a little peace for a short time. Further, much could happen between now and when everyone retires to the country.”

  She supposed he was correct. “I will do my best to bring you up to scratch, Your Grace.” She quietly laughed. “When I fail, I only ask that you explain that you hold nothing against me other than we do not suit or an excuse that my grandfather would accept.”

  He stared down at her. “Would he be difficult?”

  “He can be, and if you are willing, I prefer that all blame be placed on you.” It was a risk that she asked him to take on such. But Eldridge knew as well as she that a gentleman could nearly get away with murder and not suffer any consequences, but a lady could be ruined by a whispered rumor whether it was true or not.

  “My excuse will be that although you managed to capture my heart, I cannot consider marriage to anyone until at least two of my five wards are settled. However, if you are available next Spring, I may reconsider my situation.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8