Victoria Alexander - Effington Family 03 - The Marriage Lesson.pdf

(487 KB) Pobierz
marriagelesson_chapters
marriagelesson_chapters
Spring 1819
“B last it all, I’m a marquess, not a bloody governess.” Thomas Effington, the Marquess of Helmsley
and future Duke of Roxborough, drained the glass of brandy he held in his hand and promptly poured
another.
Randall, Viscount Beaumont, studied him over the rim of his own glass. “You’ve mentioned that already
this evening. Several times, in fact.”
“It bears repeating.” Thomas sank into a wing chair identical to the one his friend occupied. Both were
angled toward the massive oak desk that had well served the previous eight Dukes of Roxborough.
For a moment he considered suggesting they move to the sofa facing the fireplace at the far end of the
long Effington House library. In spite of the fine spring day, the evening was cool and the warmth of the
fire would be welcome. Still, these chairs were closer to the cabinet that housed his father’s supply of
spirits and their proximity was more important than mere creature comfort.
Thomas drew a long, appreciative swallow. There was a great deal of warmth to be had right here. “I ask
you, Rand, how can my family possibly expect me to find a bride—their idea, mind you, not mine—if
I’m also expected to play nursemaid?”
“I’d scarce call it playing nursemaid. Or perhaps I’ve misunderstood.” Rand glanced wryly at his drink.
“It’s entirely possible I’ve overlooked some of the finer details of your dilemma.”
“It’s quite simple.” Thomas heaved a heartfelt sigh and launched into a recitation he thought he’d
already given at least once tonight, although at the moment he was not entirely certain. “Last year my
sister, Gillian, married Richard, the Earl of Shelbrooke. You know him, don’t you?”
“I know of him.”
“He promised his three youngest sisters—they’ve been raised in the country—a season in London, with
all the stuff and nonsense such a thing entails to women. My mother—”
“Ah, yes, the Duchess of Roxborough,” Rand said, “and a woman not to be trifled with, if rumor serves.”
“None of the Effington women are to be trifled with. From my grandmother to my youngest cousins,
they are stubborn and opinionated to the last.” Thomas glared at his glass. “My mother had planned to
take Richard’s sisters under her wing personally and had gone so far as to arrange for a come-out ball for
file:///C|/Torrent%20Files/Books/Romance%20Novels/Victoria%20Alexander%20-%20The%20Marriage%20Lesson.htm (1 of 246)7/8/2006 10:19:11 PM
 
marriagelesson_chapters
them. It seems my sister was something of a disappointment to her when she married her first husband
after only one season. It was all my mother could do to keep from drooling at the very thought of
steering not one but three young women through the rigors of a first season. And as an added bonus, I’d
finally agreed to seriously look for a bride.” He narrowed his eyes. “She was quite beside herself with
glee at the thought of it all.”
Rand snorted with ill-concealed amusement.
Thomas slumped deeper in his chair. “Unfortunately, my parents are no longer in England, and I’ve been
forced into the temporary role of head of the family, with all the accompanying headaches and
responsibilities.”
“Pity. Are you up to it?”
“When it comes to handling estate concerns or family business or my own financial affairs, for that
matter, I haven’t a worry. Effington men may well spend their nights in questionable pursuits, but we are
remarkably competent when it comes to the maintenance and increase of the family fortune. Runs in the
blood.” He grinned and raised his glass in a salute. “Even my more disreputable ancestors didn’t
squander whatever wealth they’d stolen.”
Rand laughed and lifted his glass. “To the Effington ancestors, then.” He took a sip. “A shame the
Beaumonts can’t say the same. Now, where have the duke and duchess gone?”
“America.” Thomas grimaced. “Richard and Gillian inherited a great deal of property in that
godforsaken land and for some absurd reason wanted to see it in person. While there, Richard had the
nerve to get her with child.”
“Damned inconsiderate of him.”
“I thought so. And he calls himself my friend.” Thomas pulled a long sip and considered the events of
the last year. He’d been delighted when his dearest friend had fallen in love with his sister. And no one
could have been more pleased than Thomas when the couple had been the beneficiary of a substantial
inheritance. Now, however, he did wish Richard’s timing had been better. “When my mother learned of
Gillian’s state, not more than a month ago, she insisted on going to be with her rather than having
Gillian risk the voyage home. First grandchild, and all that.”
“And the duke went with her?”
Thomas nodded. “He’s never been to America and apparently has a much more adventurous streak than
I’d ever credited him with.”
“Bad piece of luck there. Still, correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought England was riddled with Effing-
file:///C|/Torrent%20Files/Books/Romance%20Novels/Victoria%20Alexander%20-%20The%20Marriage%20Lesson.htm (2 of 246)7/8/2006 10:19:11 PM
marriagelesson_chapters
tons. Surely there’s some other relation, preferably female, who can shepherd these girls around for the
season?”
“One would think, but this year they all seem to have scattered to the four corners of the earth. One
branch of the family is hanging about old ruins somewhere—Greece, I believe. Richard’s oldest sister
and her husband are in Paris, and everyone else in the family is too taken up with their own affairs to
lend any assistance whatsoever. In short, old man, I’m trapped. Saddled with the responsibility of
launching three girls onto the choppy seas of society.” Thomas blew a long breath. “As well as fulfilling
a promise to find a bride of my own this season.”
“What on earth possessed you?”
“Oh, the usual reasons,” Thomas said grimly. “I’m three and thirty. My father, my mother and even my
sister delight in pointing out to me the need to provide an heir.”
“Any prospects?”
“Not as of yet, but I do know what I want in a wife.” He rested his head against the back of the chair and
gazed toward the ceiling. “I want a woman who will be biddable and soft-spoken. A woman to whom I
will be the moon and the stars. Who will acquiesce to my desires and not challenge my decisions.”
Rand laughed. “In short, you want the complete opposite of the Effington women.”
“Exactly.”
“And how will you find such a paragon?”
“I don’t know at the moment but it shouldn’t be too difficult. Effington women are the exception not the
rule. And while Effington men have always managed to keep them well in hand, I have no desire to
spend the rest of my days in a battle of wills and wits. Still,” he drained his brandy and got to his feet,
“it’s going to be bloody difficult to pursue anyone at all if I have to spend all my time watching over
Richard’s sisters.” He stepped to the cabinet, grabbed the liquor decanter and returned to his seat. “In all
good conscience, I have no choice. I received a letter from Richard last week in which he expressed
every confidence that I would safeguard his sisters as he would. He said he was relieved they would be
in my capable hands. And he thanked me for my efforts.”
“You’re right. You are trapped.” Rand held out his glass and Thomas obligingly refilled it. “When do
they arrive?”
“Oh, they’ve been here for a fortnight now.” He filled his own glass, placed the decanter within easy
reach on the table between them and took a healthy swallow.
file:///C|/Torrent%20Files/Books/Romance%20Novels/Victoria%20Alexander%20-%20The%20Marriage%20Lesson.htm (3 of 246)7/8/2006 10:19:11 PM
marriagelesson_chapters
“Really?” Rand raised a brow. “Yet I’ve seen you every night for at least that long at Whites or some
other establishment. They don’t seem to be much of a hindrance thus far.”
“I’ve simply become quite adept at avoiding them. It hasn’t been all that difficult during the day.
They’ve been exceedingly busy with fittings and shopping and dancing lessons and God knows what
else. They came complete with a chaperone, an iron-willed curmudgeon of an aunt. An extremely
unpleasant, dragonlike creature who glares at me as if I were a well-known seducer of innocent young
women.” He shuddered. “That alone is reason enough to stay out of their paths.
“However, the ball my mother arranged is in three days’ time. She even procured vouchers for Almacks
for them.”
Rand winced. “My sympathies. Still, if you are to pursue a bride of your own, wouldn’t you be doing all
this anyway?”
“No doubt, but at least I would be unfettered. So . . . ” Thomas studied him for a moment, wondering if
Rand had consumed enough liquor to be amenable to his proposal or if Thomas should add another
dollop of brandy to his glass. “I have come up with a plan.”
“Oh?”
“The true purpose of any season is to find a good match. Richard has provided his sisters with
impressive dowries, and it shouldn’t be all that difficult to find acceptable husbands. Quickly and with a
minimum of fuss.”
“Perhaps.” Rand took a thoughtful sip and considered him carefully. “Unless, of course, they’re as ugly
as toads.”
“Oh, they’re not. Not at all,” Thomas said quickly. “I have met them, although admittedly briefly, but all
three are quite lovely.
“The oldest—her name is Merry-something, I believe—is a bit of a bluestocking, but still very
attractive, even if she is nearly two and twenty. Rather unruly blond hair, and I think her eyes are blue
behind her spectacles. I understand she’s quite intelligent.”
“No problem marrying off that one. There’s quite a demand on the marriage mart for bespectacled,
aging, intelligent bluestockings,” Rand said wryly.
Thomas ignored him. “The next—I don’t recall her name, either—is the prettiest of the lot and bound to
be considered a diamond of the first water. The youngest is lovely as well. An excellent rider, I hear.
Very fond of horses and the country. And Rand”—he forced a note of enthusiasm to his voice—“she has
file:///C|/Torrent%20Files/Books/Romance%20Novels/Victoria%20Alexander%20-%20The%20Marriage%20Lesson.htm (4 of 246)7/8/2006 10:19:11 PM
marriagelesson_chapters
a dog. A great furry beast of an animal any man would be proud to own. She brought him with her.”
“Good for her.” Rand’s brow furrowed in suspicion. “Why are you telling me all this?”
“I was thinking, they haven’t been introduced to society yet and at this point”—Thomas leaned forward
—“you could have your pick of any of them.”
“My pick ?” Rand said slowly.
“Yes, your choice.”
“Are you mad? What would I want with any of them?”
“Come, now, Rand,” Thomas said in a placating tone. “Isn’t it time you found yourself a wife? We are
of a similar age and you, too, have the responsibility to provide an heir.”
“I don’t want a wife right now, thank you all the same.” Mild amusement sounded in Rand’s voice.
“Well, none of us really wants a wife, now, do we?” Thomas reached for the decanter to top off Rand’s
glass, but his friend waved him off. Pity. The man definitely needed more to drink. “But the time comes
when we must live up to our responsibilities.”
“Your time, perhaps, but not mine.” Rand downed the rest of his drink, placed his glass beside the
decanter and got to his feet. “However, it is past time for me to take my leave.”
Thomas stood. “You disappoint me, Rand. I thought we were friends.”
“We’re not that close.” Rand started for the door.
“If the situation were reversed, I’d happily marry one of them to help you,” Thomas said staunchly and
followed him, goblet still in hand.
Rand laughed. “Even you don’t believe that.”
“I knew I wouldn’t be able to convince you. Still, I thought it was worth a try.” Thomas heaved a sigh of
resignation. “The very least you can do is help me find matches for them.”
“As much as I would be willing to assist you, or at a minimum watch what will surely be a most
entertaining endeavor, that, too, I must decline.” Rand reached the door and pulled it open. “I’m afraid
I’ve been called away and probably won’t be back in London for some time. I could well miss the
season altogether. You, old chap, are on your own.”
file:///C|/Torrent%20Files/Books/Romance%20Novels/Victoria%20Alexander%20-%20The%20Marriage%20Lesson.htm (5 of 246)7/8/2006 10:19:11 PM

Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika:

Zgłoś jeśli naruszono regulamin