Was there a hint of amusement in Mr. Seeker’s voice? It certainly was not normal for a man – any man, let alone a duke – to take such pains over returning a necklace to a stranger. Perhaps he ought to feel embarrassment. The feeling made William want to take out the locket again and pass the pad of his thumb over its smooth face. He wasn’t entirely sure why the motion was soothing. Should he be ashamed?
William, though, had been trained well enough by his father not to show emotions. Dukes were not permitted tofeelanything, and the only emotions suitable for a man, apparently, were anger and triumph.
“Perhaps I will, Mr. Seeker, perhaps I will,” he responded smoothly, not even blinking. “Perhaps you would prefer to take your tea in the parlour, while I continue my work.”
It wasn’t really a suggestion, of course. Mr. Seeker did not flinch, to his credit.
“Surely, your Grace,” he said, rising to his feet. “I shall keep you updated on my further efforts.”
William bit his lip, saying nothing while Mr. Seeker moved towards the door.
“Mr. Seeker?”
The man paused, glancing over his shoulder. William smiled wryly.
“You have done remarkably good work. I am quite in your debt.”
Mr. Seeker chuckled. “You have been generous indeed, your Grace. There is no debt to think of. Good day.”
He slipped out of the room, closing the door softly behind him, and William was left alone.
He sat still for a moment, tapping his fingers on the wood, then abruptly took out the locket. He set it on the desk and withdrew a sheet of good paper. Already formulating the letter in his head, he picked up a pen, nib hovering above the paper.
Dear Miss Brookford,he would write.We have not been officially introduced, but I believe I have an item belonging to you…
He bit his lip. And that would be that. Nothing more to think about. Perhaps they would meet again, perhaps they would not. The Season had reached its pinnacle, and while there were several balls left to attend, it would not be long before members of thetonbegan to leave town, and the Season would dwindle away to nothing over the winter months.
Steady on, man,he scolded himself.You don’t even have her address yet. Perhaps Mr. Seeker won’t find it, after all.
William abruptly replaced his pen, pushing away the blank paper. Instead, he picked up a neat envelope that had been delivered that morning. He recognized the handwriting, and knew it came from his mother. He cracked open the seal and began to read.
Dear William,
I hope your business is proceeding along nicely. Alex, Abigail, and I are having a famous time. She is such a wonderful young woman – I could not wish for a finer daughter-in-law. We are going to Bath at the end of the week, and I believe we shall meet you there, along with Henry and Katherine. London is so tiresome at this point of the Season.
However, I am writing to you on a matter of great importance. It worries me that you are not yet pursuing a courtship. Several suitable young ladies have expressed interest in you, such as Lady Hayward, and even that odd little thing, Miss Bainbridge. Of course, Lady Hayward is far more fashionable, but notquiteas rich as Miss Bainbridge. I believe that your father would have been pleased to see you make a match with Miss Bainbridge. He talked often of her family in years gone by, and I think that if he had been alive, he would have arranged it himself.
Still, you have always made it abundantly clear that you will make your own decisions, and so I shall not influence you in any way, other than to remind you that youmustmarry. You know this already, of course. You may be a jewel in the crown of the tonthis year, but nobody considers a poor duke to be a suitable match.
I have the utmost faith in your capabilities, and of course you may rely upon me and your siblings to help you in any way we can.
After all, if Henry, of all people, can secure a bride after being so convinced he would rather give up his inheritance than be forced to marry, I am sure you can manage rather well. I shall be arranging a ball once you return, in honour of Alex and Abigail, and it will be held at our home in Bath, at Rosewood House.
With your permission, of course.You should attend and make every effort to secure a suitable bride there.
That is all I can presently conceive.
Fond Regards,
Your Mother, the Dowager Duchess of Dunleigh.
William wondered how many mothers signed their lettersfond regardswhen writing to their eldest son.
Quite a few, most likely.
The matter of a bride, however, had bothered William a great deal. He’d rather die than marry Lady Hayward, but Miss Bainbridge seemed to be a decent match. She was composed and insightful, exhibiting a candour that bordered upon the unladylike. She would make a good duchess and was quite clearly angling to become his wife. The Bainbridges were shockingly wealthy and powerful, and well known everywhere, but they did not have any titles yet.
They wanted a title, quite badly.
