The duchess tapped her finger contemplatively against her lips. Monsale looked away. Kitty had the same complexion as her daughter, it wouldn’t do for him to go staring at his friend’s mother while his mind was focused on Naomi. On what finally getting his hands on her naked, luscious body would be like.
“I can think of one or two who might do at a pinch. And what about you, was there any young lady you would like me to put on the list?” she replied.
Her gaze locked firmly with his. The Duchess of Redditch was a woman not to be underestimated. Monsale attempted to hold his ground but failed. Few people could go up against him and not wilt, unfortunately Kitty was one of those rare people who he couldn’t rattle.
He managed as best a nonchalant shrug as he could.
Kitty blinked slowly. “No one?”
“Well, if there is any chance of…”
His nerve faltered. If he asked Kitty to put Naomi’s name on the list, it would likely create expectations on both the part of mother and daughter. Kitty no doubt would think Naomi was a perfect candidate for the role of his duchess, whereas Naomi would be waiting for him to fall at her feet.
Blast. Damned if I do and damned if I don’t.
No. He wouldn’t make mention of Naomi. Kitty would have to talk to her daughter and make certain that sense prevailed. There was not a noble mother in all of England who would be foolish enough to let the opportunity for their daughter to marry into one of the oldest titles in the country slip through her fingers.
Calm down. Naomi wants you, so she will make sure to put her name on the list. You are just going through the motions. Give her some competition and she will surely rise to the occasion. She will say yes.
“Sorry, was there a name you wished me to include?” replied Kitty.
“No, I will leave that in your capable hands. I am sure you will come up with three or so young ladies who will fit the bill.”
He didn’t like the sly grin which now sat on the duchess’s face, but as long as it meant she was going to put Naomi’s name at the top of the list, Monsale was more than content to pretend he hadn’t noticed that look.
He got to his feet and gave Kitty a low bow. “Thank you so much for seeing me at such short notice, your grace. I won’t take up any more of your day.”
She rose from the sofa and offered him a brief hug. “I shall have the list ready for you by the morning. I expect you will want to get started on the selection process as soon as possible.”
“Yes. Time is not something I have in abundance. I’m seeing my solicitor this afternoon to begin the process of marriage settlements. I spoke to Harry earlier, and he made me realize that there is a lot more involved in planning a wedding apart from standing in front of a minister.”
He headed for the door and the next of his meetings. If things went according to plan, Lady Naomi Steele’s name would be the one penned in those contracts.
Don’t let me down Kitty.
Naomi waited by the window in the downstairs sitting room, quickly slipping behind a curtain as Monsale stepped out the front door of her family home. The last thing she needed was for him to catch her spying.
The moment his carriage drew away and into the traffic of the busy street, she lifted her skirts and scurried upstairs. With a hurried knock, she entered Kitty’s drawing room. Her mother turned from the window and gave her a look, one which said she had been expecting Naomi.
Reading her mother’s expression, she dropped her intended offhand inquiry, and got straight to the point. She had already surreptitiously checked with the servants that Monsale hadn’t called in to Redditch House, in order to see her father. He had been to visit Kitty.
“Why did Monsale come to see you, Mama?”
“Have a seat, you and I have urgent, important matters to discuss,” replied Kitty.
Her interest piqued; Naomi made herself comfortable on one of her mother’s soft sofas. The cushion was warm, as if someone had recently been sitting on it. The thought that it may well have been Monsale, made her heart skip a beat.
Spying an untouched piece of cake sitting on the table next to her, she quickly snatched up the plate.
Orange tea cake, perfect.
Kitty shook her head as Naomi stuffed a generous piece into her mouth. “That was Monsale’s, he didn’t want it. I sometimes forget that he isn’t one for tea and cake. Having spent his younger years in foreign climes, his tastes are not that of your typical Englishman. When I know that he is coming to see your father, I usually make sure that cook has baked some cornbread for him.”
Naomi finished her mouthful, then set the plate to one side. She needed answers more than food.
“So why the sudden visit with you today?” she asked.
Lady Steele took a seat next to her daughter. It was only then that Naomi noticed the piece of paper in her mother’s hand. On it were written two names.
