“Desperate times call for desperate measures. There are far fewer families in town at the moment than I had thought there were. And while the Shadbolt’s are known to be a little tight with their blunt, they are a perfectly acceptable ton family. And, you shouldn’t be making those sorts of remarks about Monsale,” tutted Kitty.
It took all of Naomi’s strength to hide her utter delight knowing Miriam Grasping Shadbolt was next on the list. She had no doubt that Monsale would find the money hungry family distasteful. He might well be the financial genius that Harry had whispered he was, but she knew Monsale wasn’t one for engaging in any sort of discussion about the crass subject of money.
What did have her concerned, however, was the haste at which he was moving in his search for a wife. Three days, and already he was almost halfway through the list. By the end of today, there was every chance that only one name would remain.
I have to make certain that lady number two is out of the running, then focus on the last one.
If she was going to bring Monsale to his knees, and have him pleading for her hand in marriage, she had better move fast.
“So, what are your plans for the day?” asked her mother.
“I am going to visit Alice and baby Jonathan this morning, then do a spot of shopping. After that, I might just come home and stay in for the rest of the day. There aren’t any entertainments or parties of note on offer tonight.”
Kitty folded up Monsale’s letter with a sigh. “Are you sure you don’t want to add your name to the list? I am certain Monsale would have no objection.”
Naomi shook her head. His having no objection was the root of the problem. She wasn’t going to be made to feel honored at being considered for the position of his wife.
He is going to fight for me. If he won’t, then we are destined never to wed.
Her parents had been happily married for many years. Like any other couple, they had their moments of disagreements, but there was passion, commitment, and love evident between them. And she wanted to see the same glint of desire shining in Monsale’s eyes whenever he looked at her, as she saw when her father cast his gaze lovingly over Kitty.
I want to be wanted. And for him to ache for my love.
“Thank you, Mama, but I am firmly set on my decision. I am not going on the list, and the sooner Monsale gets that through his thick skull the better.”
Kitty rose from her writing desk and came to embrace her. She pulled Naomi into a warm, motherly hug. “I don’t know what you think you are playing at my girl, but I must caution you, this is not a game. By the end of this week, Monsale will have chosen his bride. A wedding shall no doubt be conducted as swiftly after that as can be arranged. If you want to be the woman to whom he is standing next to in front of the priest, then be very careful about your next move.”
Pulling out of her mother’s arms, Naomi placed a tender kiss on Kitty’s cheek.
“Thank you, Mama. I think I have the measure of him. And if I don’t, then I only have myself to blame. I shall give your love to Alice and the baby.”
Chapter Eight
Eleven Days to go.
That evening.
* * *
Monsale fussed with the edges of his cravat. His fingers were on the lapels of his jacket, straightening them, when he suddenly stopped. He scowled at himself in the bedroom mirror.
What the hell am I doing? I don’t preen. And I most certainly don’t fuss.
Guests were a rarity at Monsale House; so rare that the head butler had checked twice when he was given directions to arrange a formal supper for this evening. Apart from the other members of the RR Coaching Company, Monsale didn’t ever host anyone in his home.
His upbringing had left him with a deep-seated mistrust of people. That he himself was one of the least trustworthy people in London only added to his social discomfort. Harry, George, Gus, and Stephen understood him. And while they too didn’t share everything with Monsale, at least they were open about it.
It was an unspoken understanding among the five of them, that Monsale always took an extra secret cut out of the proceeds from their business dealings. This was a world he understood. The search for a wife had him sailing into uncharted waters.
Worry about the future sat constantly in his mind. Marriage involved more than simply solving the issue of the fealty oath to the Prince of Wales. His thoughts kept circling back to the same list of problems. Being married, meant having a wife. A woman who would expect to live in this house, to have visitors. And children.
He stood on the cusp of a momentous life change. One for which he wasn’t the least prepared.
“But if I don’t go through with a wedding, I will lose it all,” he muttered.
Over the years he had been able to successfully keep his dodgy dealings and at times outright illegal activities a secret by not allowing other people into his private space. Monsale House was his fortress, its high walls and doors kept the world firmly locked out.
A tap on the bedroom door, had him sighing. “Come in.”
