“We must pray cooler heads will prevail. When do you depart for the Continent?”
“I don’t know yet.” He would not say that it depended on her.
“My brother knows a number of gentlemen who are in the army and traveling to Brussels and the surrounding areas. I suppose you do as well.”
“We most likely know a number of the same fellows.” He did not wish to discuss the coming war with her, but he didn’t know what else to say.
The second set was just as frustrating as the first, and he left the ball not knowing if he had managed to secure her or not. Geoff only knew that he had to do something to ensure Miss Turley was his.
* * *
The next morning, fate was against him again, and Geoff couldn’t figure out what he’d done to deserve such Turkish treatment. He had finally decided to visit Lord Turley and ask for Miss Turley’s hand in marriage, but when he arrived at their town house the butler had said Lord Turley left early that morning for his estate, and only Mr. Turley knew when his lordship would return. Yet, he was not expected back until later that afternoon. Geoff didn’t bother asking if Miss Turley was at home. She would be at Lady Worthington’s End of Season Breakfast.
He reached the pavement in front of Turley House and turned toward his rooms.
He could go to one of his clubs, but chances were all he’d hear about was the last entertainments of the Season, if there was anyone about at all with the breakfast going on this morning. Although he had received an invitation to the event, after the way he had left things with Lady Charlotte, he had sent his regrets.
“Ho, Harrington.” Lord Endicott quickened his step as Geoff turned and waited. “I didn’t see you at Lady Worthington’s breakfast.”
“No, I got caught up with something else.” Such as trying to find the father of the lady Geoff now wished to wed.
“You missed the surprise of the Season.” Endicott fell in beside Geoff.
He turned with the other gentleman toward Jermyn Street. “What surprise is that?”
“Lady Charlotte Carpenter and Kenilworth married this morning. The End of Season Breakfast was actually their wedding breakfast.”
“What’s so strange about that?” Geoff knew she’d marry Kenilworth. Everyone knew they would wed. Oddly enough, for all that Geoff had wanted her as his wife, he didn’t feel bad about it. He had Miss Turley now. Or he would have her soon. “Other than Lady Worthington not announcing it was a wedding breakfast, that is?” Which was rather odd, now that he thought about it.
“Seems Kenilworth didn’t know he was getting leg-shackled today.” Endicott chuckled. “That’s the reason for the subterfuge about the wedding breakfast.”
How could it even occur that a gentleman wouldn’t know he was getting married? “That doesn’t make sense. You must have heard the story wrongly.”
“Not at all. I was there and heard the man himself. Kenilworth was laughing about how he’d been after Worthington for days to set a date, and the lengths Lady Charlotte had gone to keep him in the dark.” Endicott laughed again. “Never seen a man so happy to be humbugged.”
Geoff wasn’t sure he’d want to be the groom at a surprise wedding. In fact, he did not like to be caught unawares at all. And for the first time, he was actually glad he had not wed Lady Charlotte if she went around doing foolish things like that.
He couldn’t see Miss Turley behaving in such an impudent manner. Perhaps he was luckier than he had known to havelostLady Charlotte. Of course, that made him even more resolved to get Miss Turley to the altar. Despite what his cousin had said, he was not going to lose her. One way or the other, he was going to get the lady to the altar.
Endicott continued to talk about the wedding breakfast while they made their way to Jermyn Street. Eventually, he asked, “How goes your quest for a wife?”
“Between you and me, I had hoped to make an offer for Miss Turley today.” Geoff grimaced. “But her father is out of Town for a few days.”
“Turley, hmm? Bad luck, that,” Endicott said sympathetically. “Seems like a nice chit. Pretty enough, but too quiet for me.”
Geoff had no intention of telling Endicott that Miss Turley was not nearly as quiet as she appeared next to Lady Charlotte or Lady Louisa—mayhap because Miss Turley did not put herself forward. He didn’t need Endicott to become interested in her. Geoff also found he did not like her being referred to as a “chit.” She might be in her first Season, but she was extremely mature. “She suits me.”
“M’mother’s been after me to marry, but it looks like I’ll have to wait until next Season,” Endicott confided. “Can’t say I’m interested in any of the ladies left.”
“I have been told,” Geoff said, “that many families are taking their daughters to Brussels, now that the English are no longer welcome in Paris.”
“Can’t see that’s such a good decision with Boney on the move.” As Endicott’s sentiments were the same as Geoff’s, there was nothing more to say on the subject.
Once they reached their respective buildings, Geoff said, “I shall see you at Lady Somerset’s ball, I expect.”
“Of course.” Endicott waved a salute. “Good luck with your lady.”
“Thank you.” Geoff only wished he was confident enough to call Miss Turleyhislady to anyone but himself.
