After finishing his reviews, Merton put his pencil down and left his study. Perhaps a stroll would help clear his head. He might meet Miss Stern again. The thought made him smile. He must discover if she was even an eligible candidate for the position of his wife.
Chapter Four
“The Marchioness of Merton,” Royston intoned from the door to the morning room.
“Oh, ma’am.” Grace rose from her desk to greet Eunice. “I am so happy to see you. It has been an age.”
“Grace, my child.” Eunice took the outstretched hands and kissed Grace’s cheek. She had grown into such a beautiful woman. “Yes, indeed. Much too long. How have you been doing?”
“I am well, as are the children.” Her lips pursed. “I didn’t know you were in Town, or I would have called on you. Merton said . . .”
“I arrived just yesterday.” Eunice gave a small cough. “It was rather a surprise to him.” She held Grace out, studying her. “I am sorry I was unable to attend your wedding. However, allow me to congratulate you on your marriage. You look exceedingly happy.”
Grace smiled gently. “I am. We all are. Truly, I could not have picked a better man. Worthington is at the Park with the whole group now to give me a few moments to catch up on my correspondence.”
Eunice could not have been prouder of Grace if she’d been her own daughter. She had defied everyone’s expectations when she’d won custody of her brothers and sisters. Then to have married so well. It was a miracle she had met a man who was up to it all. “Your mother would have been very happy to see you so well settled.”
“I think so.” Grace tugged the bell pull and ordered tea. “Come sit and tell me how you’ve been.”
Eunice sank into the offered chair. After settling her skirts, she took a breath. “I have come for your help.”
If Grace was surprised, she did not show it. “Anything I can do, of course I will. Besides being my mama’s closest friend, you are now my cousin.”
“Thank you.” Eunice let out the breath she had been holding. She had spent hours last night thinking of how to approach Grace, and had come up with nothing. “It is not very difficult; at least I hope not.” Eunice paused, still trying to find a way of putting it. And, nothing came. “I have decided that I would like to be introduced to the more forward thinking members of Polite Society. It is something I should have done years ago, but while Alasdair was alive, I let him influence me. Too much.” Grace shook her head as if not understanding. Eunice continued. “By doing so, I allowed him to lead Dominic astray.”
Grace pressed her lips together and choked, but her eyes danced with merriment. “I do not think you need to worry that Merton is spending time in bad company. Quite the contrary I would imagine. I could ask Worthington, yet I seriously doubt he will have heard your son has been rambling around the gaming halls and flesh houses.”
And that was exactly the problem. “No, no, my dear, you mistake me. I would feelbetterif Dominic was behaving like a normal young man. Instead”—Eunice frowned—“he has never given me a day of worry.”
Grace chuckled, but quickly sobered. “Yes, I quite see your point. He would have been better off being allowed to get into some scrapes. Or rebelling and having to find his own way of viewing the world.”
“I’m so glad you understand.” Yet the question was would Grace help her? “When my brother was alive he instilled a fanatical notion of duty and self-consequence in Merton. I know Alasdair was only trying to be respectful of the family’s heritage, but I do not think it has done Dominic any good at all. Rather, it has done him a great deal of bad.” Eunice balanced the cup of tea Grace handed her on her lap then took a sip. “He is not yet out of his twenties and a dead bore. Which would not have made his father at all happy. When I think of the larks David kicked up before we were married, well . . . Dominic should be having the same type of fun. I did have great expectations when he came on the Town that he would dosomethingto create a stir, but my hopes were dashed.” Eunice could not stop herself from sighing. “Even his mistresses are dull.”
Another burble of laughter escaped Grace.
“Go ahead and laugh, my dear, but I saw one of them. You cannot imagine what a depressing sight it was. She was dressed like a governess.”
“But, ma’am, perhaps it wasn’t his mistress. It mighthavebeen a governess or some other poor relation.”
Eunice shook her head. “Dominicin a sporting carriage with agoverness?No matter how gently bred she was, he’s much too high in the instep for that. Aside from that, he had no reason to be with either a governess or a poor relation. He would have handed her immediately over to me.”
Grace went into whoops. At least someone could see the humor in Dominic’s behavior. To the best of Eunice’s knowledge, he had never even been in his altitudes.
Finally Grace brought herself under control, though her voice was a bit shaky. “Naturally, I am glad to be of assistance. But how will my introducing you to the more liberal set influence Merton?”
Eunice waved her fingers in the air. “He escorts me to all my entertainments, no matter how tedious. Therefore, if I attend a party or musical, he will as well. I just hope it is not too late to save him.”
Grace was quiet for a few moments, then said, “Lady Thornhill’s drawing room.”
“Ah, yes.” Eunice had heard that name before and tried to place it. “Is she the bluestocking who has poets, painters, and other artists at her home?”
“The very one.” Grace nodded and leaned forward, obviously warming to the scheme. “If you think that might be too much of a shock for Merton, I am sure any of my friends would be happy to send you cards to their balls. Truth be told, despite how Worthington and his sisters feel, Mertonisextremely eligible and can be trusted to behave. All the entertainments I am attending with the girls will have a number of young people present. I can send round a note or two if you would like. Once the hostesses know you are interested, you should begin receiving invitations.”
“That would be the perfect place to start.” Rising, Eunice held her hands out to Grace. “Thank you so much. I knew I could depend on you.”
“For your sake, I hope it works. I shall have to remember to tell Worthington not to make fun of Merton.” Grace had a doubtful look on her face as if she would have difficulty with the task.
There was nothing for it. Eunice might as well let Grace know that she knew how bad the situation between their families was. “I heard what his sisters call Dominic.”
