Augusta grinned. “May Duke come with me?”
Matt released the Great Dane. “If he’ll go.”
“Come, Duke, come.” Augusta clapped her hands and took off running with Duke loping after her.
Louisa squeezed his arm. “This was a very good idea, Matt.”
He glanced down at his sister. She was a beautiful girl. This Season was going to be hell. He finally understood what his friend Harry Marsh went through when Anna came out. “Why thank you. I do have them at times.”
She smiled up at him, clearly delighted. “Will we see you more now that we are all in Town?”
He started them ambling toward the other girls. “Yes, I shall be living at Worthington House this Season, and I’ll attend many of the same entertainments as you.” He tapped her nose as he’d done since she was a baby. “If for no other reason than to keep all the gentlemen in line.”
Louisa took a breath, and she suddenly looked very young. “Do you think I shall be a success?”
Matt took out his quizzing glass and pretended to study her. She was taller than average with sable-brown curls and blue eyes. Her nose was straight and her complexion clear. Her generous mouth curved up excitedly. “I predict you will be a Diamond of the First Water.”
She smiled ecstatically. “Truly?”
“Without a doubt.” His grin faded. “Louisa, you must promise to tell me if any man makes advances toward you, or makes you feel uncomfortable. If any of them wish to address you, they must speak with me first.”
She nodded. “Yes, Matt, I promise.”
He would introduce her to Phoebe and Anna. Both ladies waited until they’d found the right gentlemen to wed. “And don’t worry about marrying this Season unless you meet someone you love deeply and he loves you.”
Louise tucked her arm in his. “I shall do everything you tell me to do.”
He didn’t believe that for a moment. Not that she’d purposely do something he didn’t like, just that some gentleman might overcome her good sense, and she had a tendency to want her own way. He patted her hand. “Good girl. Then we shall come off without a hitch.”
He fervently prayed he would find his lady quickly so he could watch over his sister and keep her away from the rakes, rogues, and fortune hunters lurking around innocent young ladies, hoping to take advantage.
Matt arrived home to find a note from Anna asking if his stepmother and sister would like to accompany her to Madame Lisette’s on the morrow. He glanced at his butler, Thorton. “Please ask Lady Worthington to attend me in my study.”
“Yes, my lord.”
A few minutes later, Patience knocked. “What is it? Not the children, I hope.”
Matt grinned and handed her the note. “Only one of them. Anna Rutherford would like to know if you and Louisa are able to go to Madame Lisette’s in the morning.”
Chapter Seven
The following morning, the bell on the door of Madame Lisette’s shop tinkled as Grace, Phoebe, and Charlotte walked in.
“Ah, bonjour, miladies.Lady Eves . . . ah, bah,excusez-moi.”
Phoebe’s eyes sparkled with humor. “Madame, you may still call me Lady Phoebe.”
“Non, non,it is not proper. I shall practice.” She turned to Grace and Charlotte. “These are the ladies about which you wrote me?”
“Yes, Madame. Lady Grace Carpenter, Lady Charlotte, allow me to introduce you to Madame Lisette. Madame, Lady Grace Carpenter and her sister, Lady Charlotte.”
Madame curtseyed gracefully. She was a small, energetic lady. Her dark hair laced lightly with silver.
Madame studied them with an experienced eye. “You will both need everything,non?”
“I will not be attending many balls,” Grace responded. Particularly if Worthington was searching for her. That meeting, if it ever occurred, would be on her terms. “My aunt is sponsoring my sister for her come out. Please concentrate on her first.”
“Ah oui?” Madame said. “Well then, Lady Charlotte, come with me.”
