“Probably not. She is Lady Grace Carpenter.”
His cousin frowned. “Stanwood?”
“Yes, the current earl’s elder sister.”Who won’t admit me into her presence right now.
Merton saluted Matt. “To your health.”
Matt grinned. “To my health. Are you going to tell me what brings you to Town? I thought you’d decided to travel abroad.”
Merton sighed. “My mother. She’s taken it into her head I must marry. Consequently, I’m here to look at the latest crop of young ladies.”
“You’re only twenty-eight, what is her hurry?”
“Lord, I wish I knew.” He settled back into his chair. “You don’t think she’s got wind of your betrothal, do you?”
“Anything’s possible. As long as you stay away from the two young ladies I’m responsible for, I wish you luck with the rest. It shouldn’t be too hard. Just be sure to remind them you’re a marquis.”
Merton did rake his fingers through his perfectly coifed hair. “Am I never to live that down?”
Worthington grinned. “Not in this family.”
“Fine way to treat the head of the family,” Merton grumbled.
Matt’s good humor fled, and anger he was an idiot for feeling, surged through him. “You,” he bellowed, pointing at his cousin, “are not the head ofmyfamily.”
Why was he even putting up with the man? He really didn’t want Merton here now. Matt needed to figure out what to do about Grace. He’d be damned if she was going to treat him with that oppressive civility for God only knew how long.
“I told you they’d let his marquisship in.” The sound of Theodora’s disgusted tone carried from the other side of the door as only a child’s can.
Matt chuckled as Merton rubbed his temples. Thank God for Theo.
Glancing up with a pained expression, he asked, “Which one is that?”
Good, let him have a headache. He’d caused enough of them. “Theodora and she probably has Mary with her.”
“Mary?”
Merton was in for it this time. Theo didn’t like him at all. “Yes, one of Grace’s sisters.”
“We wish to see my brother.” Theo must be talking to Thorton. No one else would spend so much time arguing with her. “If you allowed his marquisship in, then we should be able to go in as well.”
Merton groaned and tossed off his brandy. “She couldn’t have been more than three or four. Doesn’t anyone in your family forget anything?”
Matt laughed. “Apparently not.” He smiled broadly. “Thorton, let them in.”
Theodora, with Mary trailing close behind, rushed in the room. His sister glanced intently at Merton, narrowed her eyes, then turned to Matt.
Although he appreciated the gesture, Patience would have his head if he let Theo get away with cutting his cousin. “Theo, stop and bid Lord Merton good day.”
Her lips set tightly together.
Matt snapped his brows together. “If you do not do as I say, you will go to your room and remain there until the morning.”
Casting him a resentful sidelong look, she curtseyed. “Good day your m—”
“Theodora. Properly.”
“My lord.”
