Giff studied his friend. “Wife hunting?”
“Exactly.” Montagu grimaced.
“As am I. Perhaps we can help each other.” Although Giff really didn’t think he’d need much help convincing the lady he chose to marry him. He was, as his father had said, the heir to a dukedom, not bad looking, and had been told he made love charmingly.
Montagu mounted and gave Giff a dubious look. “How, if you’ve never searched for a wife before?”
“Ah.” He turned Horace, his horse, toward the Park. “This might be the first time I’m willing to be leg shackled, but it’s not my first time enticing a female. Surely a young lady will be much the same. I imagine it will be even easier than with a more experienced women. Not only that, but how many Mammas would want their daughter to reject the heir to a dukedom?”
“I suppose you’re right.” Montagu rode next to Giff. “Young ladies are disposed to do what their families wish.”
At least English ladies were. His mother and older sisters hadn’t had that attitude. But that was the Scot’s side coming out. In a way, it was a pity. He’d like a lady more like his mother. Come to think of it, the lady he chose would have to show a strong strength of will in order to please his father. “We shall see.”
* * *
Lady Alice Carpenter stared at the list she and her sisters had made.
Intelligent
Kind
Like house animals
Like children
Make us laugh, and think we are funny
Interested in the plight of the poor and unfortunate
Must support us in our charities and other ventures
Passable looking
Allow us to be ourselves
Be able to support a family
Must love us in return
Something was missing. Unfortunately, she could not think what it was. She put the list back in the drawer. It would come to her sooner or later. At the moment, she must meet her sisters for their ride in the Park. It was the first time they had been allowed to go with only a groom in attendance.
As usual, she was the first one to arrive. Robertson, her groom and a former soldier, cupped his hands to help her mount Galyna, her Cleveland Bay. True to her name, she calmly stood until Alice’s sisters, Lady Eleanor Carpenter, Alice’s twin, and Lady Madeline Vivers arrived a couple of minutes later.
Alice turned her mare toward the end of the square. “Shall we go?”
“Yes,” her sisters said in unison.
Six years ago, Alice and Eleanor’s eldest sister, Grace, who had fought for and won guardianship of them and their five brothers and sisters, had married Madeline’s brother, Matheus, the Earl of Worthington, thereby combining all eleven of the brothers and sisters into one family. Before their marriage, because just seeing the way Grace and Matt looked at each other they all knew the two were going to wed, they had decided they would refer to each other as brothers and sisters without regard to last names or blood ties. One look at Madeline, and Alice and Eleanor silently agreed that the three of them would be triplets, and they included her in everything they did. Still, Eleanor’s bond with her twin was as strong as ever. Shortly thereafter, Charlotte, their next eldest sister, Dotty, her closest friend, and Louisa, Madeline’s eldest sister, wed. They were now the Marchioness of Kenilworth, the Marchioness of Merton, and the Duchess of Rothwell respectively. The next one to wed was Augusta. She was now Lady Phineas Carter-Woods. All of them were extremely happy in their marriages. Alice wanted the same for herself and her sisters. Fortunately, Matt had told them that as long as a gentleman was eligible, the decision would be up to them.
As they trotted to the Park, it was clear that spring had indeed sprung. Trees were green with small leaves, and the forsythias were already bright yellow. Even daffodils and crocuses were coming up.
Eleanor glanced around, smiling. “I cannot believe we are finally here.”
Alice was not able to resist trying out the bored drawl she had been practicing. “We have been here for years.”
“You know what she means.” Madeline cast a glance at the sky. “We are finally making our come outs. It seems as if we have been waiting for years.”
“We have been waiting for years.” Eleanor grinned. “So have Matt and Grace.”
