“The Misses Seymour, Nash and Hamilton. Sounds like a firm of fusty lawyers but is in fact a trio of spinsters, so not far off.”
“VeritySeymour?”
Alasdair narrowed his gaze. “You know her?”
“A long time ago. Why do you call them that?”
“It’ll cost you a bottle of this fine Glenlivet.”
Damn extortion. And from one’s own relative. “Done.”
“Miss Seymour came to London and took up residence at her father’s townhouse some…” Dair flung himself on the settee,threw one arm along the back and squinted at the ceiling plasterwork. “Five or so years ago, along with an eccentric aunt. Then she acquired a ruined female cousin along the way, hence the Scarlet Spinsters sobriquet, though I’m pretty sure it was only the cousin who was ruined but you know what the rags are like.”
“Where did you meet Miss Seymour?”
“Meet?” His head rose. “I haven’t met her. How can one? The spinsters never venture to routs, balls, dinners or parties. Hence my surprise at their attendance. My knowledge of Miss Seymour is pure hearsay and gossip. I do know she drives a green phaeton and paints cats. According to theHerald, she also promenades St James’s Park with her passel of relatives but far too early in the morn for me to be about. Unless I’m returning home.”
Miles shook his head. “Any talk of a past fiancé? With a botanical garden?”
“Why do you ask?” Alasdair blinked. “I say, she’s not the one that…” He let out a low whistle. “Well, I never.”
Miles grimaced and wished that when he’d first arrived in London, he’d not allowed Alasdair to take him to dinner. Then Watier’s. Then Boodles. Then some ale-house in Cheapside where he’d talked…overmuch. “Miss Seymour was the fickle girl from that summer in my youth,” he merely stated with a nonchalant nod.
Dair cast a sly smile. “Then you must certainly attend. For other prospects are never in shortage.” But his smile faltered.
It had been meant in camaraderie but Miles had learned to read men well in the army and Dair’s own words had upset him in some way.
Nevertheless, Miles would prefer to eat his own liver than attend a dinner at which Verity Seymour was present. “No. For as you know, I’m also incapable of doing the pretty at such affairs. My manners are too blunted.”
Dair rolled his eyes and smirked into his whisky. “Oh, come now, there must be something you can prattle about. Literature, perhaps?”
“At the colonel’s dinner, his wife, a charming lady, asked me what I thought of Byron’s poems. I was like a soldier sent into battle without a sword.”
“Well, just act the brooding war hero then – shouldn’t be too difficult. Ladies will love it.” Dair smirked. Again. “Just give them the odd tale of heroism to induce batted lashes. Though spare us the nitty-gritty of wounds and blood, especially if you’re bride-hunting.”
Miles grunted. “Surely I can recruit a bride with less faff.”
“Recruit?” Dair huffed a breath. “With such romance, you’ll hardly be fighting them off. Attend, Cousin. Sounds like you need the practice.”
Miles crossed his arms and returned his own sly smile. “If you attend also as my guest.”
“Damnation, no! The gentlemen likely owe me coin, and I’m not hunting a bride. Ever.”
“That’s settled then. Neither of us go.”
“No, it isn’t. As the new earl you need to beard the lion’s den and enter society. Mrs Tait’s dinners are perfect. And don’t I recall you wishing to meet Lord Ludford? He has some…blue things that you want.”
“The tender agapanthus you mean. His father collected them.”
“Well then, you could bend his ear and woo the hostess’ daughter at the same time. Snaffle two birds in one dinner – a cock and a pigeon.”
Not sure which was which, Miles pointed a finger. “Not unless you attend also. All I’ve done for years is bark commands, commiserate about foot rot and propose battle lines, so if I’m to hunt a bride then you can bloody well help.”
“What do you want me to do?” Dair scowled. “Have first helpings?”
Miles held his cousin’s scowl, did not blink and rapped his fingers on the chair arm.
“Oh, very well then. It will give me a chance to meet the Scandalous Scarlet Spinsters. Including your Miss Seymour.” Dair winked, then glared at his empty glass. “I’d best be off. Unless you wish to accompany me to a gaming hell over the river? Has bad women, bad booze and bad players.”
