Marcus found himself still in his drawing room in the early morning hours. Radler was already staying with him and had dragged Kendrickson along for brandy. They both said it was desperately needed, as they’d had nothing of the sort at Almack’s.
“Well, Kendrickson,” Radler said, “you’ve met several ladies with heavy purses, the only one of note not present this evening was Miss Richards. Her money comes from trade, of course. Though her mother is the daughter of a viscount, so that must weigh in her favor.”
“Her money will be as good as anybody else’s, I reckon,” Kendrickson said. “Though we’ll never set eyes on her at Almack’s.”
“But of those you did meet?” Radner pressed on. “Was there anything hopeful in it?”
Kendrickson downed his brandy and Radner helpfully refilled it. “I liked at least two of the ladies, but I have not the first idea what they thought of me. That will be the trick of it.”
“Which two, though?” Radler asked.
Marcus sighed. They were like two old women talking together.
“I would have to say that Lady Alice and Lady Patience both stood out for me.”
Marcus set his brandy down. He found he did not like that idea, though he had not the least cause to be against it. He had no claim on either lady. He did not wish to have a claim on any lady so soon in the season.
It was just that Lady Alice had been made out to be someone well suited to him and Lady Patience, well, she was very alive and difficult to turn away from.
“Lady Patience seems to understand my circumstances without fanning herself over it,” Kendrickson said.
Yes, Marcus supposed that would be the case. He could not imagine Lady Patience fanning herself over much. She seemed a rather stalwart personality. He did not suppose he’d ever encountered a lady who was not afraid of mistakes because they probably would not kill her.
“And then, Lady Alice. She is more serious than I would generally like. I knew it, and tried to match it as best I could. That is not ideal, but I do like her looks exceedingly. I have a weakness for black hair and blue eyes—you don’t see it much.”
“I suppose both ladies will attend Lady Jenner’s musical evening on the morrow,” Radler said. “A lady does not like to be left behind in showing off her musical ability.”
“Lady Patience’s duke invited me to dinner on Tuesday next,” Marcus blurted out, apropos of absolutely nothing.
Both gentlemen turned to him. “Lucky,” Kendrickson said.
“Excellent, we are going, then. I supposed we would. The duke invited me as well,” Radner said. “I told him I’d have to check with my host. Meaning you.”
“I said I’d have to check my calendar and would let him know,” Marcus said.
“Are you daft?” Radner said. “The only thing of note on the calendar Tuesday next is Mrs. Henning’s rout. It will be the usual stupid crush of uninteresting people.”
“Surely you will accept,” Kendrickson said, eyeing him as if he had two heads.
“Hmm, well, if it is just the rout…”
He found himself playing for time, though he did not know why. It was only a dinner. Probably a very large dinner, as it was a duke hosting it. The man likely just needed to fill two last seats with gentlemen. He should not read any more into it than that.
“I swear your mental paralysis will be the death of me,” Radler said.
“My mind is not paralyzed,” Marcus said with some asperity. Although, it did feel a little paralyzed. Perhaps he noticed it more because of everything Lady Patience had said on the subject of decisiveness.
He did not wish to view himself as indecisive. It seemed…weak. Surely there was a sensible balance between careful planning and indecisiveness. Of course there was.
“How long will you take to decide?” Kendrickson said. “He is a duke, he might become offended if you take too long.”
“I have not taken long at all. As there is nothing compelling on the calendar for that evening, I have decided. I will accept.”
There. He’d said it. Now he supposed he must do it. Even if he’d not come to any firm conclusions regarding the wisdom of it.
Since he had committed himself, he supposed he could allow himself to look forward to seeing Lady Patience again. And perhaps seeing her tomorrow night too.
After all, there was that particular something about her and it was perfectly fine to admire the lady. There was no danger in that whatsoever.
