Page 64 of Courting the Wrong Duke

William reached calmly for the coffee pot. “Ah. So this is a matter of quantity.”

“It is a matter of effort.” She sighed again. “Do you know how exhausting it is attempting to arrange introductions for a son determined to thwart every one of them?”

“I can only imagine.”

“It has given me a dreadful headache.”

William poured his coffee. “I suspect the champagne may have contributed.”

His mother gasped. “William Sinclair!”

“I merely offer a medical opinion.”

“I had two glasses.”

“Three.”

She frowned. “Perhaps three.”

William stirred his coffee. “Fortunately, I do not believe you shall need concern yourself with arranging any further introductions.”

The room grew noticeably quieter.

Even Algernon lowered the newspaper by an inch.

His mother narrowed her eyes. “What have you done?”

William looked up. “I have decided to begin courting Lady Rosalind Carlisle.”

Silence.

His mother stared at him.

Then, quite suddenly, every trace of her headache seemed to disappear. “You have?”

“I have.”

A smile spread slowly across her face. “My dear boy…” She reached across the table as though she might actually embrace him then and there. “I always said she was an exceptional young lady.”

“I believe you have mentioned it once or twice.”

“At least a dozen.”

William smiled into his coffee.

Her delight lasted only a few moments before practicality reasserted itself. Then her expression became thoughtful. “William…”

“Yes?”

“You must consider this carefully.”

He looked up.

“She is precisely the sort of young woman I should wish for you.” She hesitated. “But the scandal surrounding her family remains fresh.”

“I am aware.”

“Offering friendship is one thing.” Her gaze searched his face. “Courting her is another.”