Page 2 of The Duke’s Matchmaker

Gabriel was chuckling. “You know, Jonathan, before you and Violet married, you didn’t think it was so easy,” he pointed out. “I seem to recall you saying that you would never marry.”

“Well, that was very different,” Jonathan said.

“Of course it was.” Gabriel smiled. “All I’m saying is that we ought to be patient with Nathaniel as he sorts through these affairs. Remember how confounding we found it when it was our turn.”

“Very well,” Jonathan acknowledged. “And yet, I do say that Nathaniel would do well to avail himself of the benefit of our wisdom and experience. And besides, on this particular matter, the answer is quite apparent. If he wishes to marry, he must choose a lady to court. There can be no argument about that.”

“But how am I to choose?” Nathaniel shook his head in exasperation. “I don’t know which of these ladies would make a good mother. I can hardly recall which of them plays the pianoforte!”

“Lady Eleanor,” Gabriel supplied.

“Who?”

“The apple-cheeked one. Lavender gown. You danced with her earlier this evening. Come now, Nathaniel, you don’t remember that?”

“I danced with many ladies. And how on Earth do you know all this when I don’t?” Nathaniel heard the frustration in his voice. “How do you know who plays the pianoforte?”

“Well, I know Lady Eleanor because she has socialized with Agnes from time to time,” Gabriel said. “You’d know yourself if you’d asked her any questions instead of just standing there like a stone, you old grouch. But you’re fortunate, because you have me to help you. She’s the daughter of the Viscount Shrewsbury. She’s looking to wed this season—if you liked her, or if you think skill on the pianoforte is a winning attribute, she might be a fine choice.”

“I can’t even recall her face,” Nathaniel said. “This is the heart of my problem, Gabriel. It doesn’t matter how many ladies I meet—none of them ever stand out to me. None are memorable to me. Half the time, I don’t even recall their names! Lady Eleanor…she must have said that to me, and yet I feel as if this is the first time I’m hearing it.”

“You have no memory, that’s the problem,” Gabriel teased. “Of course, the right lady will make allowances for that flaw. I hope you meet her.”

“Now, hold on.” Jonathan held up a hand. “Why should he depend on memory?”

“What do you mean?” Gabriel cocked his head quizzically.

“I mean that there are so many young ladies to contend with, and as he isn’t looking for love…Nathaniel is right. It’s too much for any man to remember.” Jonathan strode over to the writing desk in the corner and retrieved a pen and a piece of paper. “We ought to put their names down,” he said.

“Put whose names down?” Nathaniel asked. “You don’t mean every unmarried lady in London.”

“Well, that would be a place to start!” Jonathan said. “How else are you to keep track, with your inability to learn even the most basic details? And look, you can mark down whether or not you liked them—maybe even write something to help you remember which is which.”

“Oh, yes,” Gabriel agreed, warming to the project. “I’m sure that will help, Nathaniel. Go on. Write down the names of as many ladies as you can think of. Start with Lady Eleanor, perhaps.”

Nathaniel wrote down Lady Eleanor of Shrewsbury.

His friends watched him expectantly. “Well, go on,” Gabriel urged.

“I don’t remember any others.” It wasn’t strictly true. There were other names in his mind. Some of them even paired with faces. But he didn’t think he could recall enough of them to give the exercise merit.

“Oh…here.” Jonathan took the paper from him. “Gabriel, help me.”

The two men bent their heads together and conferred quietly. Before them, a list began to appear. More names than Nathaniel would have believed possible were written down on the paper, most with a little note beside them that he assumed was meant to remind him of who they were. Auburn hair. Chess player. Dimples.

He stared at the list as Jonathan handed it back to him. “All right,” he said. “I have to admit…this is helpful. I can strike off the ones I know for certain aren’t right for me.”

“Yes,” Gabriel said eagerly. “And if you like someone you can draw a mark by her name.”

“Two marks if you really like her,” Jonathan chimed in. “The point is to narrow this list down to just one name, after all…when you find the one, you should put a third star.”

“Yes,” Nathaniel agreed. This idea had started off sounding a bit mad, but now he was beginning to see the wisdom in it. “This will help immensely. I should just keep it in my pocket, and then every time I dance with someone, slip away to make a note of what I thought. That way, I’ll be able to keep it all straight in my mind.”

“And if you enjoy someone’s company, you know to look for her again,” Gabriel said, laughing loudly. “Are there any you can think of that we missed here?”

“No, I think it’s a fairly exhaustive list.” He looked down at it. “This is nearly every unmarried woman in the ton.”

“Nearly,” Gabriel agreed. “Certainly all the ones I think are suitable for you to consider…I left off a few spinsters, of course, but there wouldn't be much point in pursuing someone like that when so many young ladies are vying for your attention.”