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Suddenly, the pressure to find a gentleman to fall in love with overwhelmed her. What if she did not find anyone this Season? That would mean that she must wait another entire year before a chance came again. Yet another interminable London season to try to procure a love match.
She knew that the chances of meeting and falling in love with anyone in Kent were not high. She knew everyone in the district already and there were no eligible bachelors there and not many visited and stayed long enough for such a thing to happen.
Was she doomed to cave into this proposed marriage, just to keep her grandfather and mother happy?
Firmly, she pushed the unpleasant thought aside. Shewouldfind her love match this Season. There were still so many engagements. More people were arriving for the season daily. She just had to be patient. That was all. And there was the masquerade ball this evening. There would be hundreds of people there. Surely, her future husband might be amongst them.
***
Alexander sat across from the Earl in the parlour of the fashionable townhouse in London. He gazed around. It was much better than he could have got for him and his family. The Earl had pulled some gilded strings to find them this house during high season. Lucy and his aunt were very impressed with it and having the time of their lives shopping on Bond and Regent streets.
He turned back to the Earl, gazing at him fondly. The gentleman had been around almost every day, taking him under his wing, discussing the various duties of the earldom. He had even taken Alexander to his exclusive club on Regent Street and gained him membership.
The ton were a bit wary of him at first, but as soon as they found out he was inheriting the Weaver Earldom, it changed.Nothing spoke more to these people than power, he thought sardonically.
The best part about it all was that the pressure was off him to marry the feisty Lady Olivia. The earl had told him it was no longer a condition to inherit the title and all that came with it. The lady was reluctant, to put it mildly, and the earl loved her too dearly to force her.
It had to be Olivia’s decision entirely. Alexander had to restrain himself from leaping with joy at the news. He did not think the older man would appreciate how reluctant he was to marry his granddaughter as well.
Now, they were enjoying a late afternoon brandy. Lucy and his aunt were still out shopping. Life was actually rather good. He was not even regretting his decision to postpone the trading voyage to the Caribbean. Not yet, at any rate. Perhaps the life of a country noble squire might suit him after all, as incredible as that thought was.
You will get restless again, said a small voice in his head.This life of idleness and pointless social engagements will bore you to tears, even if you have all the money in the world.
He shook it away. He had promised Lucy and his aunt time in London and he was intending to enjoy it. The future would take care of itself.
He sipped his brandy reflectively. Tonight, he was attending his very first society ball. The Earl had wrangled an invitation for him and even supplied a costume. Apparently, it was a masquerade ball. A silly affair but he was curious about it, having only ever heard about such indulgent events.
“My granddaughter will be attending the ball this evening,” said the Earl, staring at him pointedly. “Perhaps if you recognise her you might ask her to dance, Alexander.”
Alexander was taken aback. He had not encountered the feisty Lady Olivia at all in London so far. And despite it all, he was looking forward to seeing her again. He would make it his mission to spot her in the crowd.
“I will,” he replied, unable to suppress a grin. “If I recognise her, of course.”
But then he reflected that it was going to be a crowded affair. Hundreds of people, all in disguise. He probably would not even recognise her. Time would tell.
