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Caroline poured a couple cups and then handed them to herguests.
“Thank you,” Felicity said, smiling softly. And then she added, “I’ve been thinking about what you said a moment ago. If Georgie had been slightly less strict with me, I’m not certain I would have jumped into that horrible marriage to Aaron withbothfeet.”
“That’s hardly Georgie’s fault.” Juliet frowned as Caroline resumedherseat.
“No, no, of course not.” Felicity shook her head. “I didn’t mean to imply that it was. The fault is entirely mine, and I was actually younger than Rachel is now when I ended up married the first time. But I’m thinking about the thoughts and feelings I had at the time. So you certainly don’t have to pay my council any heed at all, it’s just… perhaps if Rachel has a bit of freedom to be independent and doesn’t feel so confined, she might not be so inclined to do something extraordinarily foolish the moment she has a bitofroom.”
Caroline wasn’t sure what she thought about that. It sounded perfectly fine, she supposed in theory, but not quite so fine in the reality of guiding her daughter. “I will certainly consider your words,” she said, though she had no intention of doing that at all. But Felicity’s heart was in the right place and there was no reason to discount the girl when she was simply tryingtohelp.
Simmons cleared his throat from the doorway and drew Caroline’s attention to him. “The Earl of Peasemore is here to see you,milady.”
Peasemore? Heavens! She wasn’t ready for the earl yet. But he was here, so there was nothing for it. But before she could give instructions to herbutler…
“Oh, do send him in,” Felicity said with what sounded like feignedcheerfulness.
What was that about? Caroline glanced at the young viscountess, hoping to get some clue from the lady’s demeanor. But Felicity looked as serene as one possibly could. So Caroline turned her attention back to her butler and nodded for Simmons to follow Felicity’s instructions. A moment later, Lord Peasemore, looking as dashing as ever in a blue jacket and buff trousers, strode into the parlor and halted in his step the moment he spottedFelicity.
“Well, Sebastian Alder,” Felicity began airily, “as I live and breathe. Fin will be so relieved to learn you are still among theliving.”
He seemed to swallow a bit uncomfortably. “Dramatic as ever, I see,” hereturned.
“Some things never change.” She shrugged. “And neither dosomepeople.”
“I had no idea you were in Town.” Peasemore walked further into the room and stopped in front of the chintz chair that was the exact match of Caroline’s. “You may tell my cousin that I’ll visit him shortly,” he said as he tooktheseat.
“Fin will be thrilled, I’m certain.” Felicity beamed at the earl. “Now that we’ve dealt with that, Sebastian, I’m practically dying to know why you’re calling at StaveleyHouse.”
The earl shook his head. “Well, Lady Staveley and I are old friends,” he said even though that wasn’t true in the least. In fact, this last week, Caroline had spoken with Peasemore more than she had in at least a dozen seasons, she was sure. But as he clearly didn’t want the other ladies to know the real reason for his visit, she wasn’t about to say as much. “I hardly think it’s unusual to call on one’s friends, Felicity. You don’t see me questioning yourvisit.”
Which might have taken things abitfar…
Felicity scoffed. “Honestly, Sebastian, if you’re going to lie, you should be better at it. I have known Caroline the better part of my life. And I know for a fact the same can’t be said for you.” She shook her head, making her blonde curls bounce with surety. “So that can only make me wonder the true nature of your visit. Are you up to something nefarious? You’ve certainly piqued myinterestnow.”
He heaved an unhappy sigh. “Do you know I suggested that Fin should marry you? I am now rethinking thatadvice.”
“Too late for that,” she said cheerfully. “Now out with it. What are you really up to? You know I’ll find outanyway.”
Peasemore leaned back in his chair, a look of resignation settled across his too-handsome face. “Grandmother has made it quite clear that I need a bride. So I’ve enlisted Lady Staveley’s assistance in thatregard.”
Apparently, Felicity wasn’t expecting that answer as her brow creased in response. “Abride?”
“Most fellows do eventually marry,” hetoldher.
“Yes,” Felicity agreed cautiously. “But that doesn’t mean theyshould.”
“Felicity,” Juliet breathed out inadmonishment.
But that didn’t even make the young viscountess pause. “I’m entirely serious. I barely escaped with my life from my first marriage. The institutionisfor life. And rushing into something because the duchess has commanded it hardly seems like the propercourse.”
At that, Peasemore scowled slightly, looking quite affronted. “I do hope you’re not comparing me to AaronPierce.”
“Of course not.” Felicity shook her head. “Situations do not have to be as dire as mine was to make two people who are wrong for each other, who married for the wrong reasons, unhappy all of theirlives.”
“Which is precisely why I’m here.” He heaved a sigh. “Lady Staveley is positively famous for her brilliant matches. I have all the confidence in the world she can help me find the right girl, one who will make me happy the rest ofmydays.”
Felicity turned her piercing blue eyes on Caroline. “Do you have such a paragon in mind,Caroline?”
“Not yet,” she admitted. “Though this morning, I was thinking perhaps Lady RosalieRatcliffe.”
