A Most Suitable Bride - Rose Pearson

Prologue

“Lady Hayward?”

Stepping into the Duke’s study, Lady Hayward lifted her eyes to the gentleman before her, finding herself more comfortable in his presence than she had in the past. They had begun to form a closer acquaintance these last few years and she had been grateful for his help with her sons. He had aided her eldest, the recently titled Lord Hayward, in all of his duties and in matters of business. Her younger son was also being instructed and guided in matters of business, meaning that she herself had no concerns as regarded her sons’ futures. With the Duke of Landon guiding them, she had every confidence that they would do very well indeed. In return, of course, she had been charged with assisting the Duke’s daughters to find suitable matches and, thus far, had been quite successful.

However, Lady Maria was proving something of a concern, it seemed.

“I thank you for coming,” the Duke began, waving her towards a chair as he himself rose from behind his large mahogany desk and came towards her, before easing himself into a large, comfortable looking chair that was a little closer to the fire. It was almost spring by now, of course, but the evenings could still be a little chilly.

“But of course,” Lady Hayward replied, quickly. “You know that I have been very glad to assist with Lady Maria these last two weeks. She is fully prepared to return to London with me now.”

The Duke nodded, although his green eyes glittered with doubt.

“She has,” he said, slowly, “already enjoyed one spring Season. And thereafter, was in London prior to Christmas.”

Lady Hayward nodded, spreading her hands.

“I am aware of that, Your Grace,” she answered quietly, understanding now that the Duke’s concern was that Lady Maria might not find a suitable match. “However, last Season she was simply acquainting herself with London and the beau monde. There is, of course, a great deal to take in.”

“And during the winter months?”

Lady Hayward allowed herself a small shrug.

“London is quieter then,” she stated plainly, although she knew full well that such a thing had not prevented Lady Charity from securing an excellent match. “It might simply be that the gentlemen who were expected to be present simply were not.”

After a moment, the Duke let out a long, heavy sigh and shook his head. Then he settled his elbows on the arms of his chair and pressed his fingertips together to make an arch, looking at her steadily over the top of them. Lady Hayward shifted a little in her chair, feeling somewhat unsettled at the scrutiny she was presently under, beginning to fear that the Duke was concerned that she might be the reason for his daughter’s lack of success.

“Lady Hayward,” he continued, his tone rather practical. “I would have you be truthful with me.”

She nodded.

“But of course.”

“My daughter is…” His eyes flicked to one side of the room as he searched for the right words to say. “She is a little different from her sisters.” Resisting the urge to ask what such a statement meant or, in fact, to disagree with it as she wished, Lady Hayward wisely chose to remain silent. “She is a bluestocking,” he continued, bluntly. “There is no hiding it. She has read a great deal and is very intelligent indeed.” A small, somewhat indulgent smile pulled at his lips. “I will not pretend that I have prevented her from becoming so, although perhaps I ought to have done.”

“I do not think that you would have been right in such a thing, Your Grace,” she replied, swiftly. “There is nothing improper about a young lady having intelligence and wit.”

“But if she does nothing but read, learn and explore all manner of things, instead of fixing her concentration on painting, the pianoforte and the like, then surely that will make the gentlemen of the ton less inclined towards her!”

Lady Hayward hesitated, biting her lip for a moment as she clasped her hands tightly together. There was truth in the Duke’s statement, but she did not want to admit it aloud. To do so would be to imply that there was something wrong with Lady Maria, something which went against her when, as far as Lady Hayward herself was concerned, to be an avid reader and to know a very great deal indeed was nothing short of wonderful.

“It may push aside certain gentlemen,” she said, speaking with great consideration as she weighed up every word. “But, as with your other daughters, I am