“At your service, Miss Viola,” they each said in turn.
Sighing, Alexander shifted the topic to general Ardley matters since he was not going to discuss the matter of finding himself a bride while others were in the room. He and Viola spoke of the Midsummer Fair planned by the Ardley shopkeepers council, then moved on to discussing the condition of the schoolhouse and what repairs were needed.
Their main course was trout served with potatoes and onions in a cream sauce. It was a heavy meal and he knew Viola would have prepared something far better. He watched as she nudged the cream off to the side of her plate, liking it no better than he had.
He dismissed the footmen once the main course had been cleared and their tea and ginger cake brought out.
“Let’s get back to this bride hunt business,” he suggested now that they were alone.
“Yes, let’s. I was thinking you really ought to invite five young ladies to better your odds of finding one or two who are suitable.”
“No, three will do. It is all I can handle. And I think perhaps I do not want to invite my parents. I would rather not have them hovering over me, holding their breaths every time I dance with one of those diamonds. Nor do I need them pushing me toward one of their favorites.”
“Assuming they decide upon a favorite.”
“Oh, they will. My parents are not subtle, especially not my father. He hounded Gabriel to distraction, tossing one horrid prospect after another at him every chance he got. Blessed saints, he has the worst taste imaginable.”
His look of mock horror made her laugh. “Even so, you must invite your parents. It is the first party you’ve held in over two years. They would be devastated if you snubbed them. I gather you have no such hesitation about inviting your brother.”
“None whatsoever. He’s an excellent brother and Daisy is delightful. I’ll introduce you to them once they arrive.”
“No, I’m the hired help.”
“You are not. Besides, you need to meet them for completely practical reasons. Gabriel and Daisy are the perfect ones to help settle you in a respectable household if you choose to find a position in London.”
“I see.” A shadow fell across her eyes. “Of course. I must think of my future.”
He placed his hand over hers. “I’ve given your father my word that I shall help you in every way possible. You’ll have my entire family to assist you in finding the right place for yourself. You will not be alone and you will never be destitute.”
“Thank you, my lord. I’ll do my best not to be a burden to you or ever let you down.”
He gave her hand a light squeeze when he felt it tremble within his. “You won’t let me down or ever be burdensome, Viola.”
He was reluctant to let her go, but dared not hold onto her slim fingers any longer.
They worked at the dining room table, reading through the remaining gossip rags. Finally, after cross-referencing the families inDebrett’s, they decided upon a third young lady, one from last year’s batch of diamonds.
Viola cast him a triumphant smile. “Congratulations, my lord. Your party is officially underway.”
The prospect did not appeal to him at all. “Kindly do not look so cheerful as I am led to my doom.”
“For pity’s sake,” she said with a roll of her dark, gorgeous eyes. “It is a party not a battlefield. Let’s finalize the invitation list next. I still think we ought to ask your mother’s advice on it before invitations are sent out.”
“We are not asking my mother.” He cast her a wry smile. “I think you keep raising the suggestion because you like to irk me.”
She laughed. “No, I assure you. I want this party to be perfect for you. It is so easy to make a mistake, and I want this to be right. You deserve to be happy.”
“I suppose.”
“That is the most unenthusiastic response I have ever heard in my life.” She was still laughing lightly and her eyes sparkled.
Well, at least he’d made her happy.
“We still have a few minutes before I must return to the vicarage. Do you want to start planning the menu?”
“No, let’s leave the final invitation list and menu planning for tomorrow.” He rose and held out her chair to help her up. “I’ll walk you home.”
She offered no protest, probably knowing it was futile.
