Men like Hadley, with their liberal views on commerce and uncaring attitude toward social mores, were a stain upon the entire British aristocracy. Impeachment would not remove Hadley from Lords nor affect his peerage title, but it could result in imprisonment for a time. Even the issuing of articles of impeachment would significantly damage Hadley’s reputation and power.
And any reduction in Hadley’s liberal influence would only further Kendall’s conservative political goals.
As if to mock the notion, another burst of laughter filtered in.
Kendall gritted his teeth.
Lady Isolde had flounced through the front door of Gilbert House not an hour past. Rather . . . she had notliterallyflounced, but the bounce in her step—and murderous glance she shot his way as she followed Allie into the small drawing-room—had called the adjective to mind.
Since then, the nonstop murmur of female voices and an occasional laugh had emanated from behind the closed door.
All in all, Lady Isolde would be much easier to ignore if the bothersome woman were not Allie’s closest friend. But with his sister’s return to London two months past, Lady Isolde had become a fixture in Gilbert House.
It was enough to drive a sensible man mad.
Ledger produced another sheet of paper. “Cartwright also compiled a list of potential opponents and possible adverse effects of pursuing articles of impeachment against Lord Hadley . . . items to perhaps discuss with Grierson and Fletcher.”
Cartwright was nothing if not diligent with his lists. Kendall appreciated that in the man.
Mmm, Cartwright’s points were salient—potential backlash from other Peers due to Kendall’s involvement in the impeachment, economic retaliation from Lord Hadley himself which could harm the dukedom’s financial assets, damage to Kendall’s own reputation . . .
The murmur of Lady Isolde’s melodic voice carried down the hallway and set all the fine hairs on his arms flaring to attention.
How was a man to eventhinkwith that termagant in the house?
“This evening, Your Grace is engaged to attend the salon of Sir Robert Sorenson, where Mr. Charles Darwin will be presenting a lecture.” Ledger glanced toward the door. “I understand Lady Allegra Penn-Leith will accompany you, as she is in residence.”
“Yes, I believe so. I will confirm with my sister.”
Once Lady Isolde departed.
His twin’s friendship with Hadley’s daughter aside, Kendall very much appreciated that Allie had returned to English soil. His sister’s bright presence made Gilbert House feel less like a mausoleum.
Her husband, Ethan, was still in Aberdeen, seeing to the affairs of his late uncle’s estate. However, Allie had opted to remain in London, both to spend time with Kendall and to assist him as a social hostess. Lady Whipple, their aunt, usually acted as his hostess, but her health was in decline, and so she had not come to London this Season.
“Is that all, Ledger?” Kendall asked.
“Not quite, Your Grace. Do you still wish to meet with your fencing master tomorrow morning?”
“Yes.” Fencing, boxing, horse riding, and other forms of physicalexertion kept Kendall sane. Exhausting his body cleared his thoughts as nothing else could.
“Very good. Additionally, Cartwright has compiled the roster you requested.” Ledger slid yet another sheet of foolscap across Kendall’s desk.
Eligible Ladies of the Tonwas written across the top in Cartwright’s precise handwriting.
Ah, yes.
As Kendall had recently passed his twenty-ninth birthday, it seemed rather time to begin searching for a wife in earnest. The dukedom required an heir. But first, he needed to narrow the field.
Ledger cleared his throat. “I spoke with Marshall”—the secretary in charge of managing Kendall’s social engagements—“and he is at the ready to issue dinner invitations to any young lady, and her parents naturally, who you wish to consider. With Lady Allegra in residence and acting as hostess, such invitations will be expected.”
“Excellent. I will review the list this evening and apprise Marshall of my decisions.”
“As you wish, Your Gra—” Ledger flinched at the sound of a particularly loud burst of mirth from the small drawing-room.
Kendall closed his eyes, breathing slowly through his nose.
It was unfortunate that women like Lady Isolde existed.
