“What?” Chance barked, then clamped his mouth tightly shut and bowed his head. “I beg your pardon, Walters. It is not your fault I am saddled with impossible sisters who drive me to the limits of my patience.”
The ancient butler stood in the doorway, blinking like a great horned owl waking for its nightly hunt. The duke’s apology obviously made him uncomfortable.
Fortuity had to smile. Old Walters had been with the Broadmeres since before any of them were born. The devoted servant refused to take his pension. And, in truth, she couldn’t imagine their household without him and their equally ancient housekeeper, Mrs. Flackney.
Chance lifted his head and squared his shoulders. “What is it, Walters?”
The butler extended a small silver salver bearing a single note. “A messenger awaits a response, else I would have placed it in the library with today’s correspondence for your later perusal.”
Frowning, Chance took it, eyed the wax seal, then arched a blond brow at Fortuity. “It is from Lord Ravenglass.”
It took everything within her to maintain a nonchalant façade. Her family already possessed an opinion regarding her feelings toward the viscount, but there was no sense in fueling that opinion. “Open it.”
He opened the single page and stared down at it, slowly shaking his head as he read. “I cannot possibly,” he said under his breath. He looked up and motioned for Fortuity to come closer. “He wishes us to join him on an outing to Dulwich Picture Gallery of Southwark. Today.”
“Us? There are a good many ofuscurrently in this parlor, brother. How many carriage loads of Broadmeres does Matthew hope to entertain?”
Chance gave her a look that shouted he did not appreciate her levity. “You and I, dear sister. But I cannot possibly. Not when our infernal solicitor insists upon my meeting with our estate steward before spring is fully upon us.”
“I am sure Mr. Sutherland, the elder, is only following Papa’s wishes.” Relief filled her. If Chance couldn’t accept the invitation, then neither could she, and that would relieve her of the uncomfortable task of facing Matthew again so soon. “Besides, I do not think it wise, do you? If Matthew and I are nothing more than friends, how would it look for me to join him on an outing today after dancing with him twice last night?”
Her brother’s eyes took on a dangerous twinkle. “As I said earlier, perhaps Ravenglass’s feelings toward you have changed.He needs an heir, since his cousins are female, and I daresay he would rather one of his own blood inherit the fruits of his labors rather than some distant relative he has never known.” He turned and eyed the other five sisters still seated in the lineup always formed for family meetings. “Serendipity?”
With a pained look, Serendipity shook her head. “I couldn’t, possibly. I already committed to tea with Lady Burrastone.”
“I’ll go,” Merry volunteered.
“I cannot,” Joy announced. “Lady Edith’s daughter is dying to learn how to win at whist, and I promised to teach her this afternoon.”
“Ahem?” Merry waved both hands. “I can go.”
“I am busy as well,” Felicity said, “helping Cook with next week’s menu.”
“What about me?” Merry asked quite loudly.
“You are the youngest, Merry,” Chance said with a shake of his head.
“I am ten and seven and quite able to tattle on my sister should she attempt to steal a kiss.”
“No,” Chance told her, then pointed at Grace. “Congratulations.”
Grace slid lower in her chair. “I abhor the Picture Gallery, and besides, I was not invited.” She wagged a finger at him and Fortuity. “The two of you were named. It would be most rude of me to step in. Politely decline.”
“She makes a fair point,” Fortuity said. She didn’t wish to go either but knew if she fought Chance too vigorously, it would only make him dig in and strive harder to make her go. Her brother was the most stubborn of all of them. “Besides, I agree with Grace. I would much prefer a visit to the British Museum. Perhaps we can consider an outing there at some other time when the memory of yesterday evening’s gossip fades. All you need do is tell the messenger to relay our thanks, but today’sdiaries—in fact, the remainder of this week’s diaries—are full.” She inwardly cringed at Chance’s thoughtful expression. Instinct warned she may have pushed a mite too hard.
“No. You and Grace shall go, but we will inform the messenger of your preference to visit the British Museum rather than the Picture Gallery. Lord Ravenglass may call for you at three, thereby making your outing quite appropriate and before intimate calling hours.” He moved closer, his smile growing broader with each step. “Discover his intentions, Tutie.” He turned and arched a brow at Grace. “Help your sister in this effort, please?”
Grace rolled her eyes and deflated with a dismal huff.
“Chance—” Fortuity closed her mouth, giving up before she even started. There was no use fighting him on this. He had made up his mind. All she could do was go along with it, apologize to Matthew, and advise him to stay as far away from the as-yet-unattached Broadmere sisters as possible. That realization hurt her heart and made her eyes sting with tears she couldn’t possibly let anyone see. She shooed him away as she turned to leave the room. “Do as you wish—as you always do. As Blessing once so accurately noted, you are a male. You always get your way.”
*
“We should haveoffered to meet him at the British Museum and then gone elsewhere.” Grace dropped onto the settee in the small parlor, still pouting about being forced to act as chaperone.
“That would not have been kind,” Fortuity said. Although she had to admit the idea held merit. “And sit properly. You know how Mama felt about poor posture.”
Adopting her usual defiant glare, Grace remained slouched against the cushions. “Do you truly wish to see Lord Ravenglass today?”
