Christopher sighed. “This lady is no tease, Uncle. She is a proper lady. She is…” he shook his head as he thought of her, “there is something ever so special about her.”
“Might I know her?”
He shrugged. “Perhaps. Lady Rowena Burton. She is the daughter of-”
“The Earl of Hazelshire. I know exactly who she is. A beauty if ever there was one. Although…” he tilted his head to one side, “I understand she is imminently to be betrothed to the Duke of Thornmouth. You may remember him. You met him at the House of Lords not long ago.”
Christopher nodded, “I have had the questionable pleasure to get to know him better. And I understand there is to be a betrothal, but it is not yet official. Thus, it could be undone.”
His uncle blinked and then nodded. “In theory, yes. But it would be a scandal. Thornmouth has made quite a show of telling everyone who would listen how madly in love he is with the lady. And his Father has made no secret of his willingness to go forward with a match. It would be very damaging to Hazelshire if he backed out of the arrangement.”
“But not impossible.”
“No, not at all. Since there is no written contract. However, I advise you to proceed with caution. Thornmouth is not only one of the highest-ranking Lords, but he is determined and no pushover. You do not want to get on his bad side. For that matter, neither will Hazelshire. This young woman must have made quite the impression on you for you to even consider such a possibility.”
Christopher broke into a wide smile at the thought of her.
“She is special. Her heart and her mind call out to me. I feel right when I am with her, as if there was a part of me missing until I met her.”
“Love at first sight. I know exactly what you mean. I experienced the same with your aunt. I knew it was her when I saw her standing across the room at court. She claims she knew it too, but I suspect her of fibbing. I believe it wasn’t until she heard my deep baritone voice that she fell for me,” he broke into roaring laughter, for his voice was by no means deep, nor anywhere near the range of baritone. In fact, his uncle’s voice was very high for a man and something he’d struggled with much of his life.
“So, you understand my dilemma.”
“Somewhat. Of course, your aunt was not promised to anyone at the time, and I was in a position to provide prospects for her family. And it helped that her brother, your dear Father, took to me right from the start.”
Christopher thought it over. He knew how he felt for Lady Rowena, and he had a good suspicion she at least was partial to him as well. Much more so than to the dastardly Duke Thornmouth.
“I know I do not have much to offer Lord Hazelshire. Although, he appeared eager to make a match of me with his younger daughter, Catherine. He all but forced us to dance.”
His uncle’s eyes brightened. “Is that so? Well, he certainly must see something in you, if he is willing to consider you for his younger daughter. It cannot be your wealth for that has dwindled somewhat. For the moment.”
“The vineyard. Summerwind Wines. He is asking my help with a vineyard he purchased in Shropshire that is not going well.”
His uncle smiled and shook his index finger.
“And there it is. Your opportunity. You already have an establish rapport with the father. He’s willing to consider you for his daughter. Now you only have to convince him that it is his other daughter he ought to consider you to marry.”
Christopher leaned forward. “How do I do that?”
“Simple. Make yourself indispensable when it comes to the vineyard. Gain his trust. Let him see what a wonderful person you are. Truth be told, Thornmouth has a rotten temper and is prone to fits of rage. You are a much better prospective son-in-law, and with any luck, Hazelshire will soon think so as well. First things first. Get yourself an invitation to Lord Hazelshire’s home.”
Christopher nodded. “He already asked me to meet him at White’s tomorrow, perhaps the next step will be an invitation to his home.”
Uncle Nestor leaned back and cross one leg over the other. “You have a sharp mind. You are your Father’s son, indeed.”
Christopher placed one elbow on the arm of his chair and rested his head in his hand. An invitation to dinner should not be difficult to get.
Making myself indispensable should not be too difficult either. I am a rather sharp tack, if I do say so myself.
Satisfied with the plan, Christopher rose.
“I thank you for your advice, Uncle. I shall wake Henry now, for I require his assistance in this new venture.”
He bowed his head to his uncle and made his way out of the room, a spring in his step.
He would make her his yet. Thornmouth or no Thornmouth. Lady Rowena would be his love. He was certain of it.
Chapter 12
