‘I think she’ll be delighted,’ Peter answered. ‘How long is it since she made the journey that far north?’
‘It was before Nicholas was born I think,’ Grace responded. ‘She’s certain to know we are banishing her.’
‘She’s hardly being locked away with only bread and water,’ Peter scoffed.
‘Jennifer might be impulsive, but she’s astute enough to know why we’re sending her away. And I think Peter’s right – she’ll relish the idea of an adventure away from the gossipmongers.’
‘I never thought I’d hear myself say this, but I’m concerned she’ll miss nearly the whole of her second season…’ Grace let her voice trail off.
‘That will be the chief reason she agrees to go,’ countered Peter with a short laugh.
His mother sighed and nodded ‘You’re right. She has no time for Society’s current crop of popinjays, but I do so want her to make a good match. And by a good match, I mean someone who will love her forherand care nothing about her outspokenness.’
‘She is very unlikely to find such a man by participating in a London season.’ Nicholas placed a comforting hand on Grace’s shoulder. ‘You’ve always known that darling. Mayhap we are doing her a favour by broadening her horizons. By next season, the gossips will have moved on to the next unfortunate. If Jenny is still not betrothed by then, perhaps we will consider allowing her more freedom to choose her own suitor – within limits of course.’
Grace placed her hand over that of her husband. She was well aware of the huge compromise Nicholas was making. It was quite one thing to watch his sisters-in-law make complete cakes of themselves while choosing their own suitors, but giving his own daughter the same licence was an entirely different matter altogether.
Chapter Two
‘I’m to accompany Peter to our estates in Scotland.’
Both Mercedes and Victoria stared at Jennifer wordlessly for a second. ‘And Aunt Grace has agreed?’ Mercy whispered at length.
Jennifer nodded. ‘If I’m being entirely honest, I have no objections. This season has so far been unbearably tedious with not one gentleman even worth dropping one’s kerchief for. And I know you both agree.’
‘Don’t you wish to be wed?’ Victoria questioned.
Jennifer gave an inelegant snort. ‘Who would have me? Especially as I’m now so out of favour.’
‘You’re still the Duke of Blackmore’s daughter,’ Mercy argued.
‘But I don’t wish to be married simply because of whose offspring I am.’
‘Well, I’m entirely certain that by next season they will have forgotten about your faux pas entirely,’ Victoria added, leaning forward to give her friend a warm hug.
‘If they haven’t, perhaps it will separate the wheat from the chaff.’
‘No, it will simply mean that those who court you despite your ruinous reputation will be either purse-pinched or ambitious.’In contrast to Victoria’s kind-hearted approach, Mercy’s was matter of fact and unembroidered.’
‘Mercy!’ Victoria protested, ‘I don’t believe that’s the case at all.’
‘I hope you’re right,’ Mercy responded, ‘but I do not believe sugarcoating the situation will help Jenny at all in the long run.’
‘Oh for goodness’ sake, I only disagreed with my father,’ Jennifer declared. ‘I do that all the time.’
‘But not in front of…’ Mercy paused, counting in her head, ‘Three Earls, two Marquesses and a Viscount.’
Jennifer scoffed. ‘Nearly all of them are actually my uncles by marriage, and by default are entirely accustomed to outspoken females.’
‘But unfortunately the one you were indirectly insulting is not.’ Mercy gave an unrepentant grin. ‘I wish I’d been there to see it.’
Jennifer sighed. ‘You are a destroyer of hope, Mercedes Stanhope. I have no idea why I call you a friend.’
‘I think you deserve better than the current crop of peacocks strutting around London’s drawing rooms,’ Mercy retorted. ‘And so do your mother and father, else they wouldn’t be sending you away.’
‘And you might meet a wonderful man who falls head over heels in love with you knowing nothing of your father’s title,’ Victoria added.
Jennifer shook her head and chuckled. ‘Truly, I don’t know what I’d do without you both.’
