His brother gave him a wry look. “You must admit it’s a fitting name for you. Your facial expressions are permanentlyfrozenin a scowl.”
The duke shrugged. There were worse insults, to be sure.
Peter smirked at him. “Honestly, your name could have been worse, especially after you ruined one of the most beloved bakers in London. You left half the ton scrambling for another baker who makes pastries half as good as his.”
Evan shrugged. “He gave the scullery maid unwanted advances the last time he made a delivery to the manor. What was I supposed to do? Let him keep his livelihood after that?”
Peter took a sip of his tea. “Of course, there is always the matter of the Baron of Boxton. Well, former baron, I should say. His title and wealth were properly stripped from him by the time you were through with him. The last I heard, the fellow had run off to Ireland. I doubt he will ever show his face in London again.”
Irritation prickled through Evan. “He slapped the stable boy. Perhaps everyone in London should stop hurting my staff. Then I will not ruin so many lives.”
“Of course,” Peter said. “But I doubt your cold reputation will grant you a lot of luck with the ladies.”
“I am not looking for a lady this Season.”
His grandmother turned to him, smiling. “Oh yes, you are. I have already spoken to ten of the most eligible ladies of theton.You will go on at least one date with each of them until you find one to marry.”
Evan groaned. “Grandmother, I do not have time?—”
“You will make time,” she said firmly. “You will not be getting out of this, no matter how much you wish otherwise. We do not know how much time I have left, but I would like to hold my great-grandchild in my arms before I die.”
“You are in good health, Grandmother,” Evan said. “I am sure you will be pestering me for years to come. I see no point in rushing into an unhappy marriage. Perhaps I will find the time next Season to go on dates with every woman of theton.” He gave the dowager duchess a placating smile, but the elderly lady was not having it.
“You tell me the same thing every year. But I shall no longer accept that excuse. You will take me seriously this year.” She smiled pleasantly and triumphantly. “Your first date will be with Miss Penelope Atwood. She is the daughter of the Earl of Northwick, and I have it on good authority that she is a lovely young lady. Peter already invited her for tea.”
Evan glowered at Peter, who shrugged, as if to say, ‘what was I supposed to do?’
Despite his own family conspiring behind his back, Evan could not bring himself to be angry, especially when he knew deep down that this was their way of showing their love. He gave his grandmother an amused smile. “Need I remind you who makes the decisions in this house?”
She beamed, knowing she had won this round. “Of course, Your Grace. How could I forget that my own grandson is the duke? I am merely making… suggestions. Very pointed, strong suggestions.”
Peter laughed. “That is one way to describe them, yes.”
The older lady turned an amused look on him. “Oh, hush, you. Or I will find some young ladies for you to court as well.”
Peter’s mouth snapped shut. Evan could not help but smile at that. “I will go on dates, as youstronglysuggest, Grandmother. But I cannot promise anything more than that.”
She smiled and leaned over to pat his arm in reassurance. “Right now, that is all I ask for. I am sure, if you put your mind to it, you will have a good time.”
He grunted. “I highly doubt that.”
The dowager duchess smiled before turning and leaving the room. The moment she was gone, Peter turned to Evan. “It’s only a few dates,” he said. “Why are you so opposed to the idea? It cannot be any more tedious than your other social obligations.”
“It is a waste of time,” Evan said. “I have no need for a wife or a child.”
“Yes, perish the thought that you do something purely to make our grandmother happy.”
Evan glared at him. “You know I want to make Grandmother happy. But this is not a small matter. I have no intention of marrying someone merely to please her.”
Peter leveled him with a look. “I don’t think you have any intention of marrying at all, but you don’t want to admit it out loud because you know it will break her heart.”
The duke didn’t reply because he knew his brother was right. “You know, you could always provide her with great-grandchildren. Perhaps you should announce your intentions of looking for a bride.”
Peter laughed. “I haven’t sworn off marriage, but I do not intend to marry yet. Besides, if I marry, what will become of you when Grandmother dies? You will be the grumpy uncle who scares the children.”
“I will be the uncle buying them the best education they could ever hope for.”
“Ah, yes. So heartwarming,” he said dryly. “I cannot wait to see what they will say at your funeral. Here lies Uncle Evan, the Duke of Blackwell. He scowled constantly and bought us homework for Christmas.”
