I chuckled.
“Zachariah won’t be part of the games, officially,” Flora elaborated, “but he’ll be welcome at all events. He’s practically one of us.”
“You can just say it aloud, Flora. Everyone’s thinking it. I would steal the show if I were part of the games, and there would be no competition whatsoever.”
“Mmm. As you say.”
Zachariah pantomimed heartbreak, clasping his chest, as Flora chuckled, shaking her head. After a moment, he stabbed a piece of liver with his fork. He watched me as he chewed. “I hate to be a beast, but that jacket looks horrid on you.”
“I don’t disagree with you on that point.”
Flora straightened. “Oh, yes. I was going to beg a favor, Zachariah dear. This unfortunate boy lost his wardrobe in an incident on the way in. I’m sure if anyone is resourceful enough to find adequate replacements in a hurry, it’s you.”
“Any excuse to go shopping,” Zachariah affirmed, appraising me once more. “And I can certainly find some ravishing outfits for those broad shoulders and delightful arms.”
“Don’t scandalize him now,” Flora ordered, although she smiled as she said it. “I have a feeling Lucian is a tad more modest than you.”
“Oh, I’m certain Lucian has seen his share.” Zachariah waggled his eyebrows at me. “Am I right? Good-looking bloke like you.”
I laughed. It was hard not to find Zachariah’s energy contagious. “Apparently, there’s no fooling you.”
After breakfast, I took a carriage into town with Zachariah, who entertained me with a steady stream of gossip about Hale’s Corner, the neighborhood where Hemlock Manor resided. I read between the lines of his colorful descriptions to ascertain that I would have dozens of rivals for the incoming duke’s regard. This wouldn’t be a simple task. Without my hypnotism powers, it would all rest on my innate charm—which was naturally substantial, but not foolproof.
I had to hope that he had good taste.
“Tell me about the duke’s children,” I said as we dismounted from the carriage and strolled into a tailor’s shop.
“Maxwell, Emmett, and Ambrose.” Zachariah unfolded a fan and waved it delicately at his chin. “You’d think the three boys would be exhausting, but they’re really quite different. I’m of course biased in favor of Maxwell, who’s the most lively of the bunch. You’ll like him. Ambrose is the future duke. Very stiff and serious. Always busy, that one. He’s who you’ll be fighting for along with everyone else during the competition. Frankly, I can’t blame you. He is a handsome one, the most eligible man in England, one might say.”
“I hope he finds a worthy match then. Even if it ends up not being me.”
Zachariah pursed his lips and looked me over. “Mmhmm.”
I winced as he turned to address the approaching tailor. Clearly Zachariah was more insightful than I’d given him credit for. He’d seen right through me. If I wasn’t careful, I might make an enemy of him, and that I could not afford, given how close he was to the duke’s family. I needed to work on ingratiating myself to him at any cost, unless I wanted this ruse to fall apart before it had hardly begun.
“What of Emmett?” I asked while the tailor began to take my measurements. Zachariah perused several fabrics around the shop with a keen eye—and, I noted with pleasure, exquisite taste.
Zachariah ran his hand over a deep blue velvet and nodded to the tailor following him, who made a note. “Emmett is a sensitive one. Hepaints,if you understand my meaning.”
I quirked an eyebrow. “Let me guess: Falling in love with a new boy or girl every week?”
“Give himsomecredit. His infatuations last at least a fortnight.” He sent me a wicked grin. “Good thing he’s completely homosexual, or half the ladies in Hale’s Corner would be expecting.”
The tailor coughed, and Zachariah laughed. “I’m teasing, you old codger. We all know how reputable and exemplary the duke’s family is.” He rolled his eyes to let me know that this was said for the tailor’s benefit. Sexuality wasn’t the problem, of course. But sex was still frowned upon until marriage, even if many nobles discreetly slept around and were hardly virgins by the time they wed. Women unfortunately had to be more restrained in their behavior, for a child out of wedlock meant instant ruin. It was why women were still required chaperones in the presence of an eligible man, while men could be alone in one another’s company, so long as they weren’tcaughtdoing anything imprudent.
I tried on various outfits for Zachariah, several hours flying by. One suit needed little adjustment and would be sent to me before the ball that evening, while the others would slowly make their way to me over the next fortnight. I was pleased with the outcome. Zachariah clearly knew what he was doing, and I was glad the duchess had sent him along in my company. Thankfully, the purse Helena had slipped me contained enough to cover the expenses.
“So, you weren’t courting anyone back home?” Zachariah asked on the carriage ride back to Hemlock Manor.
“I’m happily free to pursue whom I choose,” I said. “And you?”
He snorted. “If I could find someone with a modicum of taste, I would rush to the altar. Unfortunately, I believe I’ll have to wait until I’m in London for that.” At my questioning look, he smiled. “I’m going to apprentice with the incomparable Martha Banks in the fall. I’ll have my own flat in the city, if you can imagine. I’m sure to stumble across someone who meets my rigorous standards amid that tumult. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Completely. I do love London. There’s nothing quite like it in all the world.”
“Oh? You’ve traveled extensively then?”
“I’ve seen a lot in my time,” I replied vaguely. “I would enjoy a voyage to the New World at some point. I hear America is the future, and would love to watch it prosper.”
