“I have no doubt you know each actresspersonally.”
This time Seb opened both of his eyes. “And what’s wrong with that?” He frowned slightly. “It’s not as if you haven’t sampled the delights to be had from time to time.”
Indeed, Grey himself had certainly enjoyed his share of sexual exploits for most of his three and thirty years, but he was starting to find it all rather… unsatisfying. His expression turned somber. “Perhaps it’s time I settled down.”
His announcement surprised him as much as it had Sebastian Ford, Viscount Blakely. Grey had first met Seb in Eton and since then, they had been good friends. There was no one he would trust more with his life, although when Grey’s sister had made her come out ten years before, he’d made sure Seb was nowhere around her. Females were a completely different story, for he knew too much of the viscount’s history. In truth, it rather mirrored his own. But while Grey was actually finding it time to think of doing his duty to his familial line, Seb could care less.
“Are you mad?” Blakely stared at him as if he might jump over the box and leap to his death at any moment. “Surely you can’t be serious about setting up a nursery. Haven’t you enough nieces and nephews to keep you occupied?”
It was true that Grey’s sister had made their mother rather proud by giving birth to her ninth child just a fortnight ago. In truth, ever since she’d said her vows and married Eli Seaton, Viscount Montrose, her belly had been swollen each time he’d paid a call, but it was the brilliant smile on her still youthful face that he hadn’t quite been able to forget.
Grey looked back across the expanse to where the brunette in the red dress was sitting with her sisters and murmured, “Things change, Seb.” He tore his eyes away and returned them to Blakely. “And what would make my mother more thrilled than a Christmas proposal?”
Sebastian blinked in horror. “That’s only three weeks away! My God, youhavelost your senses. I believe an intervention is in order. Perhaps I should summon a physician—”
“Oh, stuff it,” Grey snapped, although the smirk belied the annoyance he wished to convey. “The only thing I need is anintroductionto the lady in red.”
Sebastian finally appeared interested enough to sit forward and take a pair of opera glasses to inspect the box situated across from them. After a moment he said, “I suppose she’s a comely enough chit, but for the rest of your days?” He shuddered. “Heaven help me if I’m saddled with only one woman day in and day out. The constant nagging would be enough to send me to an early grave.” He lowered the glasses. “If you are serious about this quest then I would suggest having your tailor expand the waist bands on your trousers.”
Grey chose to hold his tongue as Seb put the glasses back up to his eyes. “Oh, now that’s interesting.”
“What is?” Grey asked dryly, almost dreading to hear the answer.
He expected Sebastian to note how when the lady in red smiled it was a bit “toothy,” or some such nonsense, but instead, he murmured, “I didn’t know Marlington sired ared-hairedgel.” He lowered the glasses a second time and flashed him a wicked grin. “Indeed. You are quite right about those introductions.”
Grey snorted, although he knew that flame haired ladies were one of Seb’s few weaknesses when it came to the fairer sex. He seldom resisted the urge to bed a woman who sported those copper locks. “I would prefer to make a good impression, so if we get the opportunity to meet them, perhaps you might curtail your urges for a time.”
“What a killjoy you’re turning out to be, and rather surly in your dotage,” Seb returned sourly. But he heaved a sigh. “Fine. I’ll give you to Christmas before I engage her services.”
Grey shook his head, but he agreed. “I appreciate that, Blakely. Now the question is, who do we know who can assist us in making their acquaintance?”
Seb seemed to ponder this for a moment, and then said, “I may be able to help with that.”
“Those gentleman are rather unnerving.”Araminta glanced at Isadora, who was scanning the box across from them with a critical eye. “They keep staring at us.”
“Who wouldn’t?” Araminta said with a smirk. “Honestly, Isa, put those things down and watch the play. We will deal with the mob at intermission.”
Isadora reluctantly set the glasses aside. “I merely feel it is my responsibility, as the eldest sister, to watch out for the rest of you.”
Araminta took her hand. “Isa, the whole purpose of this endeavor in London is to be independent. That doesn’t mean you have to assume the role of chaperone. We vowed to make our own decisions, no matter the consequences. Father always told us that the only way we shall learn is to forgive our mistakes. How shall we do that if you choose to flutter about like a mother hen?”
Isadora frowned, but she seemed to be contemplating her words.
“Besides,” Araminta added with a shrug. “What’s the harm in a bit of flirtation?
We are intending to join society, are we not? We shall have to learn how to survive the dangerous waters of theton. You won’t be there to protect us all of the time.”
“I see no reason to unnecessarily tempt fate either,” Isa pointed out. “We didn’t come here to be ridiculed and shunned by our peers. We wanted to prove that we could survive without marriage.”
“And we shall,” Araminta agreed firmly. She lowered her voice as her eyes shifted to their younger sisters sitting behind them. “Although I worry so about Livy. She has never been quite as outspoken as the rest of us. I fear for her future if something should happen to us. I think we should encourage a proper match for her.”
Isa nodded. “I think you’re right. But what about Calliope?”
Araminta rolled her eyes. “That girl has more spirit than you and I combined. The only thing I should be concerned with her is the trail of broken hearts she will leave across London.”
Her elder sister laughed, knowing that it was true. Callie was like a kite flowing away on the breeze, completely without restraint. If any gentleman managed to tie her down, it would be nothing short of a miracle.
As intermission came upon them, it didn’t take long before their box was filled with curious spectators of society, matrons eager to meet the secretive Marlington sisters who had spent very little time in the city. Under the guise of paying their respects to a man they had barely even known, Araminta found that it didn’t take much for them to start peppering them with questions. When it became clear that they were living under one roof without a chaperone, several eyebrows lifted to their hairline in surprise and more than a touch of censure.
