Reggie grinned. “What I’m going to suggest is that they find me a husband.”
Meg shook her head and sighed. “You won’t like the man they choose for you, my girl.”
“Perhaps. But I simply don’t care anymore,” she insisted. “It would be nice to be able to pick my own husband, but I learned quickly enough that my choice doesn’t matter if he’s a bad choice according to them. I have been on display now for a full year, going to so many parties and routs and balls that I hate them already. I never thought I’d say that. Why, I couldn’t wait to dance at my first ball.”
“It’s understandable, dear,” Meg soothed.
“As long as Uncle Tony understands, and is willing to help, that’s all I ask. I want nothing more than to retire to the country, to live quietly again—with or without a husband. If I could find the right man this evening, I would marry him tomorrow,anythingto quit the social whirl. But I know that’s not going to happen, so the next best thing is to let my uncles find him. Knowing them, that will take years. They can never agree on anything, you know. And in the meantime, I’ll go home to Haverston.”
“I don’t see what your Uncle Tony can do that you can’t do for yourself. You’re not afraid of the Marquis. You can wrap that man around your little finger anytime you’ve a mind to. Haven’t you done so often enough? Just tell him how unhappy you are and he’ll—”
“I can’t do that!” Reggie gasped. “I could never let Uncle Jason think he’s made me unhappy. He would never forgive himself!”
“You’re too kindhearted for your own good, my girl,” Meg grumbled. “So you’ll just go on bein’ miserable, then?”
“No. See, that’s why I want Uncle Tony to write Uncle Jason first. If I did, and he still insisted I stay here, where would that leave me? But if Tony’s letter is scoffed at, then I’ll know that plan won’t work and I’ll still have a chance to think of something else.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll see Lord Anthony at the ball tonight.”
“No. He detests balls. He wouldn’t be caught dead attending one, even for me. Oh, bother! I suppose it will just have to wait until morning.” Meg frowned then, and looked away. “What’s this? What do you know that I don’t?” Reggie demanded.
Meg shrugged. “It’s…only that Lord Anthony’s likely to be gone by mornin’ and not back for three or four days. You can wait that long, though.”
“Who said he was leaving?”
“I overheard Lord Edward telling his wife that the Marquis has sent for him. He’s to be called on the carpet again for some trouble he’s gotten himself into.”
“No!” Then forlornly, “You don’t think he’s left already, do you?”
“No, indeed.” Meg grinned. “That scamp won’t be anxious to face his older brother. He’ll put off leavin’ as long as he can, I’m sure.”
“Then Imustsee him tonight. This is perfect. He can convince Uncle Jason in person better than by letter.”
“But you can’t go to Lord Anthony’s house now,” Meg protested. “It’s nearly time to leave for the ball.”
“Then get me into my gown quickly. Tony is only a few blocks away. I can take the coach and be back before my cousins are ready to leave.”
The others were in fact ready to leave then and were waiting for her when Reggie rushed down the stairs a few minutes later. This was unsettling, but not daunting. She pulled her oldest cousin aside as she entered the drawing room, giving the others a fleeting smile of greeting.
“Marshall, I really and truly hate to ask this of you, but I simply must borrow the coach for a few minutes before we all leave.”
“What?”
She had been whispering, but his loud exclamation turned every eye their way. She sighed. “Honestly, Marshall, you needn’t act as if I’ve asked for the world.”
Marshall, aware at once that they were being watched, and appalled by his momentary lack of control, gathered all his dignity about him and said in the most reasonable tone he could muster, “We have been waiting for you for ten minutes already, and now you propose to make us wait even longer?”
Three more gasps of outrage came flying at her, but Reggie didn’t spare a glance for her other cousins. “I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t important, Marshall. It won’t take me more than a half hour…well, certainly no more than an hour. I need to see Uncle Anthony.”
“No, no, no!” This from Diana, who hardly ever raised her voice. “How can you be so thoughtless, Reggie? That’s not like you at all. You’ll make us late! We should be leaving right now.”
“Stuff,” Reggie replied. “You don’t want to be the first ones there, do you?”
“We don’t want to be the last to arrive either,” Clare joined in peevishly. “The ball will commence in a half hour and it will take us that long to get there. What is so important that you must see Uncle Anthony now?”
“It’s personal. And it can’t wait. He’s leaving for Haverston first thing in the morning. I won’t be able to talk to him unless I go right now.”
“Until he gets back,” Clare said. “Why can’t it wait until then?”
