“Let me see, who remains?” His Grace took a sip of the brandy as he thought. “Lord A, pompous ass. Lord B, the snobbish prig, Lord C, couldn’t dress himself, let alone care for a wife. Lord G, condescending pedant. Lord H is an unaware ninny. Who is left?” His Grace took another sip of his brandy.
“Lord I,” Her Grace offered.
“Ah, he is not a concern. He is doing his father’s bidding but has no wish to marry my daughter.”
Caleb blinked at him. How could he possibly know? That conversation had taken place only a short time ago and nobody else was about.
“I’m keeping him on to keep the others wondering.” He grinned and sipped again. “Mr. Copeland, you will no longer avoid the gatherings. You will attend meals, afternoon entertainments, and I would like you to join the gentlemen when they gather in the billiards room each evening.”
He’d rather not, but as His Grace was asking, Caleb had little choice. “May I ask why?”
“They will speak more freely in your presence than they will in front of me or my daughter.”
“Then the evenings should suffice.” That way he’d not be near Lady Lucinda and wish for what he could not have.
“They will be more comfortable if they count you among them, especially if they begin to believe you are part of the competition for her hand.”
“What would you have me learn, or do you just wish me to befriend them?”
“I wish for you to be my eyes and ears, and report to me any concerns you might have with regard to them being a proper husband for my daughter.”
“You wish for me to spy,” Caleb clarified, not at all comfortable with what His Grace was asking of him.
“I do.”
Eleven
Lucinda pausedat the threshold leading to the dining room. She was tardy and had asked her maid to tell the others to go in without her. In truth, she’d dallied over her toilette hoping that her headache would subside. The very headache that had been brought on from spending hours with the lords.
The way a few of them carried on, one had to wonder if they’d ever needed to exert themselves in the past, though several boasted of their time spent at Gentleman Jackson’s. If they could move about in the ring and give or take a beating, then they should also be able to walk nearly a mile without complaint.
She’d been tempted to cry off and ask for a tray in her room, but was grateful that she hadn’t when she noted Mr. Copeland seated with the others. This was certainly a delightful turn of events and she could only hope that he would finally agree to join them during the various entertainments scheduled over the remaining three days.
With a smile, she made her way to the empty chair that awaited her, which was always in the middle of the table, and each evening a different lord sat on either side and across from her. Caleb was near the foot of the table seated next to one of his great-aunts.
“How was the outing today?” her grandmother asked after the first course of the meal was placed before them.
The gentlemen went on about the delightful walk, lovely scenery and imagining how the church appeared when it was first constructed. The only one not to speak was Lord I, but she noted the humor in his eyes and the slight tilt of his lips. She knew as well as he that those who claimed to have enjoyed the outing the most were also the ones who had complained a good deal
Through dinner the discussions turned to racing, as it seemed to have done each evening, then the Season, and issues in parliament. These topics were discussed by the gentlemen at the table and she was often left out. Not that she had a complaint, but it reminded her that those who had been invited wanted her for her title, riches and connections and cared little for her.
“Lady Lucinda,” Mr. Copeland said when there was a lull in the conversation. “I noted that His Grace has a rather impressive library. I assume you’ve made use of it.”
“Yes, I have, Mr. Copeland,” she answered with a smile.
“Might there be a book you recommend. Perhaps one I might not have read in America.”
“I’d be delighted to do so, Mr. Copeland. Perhaps after supper.”
At her offer, there were objections from the other guests as the rules were clear that she’d not entertain any of the gentlemen outside of the time allotted.
Her grandmother gently tapped her wine glass. “As you recall, I stated that Lady Lucinda may wish to spend more time with you as a group or an individual in the evenings.” She glanced about the table. “It is clear she wishes to spend more time with Mr. Copeland.”
Lucinda bit back a grin.
“Yes, well, I’ve not perused the shelves myself,” Lord H suggested. “I’d be honored if you selected a title for me as well.”
Lucinda nearly groaned.
