“Excellent idea,” Lady Joanna eagerly agreed. “Perhaps they should wear the letter on their lapel until we come to know them.”
“Of all the ridiculous nonsense,” Lord B complained.
“What’s important is that Lady Lucinda knows who we are,” Lord G added.
Unfortunately, she did, and every time Lords B and G spoke, she wished they’d leave.
“I rather like the idea,” grandmother countered. “And so it shall be. Gentlemen, please ensure that your letter is attached to your lapel for the remainder of your visit.”
* * *
Caleb relaxedon the balustrade and grinned. This was going to be quite interesting.
He knewofthe gentlemen from his visits to London, but did not know them. And, while he couldn’t determine who might win Lady Lucinda in the end, Lord B had already lost when he patronized her. Had a gentleman taken such a tone with one of Caleb’s sisters, he might have earned an ear blistering while Lady Lucinda simply stiffened at his tone.
“Perhaps you should each share something about yourself and why you believe you are the best candidate for Lady Lucinda’s hand,” his Aunt Priscilla suggested.
“Lady Lucinda already knows us,” Lord E replied.
And another has been stricken from the list. At least that was Caleb’s opinion.
“Don’t be dismissive of me, young man.” Aunt Priscilla whacked her fan against the table.
It was all Caleb could do not to laugh aloud.
“If her father was intent on marrying her off to the wealthiest, titled and best connected, he would have done so already,” Aunt Joanna chastised. “You ten are here to win her heart. If you cannot make the effort, then it’s best you leave.”
All ten lords straightened as if disciplined.
“How goes it down there?”
Caleb turned to the whispered voice only to come face to face with His Grace, the Duke of Arscott.
“Why aren’t you down there instead of hovering up here?”
“I simply accompanied my great-aunts.” He nodded to the three ladies.
“Since when did they need anyone to accompany them anywhere?” he chuckled.
“That was my question as well, Your Grace, but they insisted.”
The duke shook his head. “Those three are always up to mischief and I’m never certain if they can be trusted.” There was nothing but affection in his tone.
“In that you are correct,” Caleb answered.
His Grace laughed quietly. “They probably intended on you being down there as well.”
“I fear you may be correct, but it is not my place.”
The duke studied him. “Why is that?”
“I am but a mister with nothing to offer.”
“Yes, well, I’m not certain those ten have anything to offer either, but they are who my mother chose.”
“Her Grace? Not you?” Caleb assumed the duke would want to choose his son-in-law.
“I just want Lucinda settled and happy.” With that he marched off down the corridor and disappeared behind a panel in the wall. Before it closed, Caleb caught a glimpse of a lantern-lit stairwell.
