“I had heard that the family was going to remain away this Season as they had the last,” Shrewsbury observed.
“Lord Crispin’s wedding is probably what brought them all to Town,” Trent said. “I wonder if they will remain or will they be driven away? Their family abhors gossip more than any other and would rather remove themselves from Town than be the topic of any conversation.”
Angelo frowned. “Gossip?” He knew there was something in the past but could not recall. He hated gossip and chose not to listen whenever possible.
“They had another brother, Millard,” Shrewsbury said.
“Ah, yes, the one who tried to kill Donovan MacGregor because he wanted Lady Claresta Copeland for himself.” Angelo did hear that bit of gossip. It was impossible not to know because that was all anyone spoke of for weeks.
Is that why they had stayed away? Fear that the gossip would continue into the following Season. They should know well enough that old gossip quickly faded when more scintillating tales came to light.
“They took Millard to the country to be watched over instead of sending him to Bedlam. The fact that his brother is a duke kept him out of Newgate Prison,” Trent said. “He ended up getting away from the footmen who were to guard him, took a horse and while attempting to make a jump, fell and broke his neck. He died instantly.”
“That was a year and a half ago. There have certainly been other gossip-worthy events since. Several,” Shrewsbury said.
“That is not all,” Trent said. “Within a month of Millard’s funeral, the husbands of the two eldest sisters, the Earl of Kepple and Marquess of Teviot, were deep in their cups. One insult led to another, and before anyone realized what was happening, the two met on the field of honor and ended up shooting each other. The sisters became widows at the same time.”
Ah, so that was how she became a widow.
“The family avoided the Season last year because the eldest sisters were in mourning and the others didn’t wish to be the focus of gossip again,” Trent said.
There had been far worse scandals suffered by those in Society, and there was one potentially brewing if anyone learned that the eldest sister intended on taking a lover this Season, which explained why discretion was her very first rule.
Even if his mother wished for him to consider the two younger Tilson sisters, Angelo could not because he had every intention of bedding Lady Kepple.
However, before he proceeded, he should probably learn what her other nine rules were.
Chapter 2
“Last evening was not so terrible,” Octavia observed as she sipped her tea. “Shortly we will learn if our sisters were a success.”
Octavia had taken a seat near the empty fireplace and Lavinia sat in the matching chair. From here they could observe the various callers, if there were any. Aurora and Sabina, their younger sisters, were on the settee near the tea service. Across from them was Augustus, her youngest brother, to keep watch. Leopold was absent and intended to remain so. He would not be home to callers—ever. He had little patience for nosey mothers and their simpering daughters. Whereas Augustus had no fear of the same since Leopold, the duke, was who everyone wanted, not the brother who was third in line. Now that Crispin was wed, he’d likely father a son, which would push Augustus even further from the lofty title.
It was not long before misses arrived, eager to meet His Grace, and were forced to settle for Aurora, Sabina, and Augustus. There were also visits from eligible bachelors, who Octavia watched carefully. Were they interested in her sisters or more interested in being the brother-in-law to a duke? So often it was too difficult to tell until a courtship had progressed.
“What do you think of hiring an investigator if any show true interest?” she whispered to Lavinia.
“Leopold has already planned on doing so. He trusts no one.”
Octavia continued to sip her tea as callers remained for not above fifteen minutes, though sometimes it was difficult to tell when there were so many present at one time.
At least they would not be shunned, and Octavia anticipated the arrival of invitations for the entire family and not simply for His Grace.
However, watching the females giggle with her sisters and observing the bachelors fawning over them was not at all helpful to Octavia. The type of rake she sought would not call on a miss, nor would his reputation be mentioned in polite company. But, where else could she learn the names of any rakes who held promise. She had known them two years ago, but much could have changed, and those gentlemen may now be reformed.
Her focus turned to Augustus who remained polite and observant, as an older brother should. At the age of four and twenty, it was possible that he might know. If he didn’t, it would be easier for him to learn.
As the last of the guests took their leave, her sisters smiled and relaxed. Octavia was confident that the fear of the family scandals ruining their futures could now be put to rest.
Done with his duty, Augustus stood. “I am off to White’s.”
“Wait,” Octavia called. “A word please.”
All three sisters looked to her with curiosity.
“In private,” she clarified.
Her sisters frowned and studied her as if they wished to know what this was about. However, Octavia stared them down and they were soon gone. Octavia closed the door.
