Having maneuvered his friend onto the subject he was anxious to pursue, he continued his inquiry. “Is it simply that these women have an education or is there something else? Is it that they are considered unusual simply for attending?”
Sommerset shook his head and opened his mouth but then closed it. Finally, he spoke. “This is only my own observation, and I do believe my wife would have far more knowledge on the matter, though I’m sure she is biased, but it appears that these women, all of whom have rather unique flaws, have brought closer scrutiny to themselvesbecausethey attend the school and so their uniqueness, shall we say, becomes far more of a problem in a potential wife.”
He was pleased that Sommerset had confirmed his own suspicions, yet not pleased that his own task for both his sister’s sake and Belinda’s good name seemed far more monumental than he had first thought. “I appreciate your candor. I will seek your wife’s counsel as well on this matter since if my sister does not receive a proposal by the end of this house party, my father has given permission for her to attend the school.”
“Then wouldn’t it behoove you to meet the many young men who are arriving and judge which would make your sister a good husband? Then the issue of the school would no longer matter.”
As tempting as that suggestion was, he knew his sister’s wishes. If that wasn’t enough motivation to not help suitors for his sister’s hand, Lady Dorothea’s future was now at stake, and he was quite determined to solve that problem. “If I were to meet those men now, that would be far too agreeable to my mother. No, I believe I will simply support my sister in whatever she wishes to do.”
“You are a better sibling than I.” Sommerset shook his head. “I am forever at odds with my younger brother.”
Sommerset’s younger brother, Christopher, was just that…younger. “Is it that mistress he had while at Oxford?”
“If only that were the problem. Despite my warnings and our father’s example, a mistress alone would be a blessing. I’m worried I’ll find him dead in a gutter one day.”
He clapped his friend on the shoulder that had slumped. “Do not worry. Remember our misspent youth in the brothels and gaming hells. We made it through alive, much to your wife’s satisfaction, I guess.”
Sommerset smirked. “True. But we were first born. He seems hellbent on laughing his way through life.”
Felton chuckled, unable to stifle it. “I had the same thought about you after we left Eaton for Oxford.”
“You did? I was not so rakish as that.”
He raised his brows and stared at his friend. “Weren’t you?”
“I most certainly was not. And before you say another word, I’m going to return to my wife before she grows irritable at my absence.” With that, Sommerset turned on his heel and strode back into the library, leaving the terrace doors open.
“Coward.” Despite his good humor, his mind returned to the dilemma of Lady Dorothea, or rather the school’s reputation. He’d spent the morning skimming through a few of his father’s books on the human mind. He’d hoped to find a malady like the one Lady Dorothea had, but nothing was remotely similar. Most of what he’d read was merely theory. It appeared it was up to him to discover how to help her stay within the confines of a normal conversation. Trial and error were not the most efficient way to experiment, but it was what he was left with, so based upon his reading, he’d formulated a plan.
Of course, first, he’d have to make it clear that there would be no more kisses between them. For him to remain in controlof his mother, he could not allow any more of such behavior, no matter how much he enjoyed it. He dared not give Lady Dorothea hope that there could ever be a relationship between them. Perhaps he should—
The sound of the library doors opening and closing reached him.
Now who was it? Quickly, he stepped out of sight. Not hearing a conversation, he concluded it had to be a single individual, most likely his father, skipping away for a quick drink and some quiet. Cautiously, he looked inside. At first, he didn’t see her, as her deep-blue dress matched the velvet of the wingback chairs exactly.
Lady Dorothea. Perfect. Striding in, he moved to the fireplace before which she sat.
“Oh.” She sprang up. “I didn’t know anyone was in here. I’ll go.” She turned away and headed for the doors.
“Wait. I wish to talk to you.”
She looked about. “I cannot. Your mother has been so nice to me today. I do not want to incur her wrath again.”
Devil it, she was correct. “Then I’ll have Haggett fetch Lady Sommerset. Perhaps you could wait on the terrace?”
Still uncertain, she hesitated.
“I promise you, I have no argument with you. My upset was strictly with my mother.”
Finally, she nodded and scurried across the room and outside.
Striding out of the library, he found the butler in the foyer. After telling him to fetch Lady Sommerset, for Lady Dorothea needed her assistance, he waited in the corridor.
As Lady Sommerset exited the parlor, and he could hear the sound of many feminine voices. After the door closed and she searched the immediate area, he stepped from the shadows. “Lady Sommerset, this way.”
The lady, dressed in a lilac day dress, shook her head. “I should have guessed you were involved. What have you done with Lady Dorothea now?”
He straightened to his full height and frowned. “I do not know what I’ve done to engender such a remark, especially when I have asked you to attend her. I wish to speak to her, but she needs her chaperone.”
