“No, I was not. I also did not know that she met a duke there.”
“I will not hide anything from you. I know of your family’s circumstances, and I wish to help. I plan to court one of your daughters and take care of you all financially this year. It will be beneficial for all, and nobody need know what is taking place.”
Her mother scowled at her, her eyebrows almost touching. She knew that she would be in trouble for sharing something so private with a stranger, but it was for the greater good. It would be worth it in the end, even if it was rather shameful.
“I see, Your Grace. And which of my daughters is it that you wish to court? Emily would be my preference of course, with her being the older of the two, but my other is–”
“I thought you had three daughters?” he asked, looking at Margaret.
Margaret, meanwhile, sank into her seat and wished that she could disappear. Her mother had not even considered that she could be chosen by the Duke. In her eyes, she only had two daughters that could be courted, having already decided that Margaret was to leave.
“I do,” her mother nodded, “but Margaret is–”
“The closest to me in age, and also the reason that such an arrangement can take place to begin with. Pardon my dismissal, but I am not the sort of gentleman to want a debutante. I do not have much in common with them, and if I am to want a companion, I would rather she was older.”
Her mother was astounded, as if she could not fathom that her pride and her joy could be cast aside so easily. Emily was her pride, Poppy was her joy, and that was all she saw. Margaret was more of an aid than anything else, and she had never understood why.
And yet, with very few words, it no longer mattered. The Duke was not to be dissuaded; he wanted her, even if it was merely for a fake courtship.
“Very well,” she agreed. “I will allow you to court… Margaret. However, I would like you to be seen with them too. I must think of their prospects, and you will understand that.”
“Of course, Lady Fairleigh. I look forward to meeting them. Are they here now?”
“They are out in Hyde Park with their lady’s maid. Had I known you were coming, I would have made arrangements for them to stay.”
An accusing eye came from her, and Margaret ignored it. They would settle the matter once he had left, so as not to frighten him away altogether. It would not bode well for anyone if that happened.
“That is quite alright,” he replied coolly. “I shall arrange for you all to join me for dinner three days from now. Will that be alright?”
“It is the Smythe ball that evening,” Margaret reminded him.
Her mother tried to hush her, for the dinner was far more important, but once again the Duke nodded in agreement. Margaret knew that her mother would be infuriated by that point, but she would never say a word against him so all would be well.
While in his presence, at least.
“Then how about tomorrow?” he suggested. “It is quite short notice, but I would like to know all of you before we are flaunted in front of theton. I would also like to know your sisters so that I can assist in finding the right matches for them. If it pleases you, that is, Lady Fairleigh.”
The older lady’s eyes sparkled at that. This was what she had wanted for years; a strong and masculine presence that would make sensible arrangements so that she did not have to. If Margaret did it, it would be an insult to her motherhood, but a gentleman? That changed everything.
“That can certainly be arranged. My daughters will not believe me when I tell them what has happened!”
“Yes, well, you have Lady Margaret to thank for that. I must say, she is a lovely lady.”
“Yes, yes, of course.”
“A lady that I would like to promenade with, if it is not too much trouble.”
“I– Your Grace, as much as I would like that, I would prefer for my daughters to hear of this news before the rest of Grosvenor Square. I do not mean to be difficult.”
“Not at all, I understand. In that case, might I discuss something with her privately?”
“Certainly. I shall send for a maid.”
She scurried away, and almost immediately a maid appeared and stood in the corner of the room. Margaret looked at the Duke and wondered what to make of him. He was a good man, that much was clear, but she did not understand what he wanted from her. She was not the sort of lady that a duke took any interest in, nor was she from a family that any man would willingly want to be a part of, even if it was for show and nothing more.
“Your mother is quite the character.”
“Please forgive her. I do not know why she did that.”
