Stanton raised one arm, bracing it against the frame of the window as Miss Alden stopped dancing and looked at them. He raised his hand in a slight wave and laughed at Felix’s sigh.
Miss Alden smiled and wiggled her fingers at the pair of them before crouching down to pet the puppy. She smiled and scooped it into her arms though the creature would soon be too big to lift. With a wide grin, she waved one of the dog’s paws at the two men.
Before Felix knew what he was doing, he nodded back to them.
Stanton burst out laughing. “You are certain you are not smitten with the woman?”
“I am not. I am simply being a good host and showing her the same kindness and hospitality to anyone who is a guest at my estate.”
“If I were to go lift my horse’s foot at this very moment and wave to you with it, would you wave back to me or would you give me a sullen scowl and deem me mad?” Stanton crossed his arms and tapped his foot. “Come now, Windham. I am desperate to hear your answer.”
“You are a horrid friend.” Felix turned from the window and strode to the other side of the room. “I must find a way to get this woman married and I cannot simply shove suitors in front of her. It will not work.”
“Perhaps you should stop forcing her to create a relationship with a gentleman. If Miss Alden has no need for marriage, then convince her that she has a need for companionship and let it blossom from there.”
Felix turned the idea over in his mind.
Miss Alden wouldn’t be swayed by men standing in front of her and proclaiming their love despite not knowing her. She didn’t care to listen to their admirations or the pretty compliments they could give her. She did not possess an ounce of care for their fortunes or their standing in society.
Convincing her to become friends with a gentleman before allowing her thoughts to naturally turn to marriage might be the only way I will see her married.
And with that, a plan was born.
It would be a foolish plan if it didn’t work, but there was a season to see Miss Alden married. He would find her a suitable husband for her if it was the last thing he did.
Felix looked at Stanton with a smile. “I need a messenger. The Viscount of Tewers may be just the person I need to help me resolve this matter.”
“You truly think Milton will be willing to help? The man has no interest in taking a wife.”
“And yet, this might be the season when everything changes.”
Nine
Isabelle leaned across Victoria, looking out the window as they left the main road and traveled along a winding one, the rain lashing down against the glass.
The heavy drops thundered against the top of the carriage, and she was certain the poor driver was soaked. She squinted to see through the drops that fell. On top of the hill was a stone house that looked like it belonged in the south of France, although Isabelle didn’t know for certain. She had only seen paintings of France, but she longed to go there.
Perhaps I can travel across Europe instead of returning to America without a husband.
Though she wished that was a possibility, she doubted that her father would allow it. He was far more likely to want her home where he could watch her turn into an old spinster. It was only because he cared for her that he wanted to keep her close, but she longed for adventure of some kind. Even if that was to spendthe rest of her life in England on a farm, married to the man who offered the Duke of Windham the most money.
Victoria leaned over beside her. “We shall be there soon. Lord Milton has always been a most welcoming host, and he is sure to take a liking to you.”
Isabelle wrinkled her nose. “I wish that he would not. I am not searching for a husband and there is no need to think that this will be an arrangement for me to find one.”
Windham nodded, leaning against the cushion across the carriage from them. “Milton will not be searching for a wife from you, Miss Alden, or any of my sisters. He has made it quite well known that he would rather spend his life as a bachelor than a married man.”
Victoria sighed and slumped against her seat. “Still, we can hope that he will see Isabelle and fall for her quick mind. She is quite skilled at arguing, as is he. I rather think theywouldtake a liking to each other.”
“It will not happen. Milton will be perfectly friendly, but he will not seek anything beyond friendship.”
Isabelle let out a sigh of relief as she got comfortable in her seat once more. “Good.”
Windham arched an eyebrow, his arms crossed over his chest. “You will have no need to scare him away, Miss Alden. He is nothing like Lord Townshend.”
“You have said that Lord Milton has no use for marriage so I suspect the two of us will have little problem enjoying each other’s company.”
The carriage pulled to a stop and the door swung open to the pouring rain. Windham was the first to leave the carriage, stepping down before turning back and holding out a hand to help Victoria. She took it with a light squeal as the rain pelted her back before she gathered her skirts and dashed toward the archway.
