“Miss Leeming is sure to take,” Nicholas said. “She is a beautiful girl with a good deal of charm.”
Dominic emitted a low whistle. “Fetching, is she?”
Nicholas scowled at him. “Please raise your mind a little higher than where it ordinarily dwells.”
“He meant no harm, Nicholas,” Charles said mildly. “Dominic gives debutantes a wide berth.”
“I know. Forgive me, Dom.” Nicholas grew annoyed with himself. What was wrong with him of late? Had he lost that joy of life Dominic had in spades?
“It’s those match-minded mothers! Terrifying!” With a laugh, Dominic gave full rein to his horse, who had been champing at the bit. He rode down the Row, joined a group of ladies riding together, and soon had them giggling. He continued on, leaving them to gaze longingly after him.
“Don’t mind him. He’s full of high jinks today,” Charles said. “He leaves a host of broken hearts among thetonladies by the end of each Season. But his appeal is such that they always forgive him.”
Nicholas agreed. “Has a good heart, Dom. Did you hear he gave Mrs. Gould three hundred pounds after her husband died and left her and her children in Dun territory? Found her somewhere to live, too.”
“She was his lover before she married Gould.”
“But a handsome gesture, nevertheless,” Nicholas said.
“Agreed. Few men would have bothered.”
They followed in a more sedate fashion so as not to cause the ire of a group of men of the cloth strolling along the path. One did not gallop in the Row. Unless one was Dominic—he could get away with almost anything. “He’ll meet his match one day,” Nicholas said hopefully.
“They all fawn on him, from widows to dowagers. But as he says, hegives a wide berth to the young women whose mothers have marriage on their minds because they consider him a catch. I agree, a woman will get through his defenses one day, and when that happens, I suspect he will fall hard. And you will, too, I might add.”
“I believe it would give you a great deal of pleasure.”
Charles chuckled. “Couldn’t happen to a nicer couple of fellows.”
Nicholas steadied his mount, which had become distracted by a wasp. “While we have a minute before that rambunctious fellow returns, I am hopeful you might advise me about Miss Leeming.”
“What about her?”
“I must find Caroline, Miss Leeming, a decent suitor, but the sticking point is she doesn’t seem to want one.”
Charles turned to him in surprise. “Miss Leeming doesn’t wish to marry?”
“She has been caring for her brother and sister since their father died. Her mother died some years before him. She does not wish to relinquish control of them to a husband.”
“Mm. So you’re looking for the right fellow? One to tempt her into marriage?”
“Yes.”
“You should have asked Nellie last evening. Women understand these things. Although we can judge if a fellow is honorable and if he is plump in the pocket, in matters of the heart, we are fairly clueless.”
“Well, I would have raised it with Nellie, but she ruthlessly focused on my single state.” He shrugged. “It was all I could do to distract her.”
Charles burst out laughing. “Well, she’ll never believe you wish to remain single in perpetuity. You managed rather well when you inquired about the children. Never fear, I shall ask her to find a suitor for Miss Leeming. She can confer with your sister at the Fitzgibbon ball.”
Nicholas nodded. “Perfect.” It lifted a weight from his shoulders, but he didn’t feel as relieved as he’d expected. He would not want the matter taken out of his hands.
An hour later, Nicholas left the horse with his groom and entered his sister’s townhouse. He found her and Carrie at breakfast but remained at the door, aware he smelled of horse.
Gwen put down the pear she was peeling. “Good morning. Have you had breakfast?” Beside her, Carrie smiled a welcome.
Pink suited redheads. Carrie should wear the color more often. “Good morning. I’m reluctant to join you in riding clothes.”
“Nonsense. You know we were practically brought up on horseback.” Gwen waved him to a chair. “Bring his lordship coffee, Gilbert.” Gwen chatted of her plans as the footman hurried to obey. “We are about to go to the modiste. A fitting for Carrie’s ballgown. The design is of the first stare.”
