“The very same. It is lovely to make your acquaintance,” she said, folding her hands in her lap.
Maggie sighed with evident exasperation. “I cannot say the same. However, since we are forced upon one another’s company, I will say this: Whatever your intentions are with my cousin, I have no doubt you will be disappointed. A duke is a far cry more powerful than a baron. He will not be as generous as Sir Ronald was in the aftermath.”
“I, however—” Gabriel started to say and was promptly kicked by his sister. “Codswollop!”
“That is quite enough.” My words sounded bored, but really I was simply tired. Tired, and the night had only just begun.
Miss Wood shifted in her seat. “I have no intentions toward your cousin. Or any man for that matter. I am decidedly through with the lot of them.”
“Had your fill, hmm?” Maggie taunted.
“Margaret—” Gabriel started, and this time it washisvoice holding rebuke.
Miss Wood studied her with a look that could only be described as measuring. Sizing up her opponent like two foils in a fencing match. “Fill would not be the right word, no. Bored, perhaps.”
Maggie frowned, clearly annoyed. So Miss Wood turned her attention toward Gabriel. “Have you been in London long?”
The woman was a study in composure. Maggie was about to burst into flames, and Miss Wood could simply ... divert her attention.
Gabriel leaned against the corner and crossed his arms. “I come and go,” he said, as though it were no great thing. “Spend most of my time in the country on my estate.”
Hisestate? I raised a brow. My lips parted—
“I love the country,” Miss Wood said. “I grew up in Hampshire.”
“And how did you meet our cousin?” Gabriel seemed all too amused.
“He came to call.” She spoke as though I’dwantedto. “I supposed he’d read about my talents in the papers.”
I nearly choked on my spit. “By jove, woman—”
“A jest, Your Grace.” Miss Wood twirled a golden curl around her finger, a knowing smile on her lips. “We soon realized we have much in common and became fast friends.”
Maggie’s eyes were murderous, but she said nothing. Fast friends? This woman was more calculated than I’d thought. Spitting falsehoods like a professional at the gaming tables.
“Ah.” Gabriel laughed. “Shared heartbreak, was it?”
“Something like that,” I muttered. I wished I could tell him this was allhisfault. His mistake had brought her here. I was regretting it all, but I reminded myself a few outings with this woman had been, by far, the cheapest option to recover Grandmother’s ring. Doable, with a little patience.
I drew in long, even breaths through my nose.
The carriage was slowing just outside the Waymonts’ house. A line of waiting carriages were parked along the drive, Mother’s among them.
My fingers itched to loosen my cravat. As unbearable as this carriage ride had been, the last thing I wanted to do was parade past nosy women and their money-hungry husbands. How could they get a share of my fortune and estates? What recent investments had caught my eye?
How about they do the work for themselves and mind their own business?
I had business of my own tonight—the marriage kind.
I needed to hone down my possibilities and get the contract done and signed. More, I needed the girl waiting in front of clergy at the end of the fortnight. I’d already spoken to the archbishop; he, like so many others, owed me a favor.
But, first, to choose the woman.
The thought made my stomach tie itself into knots. I’d done this once before—met a woman, liked her well enough, and proposed marriage. But I’d made a few key mistakes. I hadn’t considered Miss Newbury’s wandering heart. I needed to make sure the heart of any prospective wife was in the right place—set upon the dukedom—before I wasted any of my time. But, how?
I helped Miss Wood down, and she waited to the side for me, quiet and watchful. Maggie actually scoffed as she took my hand and stepped down. Gabriel stalked ahead as he usually did when he was on the prowl.
The man was worse than Beau Brummel. He knew he was being watched and reveled in the attention.
