Rath took a drink of his ale before adding, “I remember someone saying her uncle was so furious, they thought the old man’s heart might fail him right there in the church. It’s no wonder he agreed she could enter a convent.”
She wasn’t in one, but she might as well be for all the social life she had at Mammoth House, Hawk thought as he stayed quiet and listened to his friends discuss what they remembered concerning Miss Quick. He wanted to know what they’d heard. It appeared the rumors varied only a little from what Miss Quick had told him, but obviously Society had a different view of her than Hawk had. The lady he’d met was outspoken but not rude. Strong, but not hard. She was soft but not weak. And much to his chagrin, it looked as if Hawk was going to have to set his friends straight concerning where she lived.
“Take my word for it she’s not in a convent, nor does she look or talk anything like the nuns I’ve seen. She lives at Mammoth House with her brother—whenever he is there.Which obviously isn’t often. She’s beautiful, forthright, and compassionate.”
Rath let his chair down slowly and picked up his drink again. Griffin’s brows rose just enough to let Hawk know he’d said all he needed to say to interest them in hearing more.
“You’re right,” Rath offered. “She is beautiful. I remember meeting her once at a ball.”
“Really?” Hawk asked.
“She was already betrothed to the viscount at that time so, naturally, I didn’t say much to her. I remember thinking later, when the rumor about her was the talk of the clubs, that it was a shame such a beautiful young lady was going into a convent.”
“We know about her past, so tell us something about her now that we don’t know,” Griffin prodded.
Hawk hadn’t intended to mention Miss Quick. He knew his friends well enough to know they’d ask more questions than he wanted to answer.
And he was right.
Hawk looked from one friend to the other. They would not be satisfied until he gave them what they wanted. Choosing his words carefully, he said, “Miss Quick intends to try her best to keep her brother from accepting my offer of a match with Adele.”
Rath grabbed the lapels of his dark-blue coat and straightened it on his shoulders as he sat up a little taller in the chair. “So she’s not just against marriage for herself, she’s against it for her brother, too, and probably everyone else would be my guess. And you say she’s not in a convent?”
“And she doesn’t believe in marriage,” Griffin added as he looked from Hawk to Rath. “Hmm. I believe I hear a challenge in that statement. What do you hear?”
“A challenge,” Rath said with a grin. “Even if a lady says she isn’t interested in marriage, you can bet she is. Unless she is a nun.”
Hawk chuckled under his breath. “Have as much enjoyment at my expense as you wish, my fellow rakes. I won’t fall into the trap you are setting.” Hawk waited for a couple of gentlemen to walk past them and then added, “It’s clear she is againstarrangedmarriages. And the reason is because hers didn’t turn out well. We all know, they aren’t common anymore—not in the strictest sense. I’ll know more once I actually talk to Quick. How he handles himself concerning this will have a lot to do with how I proceed from here. Now,” Hawk said, eager to change the subject from Miss Quick. “Has there been talk recently about anyone wanting to get even with us for the letters we wrote?”
“The indomitable Miss Honora Truth had another mention of it in her column just today,” Griffin complained. “Apparently she’s not finished with the story yet. She mentioned that Vera was returning for her second Season and then hinted that both Vera and Lady Adele could be at risk from unscrupulous men wanting to break their hearts, ruin their reputations, or just cause us grief by making us worry about the possibility of it.”
“Damnation,” Hawk grumbled. “I wish we could find out who she is. Perhaps I should give it another try and stop her drivel.”
“It would do no good,” Griffin offered dryly. “I don’t think the King and the Prince are as well guarded as that person’s identity.”
“It’s my thought,” Rath said, “that whoever knows who she is will take it to their grave. I’ve heard her scandal sheet sells more than all the others combined.”
Hawk grunted. “I just hope that whoever it is, they don’tget wind of the fact I’m trying to make a match for Adele before the Season starts.”
“You know they won’t hear anything about it from us,” Griffin said, “but do you know if Miss Quick or her brother will say anything?”
“I can’t be sure, but she agreed not to mention our conversation to anyone but her brother.” Not wanting to give them time to turn the conversation back to Miss Quick, Hawk faced Griffin and asked, “Have you considered asking Lady Vera if she’d like your help in finding a husband? It would take her off the marriage mart and thwart any possibility of mischief-makers eying her.”
Griffin grunted and then laughed. “If only I could. She is not as docile as Lady Adele. Vera is so contrary she would never agree to any help from me. No, I will have to leave all matchmaking to her. I’m just happy Sara is married and that half of my responsibility concerning them is now finished.”
“If only Adele were more contrary,” Hawk mumbled with a sighing breath. “She was spoiled to the point of madness by our parents and has been pampered far too long by me, our cousin, and the servants. She wants me to handle everything for her. I swear she’d let me decide which dress she is to wear each day if I’d do it for her. She has no desire to make any decisions or to think for herself. All she wants is for someone to take care of her every need and want. So I find myself trying to find her a husband who will do that without taking advantage of her gentle nature and wealth as well.”
“I am glad I don’t have sister woes,” Rath said and then wiped the corner of his mouth with his thumb. “But both of you know I’ll do everything I can to help see that Lady Vera and Lady Adele come to no harm from anyone seeking revenge against us. Short of marrying either ofthem, you understand. Not that they aren’t both beautiful, desirable, and all the rest, but they are deserving of someone far better than I am.”
“I don’t think either of us would wish our sisters on you or you on them,” Hawk said with a bit of a grumbling tone to his voice.
“I thought Lady Sara and Lady Vera handled the Season well last year,” Griffin commented. “The only problem was the incident with Lord Henry, and we know how that turned out.”
Rath snorted a short laugh. “I never heard any rumors about him getting struck with the sharp end of a lady’s parasol one day and her brother’s strong fist the next.”
Hawk and Griffin chuckled, too.
“I suppose he didn’t want that rumor making the rounds at the dinner parties, clubs and scandal sheets,” Rath continued, humor edging his voice. “He either left London or hid out at his town house until his face healed.”
