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As a teenager, Bridget was already akin to a battleship, her entire focus narrowed on whatever target she was aiming at and with all the determination of the entire queen’s navy. Once she was ready to choose a husband, God help the men of the ton. By contrast, Charlotte was much quieter, much calmer, yet she could be quite unsettling, and not just because of her wraith-like appearance, though that was part of it.

Rose began recounting how Charlotte disrupted last week’s tea by popping up beside the Dowager Countess of Windsor and commenting that ‘Reginald misses you, but he wants you to be happy’. Reginald being the Dowager Countess’ late husband. As she was now being courted by a very wealthy but non-titled gentleman by the name of Mr. Samuel Silver and was unsure of whether or not to encourage him, Charlotte’s unprompted comment had sent the poor woman into vapors. Especially because, with Charlotte’s very pale skin and hair and her sudden appearance at the Dowager Countess’ side, she’d thought she was being advised by a literal ghost-child.

Reaching up to cover her mouth with her hands, Mei choked on her laughter.

“I swear,” she said when she got herself under control. “I do not know what is going to happen in five years when these younger siblings begin to enter into Society’s events. Did Kalina tell you that Fiona has adopted a rat?”

“No!” Rose gasped, putting her hand to her chest as her expression turned to one of horror.

“Oh, yes. And she named it after the prime minister.”

Now both of them were laughing, which Mei realized was drawing attention from those around them. Some appeared curious, others censorious. Sighing inwardly, Mei composed herself again.

Truthfully, she was also eager for a break to the country. Rose was correct; it would be nice to be around fewer people. It would not be the same as being alone in her home with her grandmother, of course, but at least the majority of the guests would be her friends. She would be able to relax with them, even if she did have to keep her matchmaker mask on when Bolton’s potential brides were about.

Hopefully, they would focus on him.

Because who cared about a matchmaker when there was a duke to snag?

Mei did her best to ignore the way her stomach flipped over at the idea of one of the debutantes ‘snagging’ him. That was exactly what they were supposed to do.

7

Sebastian

Rather than sleeping in, Sebastian was up bright and early the day of his sister’s house party, such was his eagerness to flee his own dwelling. Or perhaps he was that eager to meet his potential brides? That certainly sounded much better, but he had a feeling the former was closer to the truth. Being under the same roof as his mother was no longer a comforting feeling but one that made his skin itch.

Leaving his valet, O’Malley, to finish packing the last of his things, Sebastian made his way downstairs to break his fast. Considering the early hour, the last person he was expecting to run into in the hallway was his mother, but they nearly literally ran into one another as he rounded the corner to the stairs.

“Mother?” Sebastian stared down at her, somewhat aghast, as he took in her appearance. She looked as though she had been out all night. Indeed, she was wearing an evening gown rather than a day dress, not that he would have expected to see her in either at this hour—if he’d thought he might see her at all. “What are you doing awake so early?”

“Me? What about you?” She frowned up at him, a hot blush spreading across her cheeks. “Why are you skulking about?”

“I am hardly skulking. I awoke early and am going to break my fast.”

“I assume you will be leaving for this house party of yours this morning, then?” she asked, raising an arched brow at him.

“Yes. I was going to leave a note,” he said hastily, as she continued to look at him. “Though it is better that I saw you now so I can say goodbye in person.”

“Indeed.” The tart response was accompanied by her offering up her cheek for him to kiss, which he did so dutifully. “Enjoy yourself, I suppose. Though what appeal there is to being at a house party in the middle of the Season, I have no idea.”

“Farewell, mother, I will see you upon my return,” he replied, rather than trying to explain the appeal. His mother was just in a mood. After all, she’d attended house parties during past Seasons, so she knew the appeal, or at least she had in the past.

“Farewell, darling.” She yawned as she turned away, walking down the hall that he’d just come from, heading for the bedrooms. He could see that her hair was pulled back into a neat bun, though its simplicity did not match the dress she was wearing at all.

Sebastian stared after her as his brain began to put the pieces together.

Up in the wee hours of the morning.

Walking toward her bedroom.

Dressed in an evening gown, with her hair neatly done but in a simple style.

Bloody hell. His mother had a lover and must have spent the night with him. She was not up early at home; she had returned in the early morning, probably to avoid the prying eyes of the ton. Very possibly also to avoid Sebastian, though that had not worked out in her favor since he was up earlier than usual this morning.

Sebastian’s hunger evaporated as he shuddered. Things he truly wished he did not know. And yet another reason to get out of London.

Intellectually, he’d known that it was possible his mother could have a lover, but it was certainly not a thought he’d ever dwelled on. Neither had he ever witnessed any evidence of such. He wished that was still the case.