When a Marquis Chooses a Bride (34 page)

“I think they must go.” Charlotte said. Sitting at the desk, she tapped the feather end of the quill against her cheek. “Renovations must be started in the schoolroom there if we are all going to reside at your family's estate after the Season.”

Louisa and her sister were almost half-way through their first Season. This new development certainly complicated things.

Chewing her bottom lip she began to mentally adjust her plans to account for the new development. “Hmm, I suppose we should write notes excusing ourselves from the entertainments we had planned to attend.” She glanced at the writing table. “What a bother. Why did the children have to choose now to fall ill?”

Charlotte let out a peal of laughter, lightening the mood. “That is almost exactly what Matt said.”

Louisa grinned. “What did Grace say?”

“She told him, he should ask and see what the children said. Grace is making arrangements for our chaperonage in the event he still wishes to make the trip.” Charlotte heaved a sigh. “The poor things. I remember having the measles. The worst part was when I began to feel well again and was still not allowed to leave the sick room. I wish Charlie was here to help entertain them. I shall, of course, help with nursing.”

“As shall I.” Louisa picked up her pocketbook from the desk. “We should make a schedule that will allow us to attend our entertainments and help care for the children.”

She ducked as Charlotte threw a small embroidered pillow at her. “You and your schedules.”

“How else do you plan to accomplish our marriages? By the by, how is it going with Harrington?”

Charlotte's lips formed a moue. “Not as I wish it to. He appears to think he has jumped all his hurdles. Consequently, he has gone off to his estates for a week.” She raised a brow. “I can only imagine he thinks me a sure thing.”

“That won't do at all.” Louisa frowned. Charlotte deserved to be treated better. “If he ignores you now, imagine what he would be like as a husband.”

“My thoughts exactly.” Charlotte agreed. “I do like him, yet I shall not be taken for granted. I think I must strike him as a potential husband.”

“I cannot say that I blame you.” Louisa wandered to the table next to one of the sofas and placed her hand on the cold teapot. “Will you ring for another pot while I change?” Charlotte nodded absently. “I have finally decided what to do about Bentley”—Louisa gave her friend a wicked grin—“You must help me find a match for him.”

Edmond, Marquis of Bentley heir to the Duke of Covington had been one of the first gentlemen Louisa had met this Season, and despite the hints she had dropped, her most persistent suitor. Nothing she had done thus far had convinced him that they were not suited.

Her sister went off into whoops. Several moments later she pulled out her handkerchief and wiped her eyes. “That is the best idea you have had yet. If he transfers his affections to another lady, you will have managed to rid yourself of him without hurting his feelings.”

“Indeed. The only problem is who. She must be intelligent enough to be a duchess, managing enough to ensure Bentley performs his duties, and possess a great deal of patience in order to deal with his dithering.” Louisa could not help but to grimace. “Something I do not have in abundance.”

“More patience than you?” Charlotte's tone was serious, but the corners of her lips twitched. “That does sound like an almost impossible combination. She would have to be a perfect paragon.”

Ignoring her sister's facetious comment, Louisa said, “If we are still attending the ball this evening, we can begin searching for her.” She paused for a moment, her fingers on the door latch. “It will not be an easy task, yet I am sure we will succeed. I'll see you in a few minutes.”

“We are going to the ball,” Charlotte called after Louisa. “Will you do me a favor and tell Matt? I was about to change my shoes, but you are already dressed.”

Their brother continued to use his study at Worthington House, saying that even with the construction it was quieter than Stanwood House.

“And smelling of the stables. Hold off on the tea, and I shall go straightaway.” Making her way down the stairs, Louisa strode out of the house, and crossed Berkeley Square.

Bestselling author
Ella Quinn's
studies and other jobs have always been on the serious side. Reading historical romances, especially Regencies, were her escape. Eventually her love of historical novels led her to start writing them. She has just finished her first series, The Marriage Game, and her new series, The Worthingtons, began in April 2016.

She is married to her wonderful husband of over thirty years. They have a son and two beautiful granddaughters, and a dog. After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make their dreams come true and are now living on a sailboat cruising the Caribbean and North America. Europe is next!