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Colebourne strolled through the parlor nestled in the middle of the manor and settled in a chair near the window. He’d designed this room for his late wife to enjoy. They’d spent many hours together in the peaceful sanctuary as a family when Lucas was younger. He’d installed French doors that opened up to the rose garden. Olivia had taken to having her afternoon tea on the small terrace outside. On days like today, with the rain falling, she would laugh off the dread and throw open the window, allowing the roses’ perfume to fill the room. The memories brought a smile to his face, easing the ache he felt at missing her.
It was where he knew he would find Olivia’s sister, Susanna, and her husband, Ramsay. Susanna was his cohort in his matchmaking madness. She had opened the window, and a soft breeze wafted through. The fragrance of the roses and the melody of the rain falling lightly set the mood for the dilemma he needed to discuss with Susanna.
His latest match confused him on which course to take. The liberties he allowed Kincaid with Jacqueline had continued for too long. It must end with their marriage or he needed to send Kincaid away and settle Jacqueline with another gentleman. Even though it was his intention for them to wed, the length of their affair, if continued, would only lead to a scandal. How no one had discovered their affair yet was still a mystery. But if they weren’t careful, Jacqueline could find herself in a motherly way.
They must make this match happen sooner than the others. It wasn’t as if Kincaid hadn’t offered for Jacqueline’s hand in marriage; Colebourne had overheard the proposals on many occasions. His niece no doubt resisted the gentleman’s offer because of her fear of losing Kincaid, as she had her parents. The most tragic loss had uprooted her life and forced her out of her comfortable environment. Jacqueline had adjusted well to the move, but she thought she had to step into her mother’s shoes to fill the void with her two younger sisters, even mothering her cousin Gemma and Abigail Cason.
Each girl had reacted to her loss in a different manner. However, Jacqueline had been older, and the loss not only kept her from accepting Kincaid’s offer of marriage, but she also refused to lose her independence. An independence Colebourne had encouraged since she came to live with him, one that Kincaid would also encourage her to hold. However, Jacqueline refused to hold faith in Kincaid’s character.
It confused Colebourne. Kincaid was one of the most upstanding gentlemen in the ton. His strict structure of walking the straight and narrow, his polite mannerisms, his pursuit of knowledge, and his uncanny ability not to have any rumors of nefarious behavior attached to his name—it all kept him on many mothers’ list of the ton’s marital prospects. However, his depleted funds kept the fathers of the ton refusing a match.
Even with the knowledge Colebourne held of Kincaid’s past disreputable acts and the reason behind his destitute standings, he still believed him the most favorable prospect for Jacqueline. Yes, at one time, Kincaid had involved himself with reckless behavior. However, before his name was whispered on the gossipmongers’ tongues, Colebourne had aided him with an escape. And for years, Kincaid had repaid his debt whenever Colebourne requested it of him. Once he had noticed the attraction simmering between Kincaid and Jacqueline, Colebourne realized the need to clear the debt. But when Kincaid didn’t appear at breakfast or their appointment scheduled, it left Colebourne in doubt of the match.
Susanna looked up from her needlework. “Did your meeting progress as planned with Lord Kincaid?”
Colebourne tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair. “He never showed.”
Ramsay laughed and continued with his reading.
“Oh, dear. I thought perhaps he went for a morning ride, explaining his absence from breakfast since the rain stopped for a while. He has displayed his restlessness with the confinement since the wedding. Did he change his mind and leave early?”
“No. His horse still rests in the stables. I inquired of his whereabouts with Oakes, and he informed me that Kincaid has yet to rise for the day.”
Susanna raised her brows. “That sort of behavior is out of character for Lord Kincaid.”
“Not considering the late night he spent with Lucas and Graham. The card game continued into the early morning hours, and they consumed a two bottles of my best brandy. Kincaid claimed victory and won a sizable pot to keep him afloat for a couple of months.”
“Good for the lad,” Ramsay interjected.
Susanna frowned at her husband before turning her attention back to Theo. “I thought Lord Kincaid did not indulge in gambling or other vices.”
Ramsay harrumphed. “If he is any red-blooded male, then he indulges in all vices.”
Susanna narrowed her gaze at her husband again, not only for interrupting her but for his comments, too.
Colebourne laughed at Ramsay. There was much truth behind the remarks. “He does from time to time. However, nothing to draw the notice of others. And only in private gatherings among his friends. I am afraid this rain has pushed the gentlemen into overindulging in said vices.”
Susanna set her needlework to the side. “Then I must plan some entertainments to keep them occupied with the other guests. Since this rain continues, after dinner this evening, we shall enjoy an evening of parlor games. Charades, I think.” A sparkle lit her eyes at the different possibilities of grouping the teams.
“Do you have a plan?” Colebourne asked.
Susanna laughed. “One is formulating as we speak.”
“Excellent. We must speed this courtship along. Oakes informed me of how Kincaid and Jacqueline are reckless with their affections. A few servants have noted them kissing and meeting alone without a chaperone. While I permit the girls certain freedoms not allowed in society, I do so with the trust of them not stepping over the lines of decency. If we are not careful, the rumors will leak, forcing them into a union. When I started this journey, it was for none of them to become forced into a marriage but to find their soul mates, as I had found mine with Olivia. But Jacqueline is riding the fence of having her virtue come into question.”
Susanna nodded. “I understand. What you have set out to accomplish is remarkable. You have succeeded in four excellent matches. Your fifth match will find success, too. No matter how we must rush to make it happen.”
“I know you wish to return home for the holidays and to welcome Selina into your family once she and Duncan return from their wedding trip. If you could hold off until after the fox hunt, I would greatly appreciate it.”
“Of course we will. Will you offer Kincaid an audience after he awakens and realizes his blunder?”
Colebourne looked outside once more, pondering Susanna’s question before answering. He glanced back toward her. “I am undecided.”
“’Tis most simple. Make the bloke wait. Inform him of your indecision at considering a business partnership with his ineptitude for not arriving for a scheduled meeting. Make Kincaid stress over his predicament, forcing him to pursue Jacqueline with more determination.” Ramsay offered a convincing argument.
Colebourne smiled. “I knew you would earn your stay, eventually.”
Ramsay harrumphed. “You are lucky I do not send you a bill for my wife’s matchmaking services.”
“I think it has been a fair trade. Even though you overstep your bounds by having Cook supply you with extra treats not shared with others.”
Ramsay chuckled. “’Tis not my fault your staff’s loyalties lie with me and not you.”
A devious gleam shone in Colebourne’s eyes. “Well, I shall return the favor when I visit your castle for the holidays.”
Susanna shook her head over their bantering. “You two are shameful.”
An adequate term to describe the bond of their friendship.