“Gunter’s would have been pleasant,” Gareth said, as the carriage moved away. “Shall we go to White’s?”
The Duke of Wimberley grimaced. “I have no desire to lunch at the club. Too many young pups come up for the Season. Have you met Lord Newington?”
“He is the youngest of five children and heartily indulged by his sisters. He is also an amateur astronomer, and likes to dabble in Geography.”
“You seem to know him well. Are his estates in your neighborhood?”
“Hardly. I know him because he regularly calls on my sister.”
“Lady Laura does you credit. I'm happy the way things have turned out for you. You have made a good match. Lady Maria has never lacked for suitors. I always suspected she wanted a love match. I must say I didn't expect you to make one, though.”
“I know. Laura can't have enough fun at my expense. She keeps repeating what I used to say.”
“Love is a quagmire in which I will not be caught?”
“The same. She calls them my 'famous last words' before Lady Maria swept me off my pedestal.”
“I guess we were not different from Lord Newington. We thought we knew everything about life. We had it all planned out. You wouldn't marry for love while I would do just that.”
Gareth chuckled. “You had more sense than I did.”
“We'll dine at my place. My cook is an able fellow. He will rustle up something for us while we catch up. Unless you have plans?”
“None that won't keep. Let's go.”
The duke had underestimated his cook. The man was a marvel. He arranged a repast consisting of cold meats, crisply baked rolls, and an assortment of mouth-watering cakes, lightly dusted with sugar.
“Did you meet Barrington before he left London?” Gareth asked as they retired to the library.
“I met him the day I arrived. I'd put in an appearance at Lady Malloy's ball 'cause she's my aunt. I also wanted to felicitate you. Barrington told me you were in the garden with Lady Maria and would have my head if I so much as ventured in there.”
“Barrington is prone to exaggeration. Have you met Lady Barrington? She is delightful. Barrington dotes on her. They have returned to the country as Lady Barrington is increasing.”
“I haven't had the honor. If Lady Barrington is even half as amiable as Barrington described her, he is fortunate.”
“I came to know her well. She is amiable and true. Barrington is indeed lucky.”
The duke nodded and fell silent.
“I am sorry, dear fellow!” Lord Daventon said, resting his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “I still remember your wedding. You and Lady Margaret made a striking pair. It is the saddest thing that you only had three years together.”
Lord Wimberley went to a window and stared out of it. Hoping to stop him from dwelling on his wife’s death, Lord Daventon asked, “I haven’t seen Mary Jane since she was in swaddling clothes. Tell me about her.”
The duke turned away from the darkening sky and sighed. “I’m here for her sake. My mother has been looking after Mary Jane. Now her physician wants her to take the Harrogate waters. She isn’t prepared to leave unless I wed again and bring home a mother for Mary Jane.”
“It is only two years since you lost Lady Margaret. It may be too early for you to accept anyone else in her place.”
“My mother understands but says I must put my daughter’s needs first. There are other practical considerations. A dukedom comes with responsibilities. When my mother leaves, I will need someone to take over the reins. There are several estates apart from the principal seat.”
“What are you looking for in a wife?”
“I want someone who is kind and not shallow. I also want an older woman. She will make a better mother.”
“Will such a marriage serve you? You were to believe that marriage without love was meaningless.”
Lord Wimberley’s lips twisted in a sardonic smile. “I was young then. I didn’t know any better.”
“And now you are ancient. What does that make me? I can give you a year or two.”
“I’m twenty-six but I have seen enough to know that ton marriages are rarely based on love.”
“You found love the first time. It could happen again. Give yourself time to find someone who will suit. If not love, at least look for affection. In the meantime, make some other arrangement to run your household. If need be, send your daughter along with your mother.”
Lord Wimberley steepled his fingers and stared out of the window. “The first time was easy. I wanted to fall in love with a beautiful young woman, set up my nursery, and lead the life of a dutiful husband. My courtship with Margaret was short and swift. She was the Incomparable of the Season. She had beauty and birth. I was the unattached gentleman with the best prospects. Though second in line to the Wimberley title, I was my uncle’s heir. I would be an earl. Everyone said it was a match made in heaven.”
“I remember you first met Lady Margaret at Vauxhalls'. You told me it was love at first sight.”
“I told you. I was young. And foolish.”
Lord Daventon guessed that losing Lady Margaret had made his friend bitter. He didn’t want to risk falling in love again.
“Have you fixed your attention on anyone?”
“I don't want a miss out of the schoolroom. I want a woman who will be a mother to my daughter.”
“And young enough to give you an heir.”
Wimberley let out a sigh. “I don't care if the blasted title dies out or goes to another branch of the family.”
Gareth did a quick calculation. “I wouldn't wish that on the ton. Your heir is the Hon. Philip Lancing, isn't he?”
Lord Wimberley grimaced. “By a twist of fate, Philip is my heir. His father was the youngest of three brothers so he never stood a chance. During the last year, our family has had more than its share of deaths. A month after my father's demise, his two brothers and Philip's older brother died in a freak accident. Gad, Phillip is a wastrel and has a mean streak. When he was a mere boy, he strung up mice by their tails and watched them squirm. I must try for an heir, to safeguard my mother and my daughter's interests, and those of my tenants.”
“Do you have a plan to secure a wife?”
Looking sheepish, Lord Wimberley retrieved a list from a drawer and handed it to Daventon. “After Lady Malloy's ball, I made a list of unattached women above the age of twenty-five. Truth be told, though I've been meeting all of them for years, I don't know much about them.”
Lord Daventon skimmed over the list. His eyebrows shot up. Wimberley must be desperate. Though he didn't move much in Society, he could see more than half the women wouldn't suit. “Why don't you ask Lady Malloy? She will be happy to help.”
“She is determined to have me wed her husband's cousin. The chit is just out of the schoolroom and too young to know her mind.”
Gareth waved the list. “Do you mean to call upon them? If you do, it will set the gossips off.”
“I mean to go about this in the usual manner. At first a few dances, then morning calls,” Lord Wimberley said, not sounding very hopeful. There was no way he could be discreet. As soon as he was seen attending balls and squiring young women, he would have ambitious mamas snapping at his coattails.
“I can ask Lady Maria to go over this list,” Gareth said cautiously.
“By all means. I know Lady Maria to be the soul of discretion. Her opinion will be of immense help. She is welcome to prune down the list or add a name to it. It will only make my job easier.”
Gareth pocketed the list and took his leave.