“I plan to be on my way within the next few days,” Grayson said. “How about Mivart’s on Monday. Seven o’clock?”
James and Colin agreed and James took his leave. Colin gave Grayson a pensive look – the sort that warned an uncomfortable comment was imminent. He braced himself as his friend proceeded to point out, “If you married, your wife would take charge of Juliana’s coming out and you would be free from that concern.”
“Acquiring a wife requires careful consideration plus time spent on courtship. And this is supposing I have an interest in getting myself leg shackled, which I assure you I do not after witnessing your and James’s botched attempts at wedded bliss.”
“Just because we’ve had particularly bad luck, doesn’t mean you couldn’t be happy.”
“Or wretchedly miserable,” Grayson remarked. “And since I’m not a gambling man I’d rather not take the risk. Least of all when my brother, Matthew, has two sons, thus saving me from the need to produce an heir. No, what I need is a governess who can match Juliana’s spirit – someone who’ll take the time to understand her, to advise and listen to her while offering sound guidance and a useful education. A friend as well as a mentor.”
“That’s quite an impressive list of requirements,” Colin said with a wry smile. “Does such a creature even exist?”
“She has to,” Grayson said. He’d tried the traditional route, hiring women whose strict manner was familiar in most upper-class homes. Juliana had never responded well. She’d chased them all away eventually though he had to admit he was rather impressed by her actually sacking the last one outright. He shook his head and polished off the last of his drink. “Juliana must be ready to face the London Season when the time comes.”
With this in mind, he took his time penning a fitting advertisement later that evening. Gentleman seeks tutoress for his ward. Must be sensible, acquainted with the rules of etiquette, and capable of providing a well-rounded education.
He considered the wording. Tutoress sounded less austere than governess and would, he hoped, attract a woman of learning without the severity so often witnessed within the profession. Tomorrow he’d post the advertisement in the paper and, if luck were on his side, he’d return to Sutton Hall with a new employee.
But when he began receiving responses, one thing became alarmingly clear. None would do. Their manners were too curt, too demure, too aloof, or…too something that didn’t agree. Disheartened, Grayson feared the woman he sought did not exist and that he would have to return home to face Juliana alone.
Heaven help him.
* * *