Lady Wetherby narrowed her eyes. “It’s only been a day, Mrs. Langton.”
“While that’s true, I just can’t see how it’s a good match. Marina and the duke are far too alike. With both of them being so…guarded, one wonders how they will get on—not just with each other but in Society. Though it’s difficult to tell, neither seems very interested in the other. Furthermore, His Grace was quite rude to Marina while they walked today. She deserves a husband who will treat her with respect and be a supportive partner.”
“He possesses a gruff nature,” Lady Wetherby said dismissively. “The fact that they are so alike is why they are a perfect match. From what I can tell, they’ll sit in companionable silence and won’t trouble each other at all. Honestly, that sounds like a splendid marriage indeed. Especially for Marina.”
Again, Juno blinked at her employer. Perhaps she was right. Juno didn’t like the duke—well, she didn’t like his treatment of Marina—and she was allowing her emotions to cloud her judgment. She should talk to Marina and see if she was still open to marrying him. Was he even considering proposing? Given his behavior that afternoon, it might be that he didn’t care to wed Marina.
Which was shortsighted on his part. Marina was lovely—smart, kind, and capable of running a household. Probably. Her mother was right that Marina was stronger than she realized. Juno would remind her of that at every possible opportunity.
“Do not be concerned that there doesn’t appear to be a spark between them either,” Lady Wetherby said. “Most marriages don’t begin with such rubbish.”
While Juno had enjoyed quite a spark with Bernard, she’d learned it shouldn’t be the primary objective in a marriage. Still, it was important. “I would hate for Marina to be unhappy.”
“Her happiness isn’t your goal—her marriage is.” Lady Wetherby exhaled. “I don’t mean to sound uncaring, and I do appreciate your concern for Marina, but she will manage. You must agree that a man like the duke would be much better for her than someone else. Someone who, say, enjoys conversing.”
While it sounded insulting, the countess wasn’t wrong. She knew her daughter and her discomfort with people she didn’t know. Even when Marina did get to know someone, she could be rather reserved.
“I expect them to marry, Mrs. Langton.” Lady Wetherby directed a demanding stare toward Juno. “Remember that I have given you a rather large incentive. I would hate to be disappointed, particularly when I must write a recommendation for your next position.”
Juno rarely felt disgruntled with people, but Lady Wetherby was trying her typically pleasant nature. “I shall do my best with what I have. We shall have to hope His Grace will loosen up a trifle.”
Lady Wetherby turned her attention from Juno, giving the impression she was dismissed. Turning, Juno departed the room and went in search of her ally in this matchmaking challenge.
After finally asking a footman, Juno met with Cecilia in the dining room, where she was overseeing the final arrangements for that evening. “Oh, Juno, I’m so glad to see you’re recovered from your earlier mishap.” Cecilia walked around the table to join her.
“I am, thank you. It was a rather chilling event,” she quipped.
“You seemed perturbed about it, and I’m just so sorry it happened.”
“I was annoyed with Rigid. He treated Marina rather obnoxiously during their promenade. She is justifiably afraid of bees and was being harassed by one. He had no sympathy for her situation.”
Cecilia’s brow pinched. “That doesn’t sound promising.”
“Not at all. I went to see Lady Wetherby to inform her that I didn’t think they would suit. She insists they are perfect for one another and expects them to wed.” Juno pressed two fingers to her temple. “This is going to be more difficult than I imagined.”
“I see.” Cecilia glanced toward the table. “I have placed them next to each other again, with you beside Lady Marina as you were last night.”
“I wonder if I ought to sit next to Rigid and try to encourage him to behave more politely. If he continues to act poorly with Marina, she will never relax around him. And if that happens, I can’t see him proposing marriage.”
“Unless he likes that about her. He’s rather…reserved himself.”
“I think you mean rigid.” Juno winked at her. “In truth, after listening to him speak with Marina during their promenade, I began to doubt his interest in her. Yes, I think I must sit next to him to prod him along.”
“I’ll make the change,” Cecilia said. “Tomorrow there will be a treasure hunt. The guests will be divided into teams to search for items on a list, and the winning team will receive a prize. I have made the duke, Lady Marina, and you a team.”
This would provide ample opportunity to determine if they would suit. “Splendid. I’m sure I can find an excuse to leave them alone at some point.”
Cecilia’s eyes gleamed with intent. “I’ll do what I can to help.”
“You are an excellent accomplice.”
“It seems, ah, very important that this match happens. I will do whatever I can.”
“I appreciate your support. Together, I can’t imagine we won’t be successful.”
Cecilia laughed softly. “How I wish I had met you before now. How old are you anyway?”
“Twenty-seven.”
“And what happened to Mr. Langton, if you don’t mind my nosiness.”
“I don’t mind at all. He died very suddenly within a year of our marriage.” Juno felt a moment’s sting as she recalled his senseless demise. Bernard was lovely but also foolish, and he drank too much.
“You seem to have landed on your feet. Do you have as many lives as a cat?”
Now Juno laughed. “Not yet, but I shall hope so. I have been very fortunate to establish myself.”
“You seem perfectly suited for your chosen profession. I take it you have no desire to marry again?”
“None whatsoever.” Juno had no need or inclination.
“Not even for male companionship?”
“Marriage isn’t necessary for that,” Juno whispered with a smile.
“How enterprising of you.” Cecilia tipped her head toward Juno. “Do you have a specific tactic in mind for how you will encourage the duke’s enthusiasm toward Lady Marina?”
“Not entirely. Perhaps he simply needs to be reminded that he came here to find a wife, and Marina is his only option.” Juno winced inwardly. She didn’t like thinking of Marina in that way. She deserved better than that. “He needs to give her—them—a true chance.” Juno was still dubious. Perhaps he was too, which put them in agreement. She marveled at that for a moment.
“Are you talking about me?”
The gruff sound of the duke’s voice prompted both Juno and Cecilia to whip around and face the door. The rigid duke stood just inside the dining room, his perpetual scowl only slightly less etched into his face than usual.
“Yes,” Juno answered quickly, drawing a sharp glance from Cecilia.
The duke stared at her a moment. Juno heard Cecilia’s breath catch.
He shrugged. “I was just passing.”