The Wednesday night assemblies on King Street were considered the height of the marriage mart where young ladies found appropriate husbands. “Who are the two girls with them?” Grace asked.
“Those are Lady Castleton’s daughters, Lady Ellie and Lady Olivia.”
Grace watched the two girls with avid interest. Both were very pretty. One had hair a lovely shade of red; the other was fair-haired. These were Ian’s sisters, the reason he was going through the effort of learning how to act as a proper gentleman. As she watched, the red-haired sister reached for a lovely bonnet adorned with ribbons and a saucy peacock feather on display on a table. A movement caught the girl’s eye, and she glanced in the direction of the shopkeeper’s son. Jonathan smiled at her, and she offered a tentative smile in return. Unfortunately, Lady Taddlesworth caught the exchange, and she immediately pulled on the girl’s arm, leaning down to say something to her that made her drop the bonnet on the table and frown.
Grace felt sorry for the young lady.
“Why are they with Lady Taddlesworth?” Grace asked.
“I believe the countess has asked for Lady Taddlesworth’s assistance with preparing her daughters for their debut into Society. The poor things. Can you imagine?” Prudence asked.
“No. They look scared to death of her. Can we avoid Lady Taddlesworth as we leave?”
Prudence shook her head. “Surely they will see us. We must greet them.”
They approached with unease. “Hello, Lady Castleton. Lady Taddlesworth,” Prudence said, and curtsied. “You know my good friend, Miss Ashton.”
Grace curtsied. “It is a pleasure to see you both.” She couldn’t help but compare Lady Castleton to her son. Unlike Ian’s dark looks, Lady Castleton’s coloring was fair. Only the shape of their eyes was similar. The lady was dressed in black bombazine again.
“May I introduce my daughters, Ellie and Olivia,” Lady Castleton said.
Before Grace could offer the girls a smile, Lady Taddlesworth spoke up. “I remember our last meeting for the Orphaned Children’s Relief Society well. You were quite opinionated as I recall.”
Grace knew Prudence’s concerns were valid. One word from the powerful widow could ruin a lady’s chances of seeking a coveted Almack’s voucher and even tarnish her reputation. Grace forced a smile, one she prayed appeared genuine. “Only for the benefit of the children.”
“An admirable trait if you ask me,” Lady Castleton added.
“Yes, I suppose,” Lady Taddlesworth said, softening her tone a bit, then turning her attention away from Grace.
Grace was grateful to Ian’s mother for her interference once again. She waited until the women were occupied with a display of turbans before approaching the sisters.
“I saw you looking at the bonnet with the peacock feather,” Grace said to Ellie. “I think it would look lovely on you. Try it on,” she urged.
“Really?” Ellie asked.
“No one is looking. Try it.”
Ellie smiled mischievously as she slipped on the bonnet and tied it beneath her chin.
“Just as I thought. It brings out the vivid blue in your eyes. Take a look.”
Ellie glimpsed her reflection in the polished mirror, and Grace caught the girl’s surreptitious glance in the direction of the shopkeeper’s son.
Interesting. Jonathan was a handsome youth, and Ellie was lovely. But such a flirtation between an earl’s sister and a shopkeeper’s son would never be condoned.
“I love it, but Lady Taddlesworth wouldn’t approve,” Ellie said, a hint of sadness in her voice.
“She’d pick a bonnet with frilly lace, never one with such a bold and sassy feather. She says gentlemen prefer innocent-looking young ladies,” Olivia said.
“What does she know about what gentlemen like? She’s been widowed forever,” Grace said.
Both girls chuckled, then covered their mouths. Olivia looked around before whispering, “We call her the Dragon.”
It was Grace’s turn to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud. “It’s a fitting name.”
“We think so,” Ellie said.
“Why does your mother insist that Lady Taddlesworth instruct you?” Grace asked.
“She’s a distant family relation. Mother desperately wants to ensure we are properly accepted into Society, and claims that with Lady Taddlesworth’s support, others have had great success in finding proper husbands,” Olivia said.
Grace couldn’t imagine what Taddlesworth considered a proper husband. A boring aristocrat? An aging, toothless viscount or marquess? Or a strict husband who would act more like a jailer than a partner?
Ellie wrung her hands. “She makes me practice the pianoforte for hours each day.”
Olivia wrinkled her nose. “She makes me sing.”
“I take it you don’t enjoy the piano or singing?” Grace asked.
“I’m a horrid singer,” Olivia said.
Ellie nodded in agreement. “It’s true. She screeches. And I hate the piano.”
“I’d rather ride,” Olivia said.
“And I’d rather read,” Ellie said. “But according to Lady Taddlesworth, neither are acceptable and won’t find us proper husbands.”
“I think your mother means well, but Lady Taddlesworth doesn’t know a fig about what gentlemen want,” Grace insisted.
Ellie chuckled, a bit more loudly this time. “I like you.”
“I like you, too,” Grace said.
“I hope I see you again. Perhaps at a ball or party once I make my debut?” Ellie asked.
Grace nodded. “I’m certain you will.”
Grace pictured the two young ladies escorted by their brother to a ball. She realized that she’d never seriously considered the full ramifications of Ian’s success. She’d only cared about completing her end of the bargain and satisfying her father’s debts to the Raven Club. But now that she’d met Ian’s sisters, her perspective was beginning to change. He was become more real…more admirable…and infinitely more desirable.
It was a perilous combination for a lady’s heart.
Chapter Eleven
On Grace’s next late-night visit to Ian’s home, the butler greeted them at the back door accompanied by a tall, thin woman wearing a black dress with a starched white collar and cuffs.
“Good evening, my lord. Good evening, miss.” The woman bobbed a curtsy and then smiled.
Ian made the introductions. “This is Mrs. Smithson, the new housekeeper.”
Grace’s eyes widened. She’d never expected Ian to obtain a housekeeper so quickly.
“Everything is as you wished, miss,” Jenkins said.
She looked at the butler standing beside the new housekeeper, an eager expression on his wrinkled face. “Thank you, Jenkins.”
Ian led Grace farther into the kitchen. Once they were alone, he chuckled, drawing her attention.
“What’s so humorous?” Grace asked.
“It’s only your third visit here and already you’ve charmed stodgy Jenkins. I overheard him speaking highly of you to Mrs. Smithson,” Ian said.
“I didn’t charm Jenkins.”
“Oh? He’s nearly tripped over his own feet to greet you, and he’s been fussing in the library all evening to arrange everything just so.”