The Duke Dilemma Read Free Page B

you all right?” Edward lowered his glass to the side table, readying to rush to his friend’s side and pound him on the back if needed.
    “A w-wife?” The Viscount gestured for his guest to remain seated. “At his age? I don’t believe it—never heard such gammon! Impossible!”
    Seeing that his host had recovered, Edward eased back into his chair. “I must confess I had my doubts. As far as I can tell, he seems to be serious about this.”
    “But to contemplate marriage? He is not yet twenty, is he? No, can’t be. He’s the same age as Trevor.”
    “He reminded me that I had wed at his age.”
    “For you it was a necessity—last of the line, that sort of thing. There’s no danger of it in his case. Brent’s got plenty of sisters and lots of nieces and nevvies.” Rutherford narrowed his eyes, seeming to give the idea some thought. “The girls don’t matter so much, but I wish my boys would consider dancing attendance at the petticoat line. Not so much the younger two, but the oldest, Arthur, is past thirty. Wish he’d get on with the nuptial bit. I’d like to see an heir and the spare before I turn my toes up.” The Viscount crossed his legs, placing his right ankle on his left knee. “It’ll be an age before he gets around to it, maybe two.”
    “I’m not about to dissuade Frederick, mind, and he’s smart enough not to rush things. He told me that he merely wished to begin by perusing the available young ladies and see if there was someone who might interest him.”
    “Gad, I can hardly believe it.” Rutherford’s mouth went slack. “He’s every future mother-in-law’s dream, and I’ll wager every young lady’s ideal catch. You’ll have the females swarming all over when it’s known young Brent’s ready to wed.”
    “It remains to be seen how serious Frederick is about finding a bride. If beauty is paramount, one need only look about a room for an answer, it will be obvious. However, it would not come as a shock if he should prove a bit more particular. A lady one accompanies to the theater or takes for a drive in the Park might not be the type of lady one chooses to wed.”
    “That’s a lesson my own sons best learn, doubt it though. Looks ain’t everything!” Rutherford acknowledged the notion like a man who knew it well and had learned it from experience.
    “That’s what comes of growing up with three sisters with great beauty and varying temperaments.” The more Edwardthought about his son’s decision, the better he liked it. If his youngest, Muriel, could see her way to the altar, what’s to say his son, who had always seemed far more reasonable, could not make the same very sensible decision?
    “Any chance Brent can pass that bit of wisdom on to my lads?” His lordship leaned heavily on one arm of the chair toward Edward. “Look here, Faraday, you’ve got to know when to count your blessings. And I say this is one of them, because you, my friend, have always been very lucky.
Very
lucky!”
    “I am grateful.” And it would be a pleasure for him to accompany his son and heir, who was now marriage minded, on a perusal about Town. “You know, Walter? I believe you’re correct. Here’s to Frederick’s success.” Edward looked up from the fire and raised his glass to his friend.
    Lord Rutherford gave a hearty laugh, held his glass high in the air, and joined the toast.

CHAPTER TWO
    Edward had finished his morning toilette. His valet stood by, waiting to help the Duke don his forest-green double-breasted jacket, the final step that would complete the ritual.
    “Sturgis, is the Earl awake?” Edward’s hopes were not high that he might have a word with his son before leaving for Parliament.
    “Not likely, Your Grace. I expect his lordship is still abed.” Sturgis smoothed the material across the shoulders, making certain the fit of His Grace’s garment was indeed precise and it remained free of wrinkles.
    “I’m sure that is to be expected.” Edward suspected