Page 22 of The Earl Next Door
“Tell me, is there any chance you plan to select a wife this Season?” his father asked when their conversation grew quiet.
“This is old, rocky terrain, Marksworth, and no use going over it again. My views haven’t changed since last you asked.”
“Nor have mine.”
“You swear you loved my mother, so would you allow me to fall in love before I marry, too?”
“Of course,” Marksworth said with a slight frown. “I want you to. But as they say, the day grows late for the harvest while your heart searches for love. Keep in mind you were going off to Eton when I was your age. A man with a title to pass down shouldn’t wait so long to have a son. You could do me a favor and at least tell me there is reason to hope you might findlovethis Season.”
Unbelievably, Lady Wake crossed Lyon’s mind again. He shrugged off thoughts of her, but he couldn’t shake the sudden feeling that he was ready to find love.Someone other than his friends to share Lyonwood with him.
Irritated by his lack of possibilities, he said, “I don’t want to look for a bride as if I were looking for a mare to furnish my paddocks with colts.”
Marksworth quirked his head and lifted his brow, and gave Lyon an exaggerated smile. “I’ll be happy to do the honors for you. Mr. William Palmont’s daughter is making her debut this Season. I met her a few nights ago in their home. Quite by chance. She’s lovely, delightful and full of vigor. I think you couldloveher.” His father looked pointedly at him. “She has serious brown eyes, which should appeal to you. She’s most definitely extremely intelligent, which you would insist upon and appreciate. And she seemed quite discerning, which should suit you perfectly since you’re so picky.”
“Picky?” Lyon shifted in his chair. It was unusual for Marksworth to deliberately rile him. Though he couldn’t say his father didn’t know what he was looking for in a wife. “I’m selective.”
“If you prefer that word, fine. Use it.” He paused, then inhaled loudly. “I suppose the meaning of both fit though I suppose you aren’t old enough to be jaded.”
“And I don’t need your help finding a wife.”
Marksworth cleared his throat and looked about the room before settling his gaze on Lyon again. “You haven’t done a very good job of it so far. At the rate you’re progressing, I’ll be an addled, decrepit man before you give me a grandson.”
Lyon shook his head and smiled warmly as he looked at his father. There was no getting the best ofhim. And Lyon suddenly noticed Cordelia was wrong about his father not aging at all. His aunt must not have looked closely at the Marquis recently. He had a smattering of gray in his hair, though it hardly showed in the light-brown color. Not much of the aging color, but enough to be sure. In any case, it was nice to know his father didn’t think that nearing fifty was old.
“Perhaps a change of subject is needed,” Marksworth offered as a sign of peace. “Have you had the opportunity to speak to your new neighbor over the hedgerow?”
The mention of the countess caused a slow roll in the bottom of Lyon’s stomach. He sat up straighter in the chair. “Lady Wake?”
“Or Lady Kitson Fairbright or Mrs. Brina Feld. Though I’m told those two don’t live on the property. I have no idea how often they might visit. They helped Lady Wake finance the school.”
Interested in what else his father knew about Lady Wake, Lyon shifted in his chair again. “How do you know about this?”
“The same way I knew Miss Ballingbrand had changed her mind and decided she didn’t mind if she married after all. You should know by now not many things happen in London I don’t know about.”
Yes, Lyon did know that, but it hadn’t occurred to him to ask his father about his incensed neighbor.
“How did it come about? The school. Does Lady Wake own the property? Is she leasing it from Mr. Bottles?”
His father’s brows rose and he looked keenly at Lyon. “You are inquisitive about this, aren’t you?”
“There’s a half dozen or more girls living next door to me. I’m curious,” he offered, hoping his father wouldn’t start asking him questions he didn’t want to answer and wasn’t sure he could.
“Yes, but there’s more to it than that. When you said Lady Wake’s name, you suddenly looked as if someone had just sat down on your favorite hat.”
Lyon smiled. His father didn’t miss much. Lyon was irritated with the countess, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t also interested in her and what she was doing. She intrigued him with her bold, hot-blooded spirit.
“Just the simple facts will do, Marksworth.”
“Very well. I’m fine with you hoarding your thoughts and keeping me in the dark. Mr. Clements, Lady Wake’s solicitor, was Mr. Bottles’ representative as well. Lady Wake wanted to buy a property large enough for a small school, and Mr. Bottles wanted to move to York to be with his daughter. Clements put the two of them together and they settled on a price. Are those facts simple enough for you?”
His father grinned. So did Lyon.
So Lady Wake owned the house. That was good to know. The thought that he could purchase it from her immediately entered his mind. At a hefty profit to her, of course. He’d even help her find a more satisfactory place to move the school. Where there was plenty of land for the girls to roam and play.
“Do you know why three ladies of considerable means would want to open a boarding school to teach the finer arts of manners and whatever else girls are taught?” Lyon asked. “I would think they’d be more into teas, card parties, and reading societies.”
“I don’t know what you’ve heard, but it’s not an ordinary boarding school. It’s not for the girls of Society. Not even those whose families find themselves financially embarrassed for one reason or another. It’s unique in that it’s only for girls who lost a father or brother when theSalty Dovesank. The men who worked on the ship. The stewards, attendants, and so forth. I really don’t know the finer details, but the girls are from those unfortunate families. They would probably never have the opportunity to be taken in by anyone to learn a trade unless someone took them in to train as a scullery maid. I’m told the widows’ school will teach the girls to sew. Quite admirable of the widows to take on such a charitable project.”
