Page 10 of The Baron’s Perfect Match (Twist of Fate #1)

T he next morning shone bright, and Audrey decided as she dressed for the day that her sisters needed a bit of distraction today.

The weather was quite warm for the beginning of April, and it was the perfect day for an outing, even if it was only to deliver the dresses to Mrs. Beaumont.

She really wanted to take her sisters for ices at Gunter’s, but unfortunately, with the quarterly allowance being so much less than she’d been expecting, she couldn’t indulge in any frivolous spending.

She went downstairs to the dining room. Her sisters hadn’t come down as of yet, but she’d heard them chattering when she passed their bedchamber door. She’d just sat down and poured herself a cup of tea when Beckwith came in carrying a silver salver. “This letter came for you, Miss Parker.”

Audrey was puzzled. Who would be writing to her? She wasn’t expecting anything. Then she saw Mr. Haggerty’s name on the letter, and a lump rose in her throat. She wasn’t sure why she was so nervous. Perhaps it was good news .

Could the heir have finally arrived in England?

What would that mean for them?

She took the letter and broke the seal.

Miss Parker,

I’m writing to inform you that the heir to the Fletcher title has arrived in England. His name is Mr. Jacob Stanford, and he’s eager to meet you and your sisters.

Please present yourselves at Mivart’s Hotel at noon today for a luncheon with Lord Fletcher.

Sincerely,

Mr. Haggerty

Audrey didn’t know whether to be happy or sad that the heir had finally arrived.

All she knew was that for the past six weeks, she hadn’t stopped thinking about meeting him.

What would he be like—old and cranky or young and arrogant?

She didn’t know which she preferred. She only cared about one thing.

What if he didn’t want to support them? What would they do for funds?

And more importantly, what if he evicted them from Gracechurch Street?

Their small house belonged to the estate, and the new baron could decide to sell it.

She had no idea what their future would be like if that were to happen.

“Audrey, why are you frowning so early in the morning?” Grace asked as she and Mia walked into the dining room.

“It seems the heir has been found and has arrived in London.”

“Really? Then why do you look troubled? Isn’t that a good thing?”

“I’m not sure,” Audrey said, handing the letter to Grace.

Mia looked over Grace’s shoulder while they read the letter together.

“Mivart’s Hotel? My goodness, that’s the fanciest hotel in London, and we’ve been invited for luncheon. I’d say that’s a very good thing,” Mia said.

“Perhaps. We shall see when we present ourselves for luncheon,” Audrey said.

“Well, I’m only going to think positive thoughts,” Grace said. “Plus, we might as well enjoy the luncheon because I’m sure we’ll never be invited there again.”

Audrey nodded. “You’re right, Grace. I must inform Mrs. Culbert that we’ll be out for luncheon, and then we must deliver the dresses to Mrs. Beaumont.”

“I think I should change,” Mia said.

“Mia, you look very pretty. No need to change,” Audrey said.

“But I want to look my best when meeting the new baron. The green day dress will be better.”

“Whatever you want, dearest. You should eat some breakfast first, though.”

After breakfast, Audrey carefully packed the two finished dresses for Mrs. Beaumont in a box. She wanted to be excited about meeting the new baron, but only the worst thoughts she’d had when she first saw the letter kept swirling around her mind.

Perhaps Mia was correct, and they should wear their very best to meet him.

She walked up the stairs and stopped at her sisters’ bedchamber. “I think Mia had a good idea. We shall wear our best dresses today to meet Lord Fletcher.”

“I’ll help with your hair, Audrey,” Grace said. “We can do better than a simple chignon to meet the heir.”

“Thank you, Grace. That would be lovely.”

After much fussing and changing of minds, the Parker sisters were ready to depart in their best day dresses for a pleasant late-morning walk to the modiste’s shop. When the women entered the shop, they were surprised to see quite a few customers already being helped by two shop girls.

Mrs. Beaumont saw them and walked over to Audrey. “Miss Parker, lovely to see you today. Does your dress need more alterations?”

Audrey was initially confused by the question until she realized that Mrs. Beaumont was hiding the fact that Audrey was secretly working for her. “A few more tweaks to the bodice, I think, and it will be perfect,” she said, handing the box to the modiste.

“Of course, Miss Parker. It will be taken care of. Will it be agreeable for you to come back tomorrow for the final fitting?”

Audrey nodded. “That will work perfectly well. Thank you, Mrs. Beaumont.”

The modiste smiled and wished them all a lovely day .

“Good day, Mrs. Beaumont,” Audrey said, leading her sisters outside.

“What was that about?” Mia asked. “Those were the dresses you were fixing, weren’t they?”

“Mia, hush. Mrs. Beaumont was being incredibly kind. Did you notice all the young ladies in the shop this morning?” Audrey asked.

“Yes. I don’t understand why it should matter, though.”

“Mrs. Beaumont was saving us from the scandal of it being known that we’re reduced to taking in sewing, and I, for one, am very grateful for her consideration. She’s very kind.”

“Indeed,” Grace agreed. “I was confused at first, but quickly caught on. She’s such a lovely woman to do that for us.”

“She is indeed, and we’ll meet with her again tomorrow to see if she has any more sewing for us. Now, let us head over to Mivart’s Hotel. We don’t want to keep the baron waiting,” Audrey said.

222

Jacob was seated at a table when he saw the solicitor walk in. He waved him over. “Good day, Mr. Haggerty. I hope you’re well today.”

Mr. Haggerty took a seat. “Very well. Thank you, my lord.”

“No need for such formality. Please call me Jacob.”

“I’m afraid that would not be proper, and in any case, the Parker sisters will be here shortly, and protocol must be followed.”

“Of course, if you insist.”

“I have a list of the estate holdings for your review,” Mr. Haggerty said, handing a document to Jacob. “As you can see, last year’s bad harvest has greatly reduced the quarterly income.”

“I can see that.”

“Lord Fletcher, there’s another issue I’d like to talk to you about.”

“More issues?” Jacob asked.

“Not exactly an issue, but something that needs to be taken care of. You’ll need to present yourself to the Lord Chamberlain in the House of Lords to be officially recognized as Baron Fletcher. You’ll need another peer to stand with you.”

“That’s a problem. I don’t know any peers,” Jacob said.

“I understand. If you agree, I will contact the Earl of Devon, who is another client of mine, and ask him if he’d be willing to accompany you to Parliament. I can arrange a time for you to meet him. Will that be agreeable to you?”

“I suppose. Mr. Haggerty, is all this necessary? I’m not planning on staying in England. I have a business to run in New York City.”

“I’m afraid it’s all necessary for you to be officially recognized. Shall I contact Lord Devon on your behalf?”

“Yes. Contact him. It will be good to know some of the other lords.”

“Very good, my lord. I’ll send a note around, letting you know of the meeting date as soon as I hear from him.”

Jacob sighed. This was becoming more complicated than he could ever have imagined. He’d thought he’d come here, find out the details of the inheritance, make a few decisions, and return to New York. It clearly wouldn’t be as easy as that.

He was reviewing the paperwork when a shadow fell over the table.

When he looked up, he saw the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, and his heart flip-flopped.

She was a vision, and he couldn’t look away.

It was like he’d been struck by lightning.

She had startling blue eyes, as if the stars from the heavens shone through them, and a flawless complexion.

A few wisps of hair had escaped her bonnet to fall around her face.

He’d told Henry that he wasn’t ready to wed…

perhaps that wasn’t quite true anymore. A beauty like her could certainly tempt any man to become leg-shackled.

What?

Why would he think that? A pretty face alone couldn’t be enough to change his mind about marrying. Could it?

Mr. Haggerty stood. “Ladies, always a pleasure to see you all.”

He’d been so busy staring at the young woman in front of him, and he hadn’t realized she wasn’t alone. Gawking like that was horribly rude. Jacob scrambled to his feet.

“Lord Fletcher, these young ladies are Miss Parker, Miss Grace Parker, and Miss Mia Parker. Ladies, may I present Lord Fletcher to you?”

All three women curtseyed.

“I’m very pleased to meet you all,” Jacob said. “Won’t you please take a seat?” he asked, pulling out the nearest chair for Miss Parker.

“Thank you, my lord,” she said, taking her seat.

Miss Grace and Miss Mia took the seats next to the solicitor.

“I was explaining to Lord Fletcher the details of the estate,” Mr. Haggerty said after everyone was seated.

“Miss Parker, I understand there’s a country house. Have you and your sisters ever lived there?” Jacob asked.

Miss Parker shook her head. “No, my lord. My late father wasn’t enamored with the country. He preferred London.”

“I see. Have you ever visited the estate?”

“No, not that either. There was a plan to visit Dandridge Manor some years back, but unfortunately, my mother fell ill, and we never made it,” she said.

“That seems rather a shame. Why not go after your mother recovered?”

Mr. Haggerty cleared his throat. “My lord, Lady Fletcher unfortunately passed away.”

Jacob could feel the blood drain from his face. This wasn’t a good beginning to his guardianship. “Miss Parker, I sincerely apologize for my insensitive remark.”

“I understand, my lord. You had no way of knowing.”