Page 3 of The Duke’s Scandal (Bluestocking Book Club #5)
Chapter Two
“ I have decided to go to London.”
This proclamation made, Amos grinned at his mother as she gaped at him, fully aware that this was something she had been hoping to hear him say for some years now.
He had taken on the mantle of Dukedom four years ago, and almost the very day his father had passed away, his mother had spoken about his need for a wife.
“You will, no doubt, try to keep me from stepping into the midst of society, but I must tell you, Mother, that I am quite determined!” Chuckling to himself at the scowl that drew into his mother’s face at this remark, Amos could not help but continue his teasing.
“I am certain you will warn me about all the dangers that lie there, about the many young lady that will try to drag my attentions towards them, about the gentlemen who will seek to befriend me solely because of my wealth and standing but, alas, I fear there is no other way for me to find myself a suitable bride unless I make my way there.”
“Oh, Amos, do be quiet.”
Amos turned, seeing his sister standing by the door of the drawing room. He had not heard her come in. “Good afternoon, Flora.” He tipped his head. “You have enjoyed a walk with your husband this fine afternoon, I hear.”
“I have indeed,” she said, a smile darting across her lips. “And now I return to hear you teasing our mother mercilessly!”
Amos chuckled as his sister squeezed his arm gently and then went to sit beside their mother, who, much to his relief, was smiling good-naturedly.
“Your brother has always been inclined to such nonsense, has he not?” the Duchess asked, as Flora nodded fervently. “For years, I have near begged him to go to London to secure his future, but he has always ignored me!”
“And now, when he says he will go, he pretends that you are to warn him from going and seeks instead to pull you back!” Flora added, sounding exasperated whilst, at the very same time, sending him a wink. “How very irritating he is.”
“I am able to hear all you are saying of me,” Amos interrupted, laughing at the way his mother rolled her eyes. “I apologize for teasing you so, Mother. I know very well that you are very eager indeed for me to make my way into society.”
The Duchess smiled back at him, her eyes twinkling. “Indeed I have, for how else are you to find a suitable wife? You must continue on the family line, for you are the Duke of Exeter – and the Duke of Exeter requires an heir!”
“I do have two excellent brothers, however,” Amos stated, coming to sit down instead of retreating from the room to leave his mother and sister to talk. “If I cannot find a good wife, then I am certain that they would be very well able to step into the role.”
This response brought him nothing but a few minutes of silence.
Amos did his best to keep his expression steady, looking back at his mother with nonchalance while, at the very same time, battling the laughter beginning to burrow into his heart.
He knew as well as she did that his two younger brothers – twins, in fact – were quite dreadful when it came to matters of responsibility.
They were both still at Eton, being younger than both himself and Flora by some years. ”
“You are being quite ridiculous now, Amos.” The use of his Christian name told Amos that his mother was wearing of his nonsense. “Now, tell me when it is you intend to go to London. This Season, I presume?”
“Within a sennight, I think,” Amos told her, choosing now to be quite sensible. “Or mayhap a fortnight, depending on how long it will take for the preparations. Will you wish to come with me?”
His mother’s eyebrows lifted. “To London? Oh no, I do not think so.”
“No?” This surprised Amos a little. “I thought you might wish to come to London yourself, to return to society and see some of your friends and acquaintances, some of whom you have not seen for a long time.”
This made the Duchess shake her head fervently. “I most certainly do not. I am quite contented here at the estate – and I do not want Flora and Galbraith to return to Scotland early, simply because you have determined to leave here and go to London!”
Amos considered this, then nodded. “I understand.” His sister and her husband, the Marquess of Galbraith, had come to visit from Scotland and intended to stay for some months.
Thus far, they had been with them for a little over two months, but Amos considered, mayhap he was being a little inconsiderate in departing from the estate to London.
“ Mayhap I should stay, however. I had not thought about your presence, Flora. I should not want you or your husband to be disappointed at my absence.”
“No, no!” Both his mother and sister spoke at once, their eyes wide.
“No, please do not alter your plans for my sake!” his sister continued.
“Mother and I will be very contented here at the estate, and you know very well that Galbraith so much enjoys riding and shooting that he will be more than contented until you return. Besides,” she continued, a flick of her lips sending a gleam into her eyes, “is it not good that we are here at the very time that you are thinking of finding a bride? It means that we will be present for your wedding day!”
Amos snorted. “You are being a little presumptuous, are you not? I may not find someone suitable this Season. I may have to wait until next Season.” The door opened behind him, and he glanced over his shoulder, smiling at his brother-in-law, who immediately came across the room to kiss his wife. “Or mayhap the Season thereafter!”
Flora rolled her eyes at him, then sighed heavily as her husband sat down in the seat beside her. “Must you be so very exasperating? You are a Duke, with a vast fortune and a good deal of land and property. I am certain you will be able to find someone within a week, if you so wish!”
This did not make Amos smile. Instead, it brought a slight weight to his heart, making his brows knot together. “I – I do not think that I would consider a young lady who might only think of my property and fortune.”
“That is not what I meant,” Flora replied, with a wave of her hand and a look of exasperation. “Come now, do be sensible, brother.”
“I think he must be considerate all the same.” Lord Galbraith pursed his lips, then shrugged even when his wife shot him a sharp look.
“You know as well as I, my dear, that I had to prove myself to your brother and to you. I had to show you that I did not care about your standing or your fortune and dowry. I had to prove my heart to you, did I not?” He gestured to Amos but kept looking at Flora.
“That will be the same – even more so – for Exeter here. There will be many young ladies desperate for his attention, for they will think only of their potential standing as Duchess!”
This did not bring Amos any encouragement, making him wonder if he should remain at the estate instead of going to London, as he had first thought.
“All the same, there are bound to be some young ladies who will not think only of that,” Flora said, a hint of desperation in her voice. “You cannot discourage him, Galbraith! You must do all you can to encourage him.”
Lord Galbraith lifted his shoulders and let them fall for what was now the second time.
“I am speaking only as I think right,” he said, turning his attention back to Amos.
“We are good friends now, are we not? Therefore, I must suggest that you be cautious when you make your way through society. There will not only be young ladies pursuing you but also their mothers, their fathers, aunts and uncles! There will be many of the ton who have no interest in you personally but only in the Dukedom and what it might potentially bring them.”
“Galbraith, please!” Flora sounded desperate now, perhaps afraid that Amos would refuse to go to London after all. “I cannot think that any of this is in any way helpful. I am sure that – ”
“He is right.” Amos scowled, rubbing one hand over his face before he sat back in his chair with a heavy sigh.
“I had not truly thought of such a thing, though I was aware that the ton might be a little more… eager in their desire to become acquainted with me, but I did not think seriously about the consequences of that.”
There came a short silence in the room, which made Amos’ heart twist. His mother, sister, and brother-in-law were all clearly aware that finding a bride who would want to marry him for more than just his fortune and standing might be somewhat difficult, and yet he himself had never really thought of it!
“If you wish, I would be glad to come to London with you.”
This made Amos’ eyes widen in surprise, just as Flora caught her breath.
“I do not mind returning to society for a time,” Lord Galbraith continued, glancing at his wife.
“If Flora would prefer me to stay here with her, however, then I would, of course, do so.” Smiling, he reached out and took her hand and Flora quickly returned it, showing no upset at such a statement. “Whatever you think best, my dear.”
Flora looked back at her husband, then turned her gaze to Amos. “It does sound as though you could do with a good friend, Amos.”
Amos frowned. “I do have some excellent acquaintances already, Flora. I am sure that they would suffice.” Seeing her smile begin to fade, he continued quickly. “Of course, however, I should be very glad to have such fine company, especially given his awareness of my present situation.”
“Then it is settled,” Flora declared, as smiles began to spread across every face – every face save for Amos. “Galbraith shall go with you to London, and mother and I shall remain here.” She turned to the Duchess. “Will that be satisfactory? ”
“ More than satisfactory,” their mother said warmly. “I should be very glad to have some time with you alone, my dear.”
Amos, who had not said a single word for some minutes, blinked and then cleared his throat.
“It seems that all has been arranged for me, then.” A little uncertain as to how he felt about such a thing, he could not help but smile at the grin on Lord Galbraith’s face.
“It seems to me, my friend, that you are quietly delighted about the prospect of returning to London.”
“I was not thinking about making my way there until it was suggested, but now – and almost immediately – a great anticipation fills me!” Lord Galbraith admitted.
“I have not been amongst society for some time, and there will be many acquaintances there for me to speak with, I am sure. In fact,” he continued, getting to his feet, “I think I shall go and begin to make preparations at once. When did you say we were to leave?”
Amos grinned. “Within a sennight,” he answered, as Lord Galbraith’s shoulders dropped. “I must write to have the townhouse prepared, which I shall do this very afternoon.”
“Capital.” Lord Galbraith went to sit back down again. “And I am sure that, within a few weeks, we will have found you a suitable bride and you will, very soon, have yourself a very happy and contented situation.”
Amos let out a bark of laughter. “I am not certain it will be as simple as that, but I will be very grateful for your company,” he said, smiling. “To London we go, then! Let us hope it will be an enjoyable Season, at the very least.”
“And let us pray you have success,” his mother added emphatically. “For I should like to see you happy and settled here at the estate, Exeter. ”
About to open his mouth and state that he was already very happy and settled, Amos chose to say nothing and instead, only smiled.
His mother had always been furiously determined to see him wed and now, he supposed, she was to get what she wanted…
provided he could find the right young lady to marry him!
I do not want someone who thinks only of my wealth or of becoming a Duchess, he thought, setting his jaw tight. I want to marry someone who knows me as I am, who cares for me and for our future. His brow furrowed. I only pray I will be able to find her.