Everything about Ravenhurst reminded him of his father, and he imagined it would have been a location Hamilton Carrack would have frequented. Although the feeling of nostalgia remained evident as he surveyed the room, Richard felt detached from it all. As if his time at Stonemede had changed him, and he no longer belonged.
Seeing Greyson and Jonathan, he shook off his melancholy thoughts and made his way over to join his friends.
"I see you two have not waited for me to open another bottle of brandy." Richard indicated the bottle of special reserve they kept at the club exclusively for themselves.
"I have never been one to deny myself, even for a short period of time." With no repentance on his face, Jonathan grinned.
"How are the two of you doing this evening?" Richard asked.
"Very well," Jonathan replied. "How about your bride search? Have you had any luck?"
"Yes, although nothing has gone exactly as I expected."
Richard imagined Jonathan had heard about Greyson's involvement, so the secrets were out. He had not intended to hide anything, yet he was not anxious to be questioned by his friends. Brianna may not be the perfect bride he had originally envisioned, but he had hopes that soon she would change her more wild ways and conform to his ideals.
"I can see why. Are you aware of Lady Brianna's views on titles?" Greyson asked.
"I am."
"Yes." Jonathan's amusement was obvious. "I believe Richard found himself the only lady who isn't interested in becoming a marchioness. How did you manage that?"
"You of all people know how women operate. They don't know what they really want. I'll simply have to show her the error of her previous thinking." Richard feigned confidence.
"How are you planning on accomplishing such a feat? Once she discovers your true identity, she most likely will not be keen on giving you an opportunity to convince her."
Jonathan acted as if he was making a joke, but his friend could not be more wrong. His plan was simply not fully formed as of yet. However, he was nothing if not determined.
"I suppose I shall have to continue to conceal the truth until she is more amenable to accepting me."
"So, what exactly is your plan?" Greyson inquired.
"I have not straightened out all the details, but I'm aware every moment offers another opportunity for her to discover my secret." Richard gritted his teeth, not needing the reminder.
"I agree, but are you certain she will not have you once she learns the truth? If you confess now, you might have a better chance. Lying only makes matters worse," Greyson cautioned.
"I don't believe she is ready to give up her vision of her future, but I'll change that." Richard pondered as he took a sip of his brandy. "My mother is hosting a small gathering of friends this upcoming weekend. She requested I be in attendance. I suppose this is her way of doing her part in assisting me with my search."
"You have not invited Lady Brianna, have you?" Shock resounded in Jonathan's voice.
"Certainly not. I hope the separation will be good for her, since she seems eager to be in my company."
"I'm not sure leaving her with the other ladies will help your cause. What if she asks about you and finds out the truth?" Greyson asked.
"I don't believe she will. Her mother is unaware of her decision to avoid titled gentlemen, so she must keep to herself about me," Richard said, counting on it.
"You are hoping she will miss you, and be so grateful for your return, she will not be concerned with your title?" Jonathan asked.
"It's a start, for it will be a good length of time before we see each other again."
"It does sound reasonable, considering the trouble she put herself through to locate you at the club before." Greyson tilted his head to one side.
"I hope you are right." Jonathan eyed him skeptically. "I do wish you luck, though. I believe you shall need it."
"Thank you," Richard replied dryly. Despite Jonathan's doubt, he believed his absence would affect Brianna and therefore increase her regard for him. He smiled to himself, anticipating the effects their separation would have.
Brianna sat at her dressing table, waiting for her maid to finish fixing her hair for the dinner party. Part of her bounded with excitement as usual, but the other part dreaded the event. Lord and Lady Wickham were known for their display of wealth, and this dinner would be no exception. Tonight awarded them an opportunity to invite every eligible gentleman to give their daughter, Sarah Kamins, a chance to impress them.
Unfortunately, the party would ensure Brianna met the Marquis of Stonemede. Not only would this give her mother the long-awaited introduction, but Brianna would officially become a prospect for him. Her friend Jillian had been in attendance at almost every event where the marquis was present, and both she and Brianna were baffled by his lack of preference for any particular lady. Knowing he had dismissed a significant amount of others increased Brianna's chances of being the unlucky one to catch his eye.
The positive aspect of the evening was the potential of seeing Richard. Even without a title, what she knew his holdings alone should have guaranteed him an invitation. Thinking of him reminded her of his promise to kiss her upon their next meeting, and she intended to hold him to that. Although the dinner party tonight was not conducive to private conversations, she held onto the confidence that he would be able to arrange it to her advantage.
With her hair completed, her excitement won out and her anxiousness to leave increased. Hoping the marquis would dismiss her as he had everyone else, she met her mother in the drawing room with a smile on her face.
"Brianna, before we leave, I wish to have a word with you," her mother said.
"Certainly." Brianna sat on the nearest chair. No good ever came from these private talks, so she had trouble keeping her jittery hands still. Her mother, standing above her, provided a very imposing figure.
"As you are aware, we have had unfortunate luck procuring an introduction to the Marquis of Stonemede." She took a seat beside Brianna.
"I imagine he shall be in attendance tonight, so our luck will change." Brianna knew it would change her luck-for the worse.
"I had hoped such as well. However, I discovered he has declined the invitation. Bernadette Kamins expressed her displeasure to me several days ago regarding his rejection."
"That is unfortunate." Brianna feigned disappointment although she nearly jumped up from her chair in elation. Her excitement for the upcoming event only increased as time passed.
"Yes, but due to our inability to obtain a chance meeting, I have made an arrangement for us," her mother explained, beaming at her. Brianna tried hard to conceal the emotions coursing through her body as her joy vanished. "I have written to his mother, Adora Carrack, and she agreed to host a small gathering of close friends, which the marquis will attend. Being at Stonemede with him will make it impossible for him to evade us."
Her mother's brilliant smile made Brianna's heart sink. She had underestimated her mother's determination to put her and the marquis together. Brianna hoped the other ladies invited to Stonemede were not the ones he had already dismissed. Surely his mother would already be privy to the information of who was acceptable and who was not.
The knowledge that the marquis' mother was still alive disproved her assumption that he was well advanced in years. The new information didn't change any of her opinions, so his age remained irrelevant.
"When will the gathering take place?" Brianna kept her voice as buoyant as possible.
"This upcoming weekend, and Adora has offered us rooms to stay the night. I don't know if any of the other guests have been offered such accommodations."
"How did you manage to receive such deference?"
"Years ago, Adora was quite a sensation in London, and due to our high ranks, we were in constant contact. In addition, it was my idea she invite friends over for a visit during her time of mourning."
"You are very clever, Mother." Brianna was unsure if she should feel concerned or impressed by the thought spent on coordinating such a plan.
Her mother blushed at the compliment, while shrugging it away. "I must say, the new governess has worked a miracle with you. I never imagined you and I could be in such agreement regarding whom you shall marry."
Brianna shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Lately she had been playing the part of obedient daughter in order to ease her mother's watchful eye. The charade made it easier for her to slip away to see Richard or steal a dance with Mr. Gregory. After seeing her mother's happiness at her apparent transformation, Brianna felt guilty. Pushing the feeling aside, she smiled at her mother, knowing that in regard to her future, she would have to do whatever necessary to obtain her dream.