His Perfect Bride(15)

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.