“He’s been trying to pay court to a dragon,” Owen muttered.
“I won’t have you insulting the chit, Owen. Now, listen here—”
“If it’s a match with the duke’s family you want so dearly, Father, why can’t I court Lady Alexandra Hobbs instead? She’s Lady Lavinia’s younger sister.”
His father’s eyes widened, and his face quickly turned a mottled shade of red. “Lady Alexandra—Why, that’s preposterous! Is the girl even wearing long skirts yet? It’s Lady Lavinia whom the duke wants you to marry, and it’s Lady Lavinia you shall marry.”
“I don’t see why he’s so set on it. She’s a horror.”
“You’re not exactly the most brilliant catch yourself. You should be honored the duke will accept you, what with your tarnished reputation.”
“Not to mention my ignominious matriculation at Harrow.”
His father turned toward the door, completely ignoring Owen’s remark. “The one thing I thought I could count on you to do, Owen, was charm a female.”
That was it. His father had just thrown down the gauntlet. There was no way Owen wasn’t going to scoop it right up.
“Fine. Don’t worry. I have everything perfectly in control. I have … help.”
His father’s bushy eyebrows arched. “Help? What sort of help?”
“I’ve enlisted the aid of someone quite close to Lady Lavinia to give me the details on her likes and dislikes. I’ll redouble my efforts to woo her in the span of a fortnight.”
His father narrowed his eyes on him but looked a bit mollified. “Very well. See that you do, Owen. We’re all counting on you. Don’t fail me. For once.”
* * *
The door to Brooks’s swung open, and Owen was welcomed by a bowing footman. “My lord,” the man intoned as Owen handed him his hat. Owen glanced around. The club was busy for a Wednesday afternoon.
“Have you seen the Duke of Claringdon? Or the Earl of Swifdon?” Owen asked.
“I believe they’re in the blue drawing room, my lord,” the footman answered.
Owen went directly there. He found Claringdon, Swifdon, Cavendish, and a man who looked exactly like … Cavendish. The four men were talking, laughing, and drinking brandy.
“Monroe, there you are,” Swifdon said, standing to clap Owen on the back. He gestured to a seat next to them. “Join us.”
“Good to see you, Claringdon.” Owen slumped into a nearby leather chair. “I must say I’m a bit surprised to see you here again, Cavendish. Let alone two of you.”
“Have you met my twin brother, Cade?” Cavendish flourished a hand in his brother’s direction.
“I don’t believe I have.” Owen shook hands with the captain’s twin.
“Always a pleasure to meet another blue blood,” Cade replied. Owen noticed that the captain winced. He didn’t know much about Rafferty Cavendish’s twin, other than the fact that Cade had recently returned from years of being at sea. Apparently, until his return, Cavendish had believed Cade to be dead.
“The pleasure is mine,” Owen said, settling back into his chair.
“How is your engagement proceeding?” Claringdon asked. He stopped a footman to order a brandy for Owen.
“As you all already told me, the lady is … difficult.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Swifdon said. “Can’t you just tell her your parents want the match and be done with it?”
Owen sat back in his chair and rested his arm over his head. “I wish I could. It’s more complicated than that.”
“How?” Swifdon asked.
“First of all, the duke insists that his daughter fall in love with me.”
Claringdon winced. “That’s not easy.”
“No it is not, and with this particular lady, it’s even more difficult than usual. She has the personality of an angry she-cat.”
“And?” Cavendish prodded.
“There’s something else?” Swifdon asked.
“There’s always something else,” Cavendish said with a grin.
“What else?” Swifdon asked.
Owen took a deep breath. “In the course of trying to court Lady Lavinia, I’ve gotten to know her sister and I find I am much more interested in pursuing her.”
Cavendish’s brows shot up. Claringdon nodded sagely, and Swifdon whistled.
“Good God. That does seem like a pickle,” Swifdon said.
“Have you mentioned this to your father?” Claringdon asked.
“Yes. He insists it’s Lady Lavinia or no one. He’s threatening to cut off my allowance. Apparently, the duke is interested in marrying off his daughters one at a time.”