“I am of the same opinion.” Martin walked over to the door. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have work I need to see to.”
“I wish you luck.”
4
Hannah sat at the writing desk in the drawing room as she wrote to her sister, Amelia. She was pleased that her sister had found love with the duke, but she missed her dreadfully. Perhaps she should recommend that Amelia visit before the end of the Season. It was most unfortunate that Amelia did not enjoy balls or social events, of any kind.
Kate walked in with files in her hand. “We must get to work if we want Martin to find a bride in less than a month.”
“I have no doubt that young women will be lining up for a chance to be courted by him,” Hannah said as she placed the quill down. “He will eventually become the Marquess of Darby.”
“That may be true, but we are trying to find a diamond in the rough.” Kate sat down on the settee. “I’ve sent word for Martin to join us.”
“You’ve been busy,” Hannah muttered.
“I see no reason to dally,” Kate replied, giving her a pointed look. “Do you?”
Hannah rose from the chair at the writing desk and smoothed her jonquil muslin gown. “I do not.”
“Excellent.” Kate placed the files onto the table in front of her. “I have selected two young women who I believe will potentially be excellent contenders for Martin.”
“Only two?”
“We have not spoken to Martin yet,” Kate reminded her. “We do not know what characteristics he is looking for in a bride.”
Hannah came to sit next to her sister on the settee. “I have no doubt he will want her to be beautiful.”
“I agree, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Kate shifted in her seat to face Hannah. “But first, we should discuss what attributes you are looking for in a suitor.”
The image of Martin came to her mind, but she dismissed it just as quickly. “I want someone who will love me above all else.”
“That is what I want for you as well,” Kate said. “But can you be more specific?”
“I want someone who is charming, but his words must be genuine.”
Kate nodded in agreement. “That’s good, because we have no time to entertain rakes, or fortune hunters, for that matter.”
“He must make me laugh.”
“A sense of humor is important.” Kate leaned forward and picked up a file. “I put together a list of gentlemen I believe would be a good fit for you.”
“Without speaking to me first?” Hannah asked in surprise.
Kate smiled. “It was a risk I was willing to take,” she joked as she opened the file. “I believe Lord Blakely, Lord Charles Brooksbank, and Lord Groff would all be a good fit for you.”
“I do not aspire for a title.”
“I am well aware, which is why I selected these gentlemen on their merits rather than titles,” Kate shared.
“That’s good.”
“Furthermore, they are friends with Edward, so he can vouch for their characters.”
“I am acquainted with Lord Blakely and Lord Charles, but I’m afraid I’ve never been introduced to Lord Groff,” Hannah said.
“And what do you think of Lord Blakely?”
“He is handsome enough,” she replied, “but I have only danced one set with him.”
“Lord Blakely is a staunch Tory, and he spends his time managing his vast holdings,” Kate said. “He is more serious in nature, but I have witnessed the jovial side of him.”
Martin’s voice came from the doorway. “Lord Blakely is decisively dull,” he announced.
“That is not true,” Kate declared.
Stepping further into the room, Martin continued. “He would much rather spend his time in the library than attend social gatherings.”
“There is nothing wrong with that,” Hannah defended. “It shows he is well read.”
Martin glanced between them with a curious look on his face. “Why are you both so interested in Lord Blakely?”
Hannah tilted her chin. “If you must know, I have decided I am interested in being courted this Season.”
“You are?” Martin asked.
“I am,” she replied.
Martin frowned. “Aren’t you rather young to be interested in matrimony?”
Hannah’s lips parted in disbelief at his ridiculous remark. “I just turned twenty and have had two Seasons,” she argued.
“You have?”
It was Hannah’s turn to frown. “I see that you have been rather perceptive when it comes to me.”
“I apologize for my poor reaction,” he responded. “It is entirely unfair of me.”
“Thank you.”
Martin came to sit across from them on the settee. “May I ask what gentlemen you have set your cap to?”
“I have yet to decide anything,” Hannah said firmly.
“I see.”
Hannah paused. “Not that it is any of your business, but Kate believes Lord Charles Brooksbank and Lord Groff would also be splendid matches for me.”
Martin nodded. “I would agree,” he replied. “They both appear to be honorable gentlemen.”
“I am pleased to hear that,” Hannah said. “With any luck, I will be wed by the end of the Season.”
Martin looked displeased by her response. “May I ask why the urgency to wed, Hannah?”
Hannah pressed her lips together, then replied, “I have seen how happy my sisters are now that they are wed, and I wish to have the same joy in my own life.”
“You are still young and—” Martin started.
Hannah spoke over him. “I thank you for your concern, but we have more important matters to discuss.”
“Of course,” Martin responded.
“We are here to determine the attributes you are looking for in a wife,” Hannah said.
Martin held her gaze for a long moment, his eyes holding questions. “I am looking for the usual attributes, I suppose.”
“Such as?” Hannah pressed.
“I want someone I can fall in love with and look forward to growing old with,” Martin remarked.
Kate spoke up. “Do you have a preference in appearance?”
“I have discovered the most beautiful women are the ones who smile the most,” he said. “I also would like for my bride to be clever and quick-witted.”
“Are you looking for a bluestocking, then?” Hannah asked.
Martin shrugged. “I am not opposed to a bluestocking.”
Hannah
