“Oh?”
“Yes, and as a most particular favor, I need Lucy to be otherwise employed this evening. She is far too distractive, and I need the focus to be on your sisters—and in particular with regard to Mr. Goodwin. I am to have a word with him before, and I expect he will find it to his advantage to make an offer of marriage this very evening.”
“Bribery?”
“George, do not be so crass. But I can be most persuasive.”
“And have you spoken to Lucy about this request?”
“That is where I wish you to intercede for me. She will listen to you, while she will be in open rebellion if I were to ask.”
George sighed. “Very well, then. But if Lucy is not to attend, I also shall not be able to attend.”
Her Grace pursed her lips and took a last sip of tea. “Why must you be so contrary, George?”
“Because you continue to act so maliciously toward her.”
“I had particularly hoped you would spend some time with Miss Priscilla this evening. She is so charming and the very model of a future Duchess. Surely, you can please me just this once?”
“Mother, there is never pleasing you just once. You never cease to amaze me at how blind and insensitive you can be to my wishes.”
“Oh, George, all I ever do is think about what is best for you.”
“No, Mother, you think about what is best foryou.”
“How can you be so ungrateful?” she said, shaking out her napkin again and dabbing at her eyes. “Very well, if the only way to get you to attend the dinner is to have Miss Lucy in attendance, so be it. But she shall be placed at the far end of the table, and Miss Priscilla shall be placed to your right. And as for Mr. Goodwin, I shall take care of him before Miss Lucy presents herself.”
* * *
As the guests were arriving before dinner, Stevens took Mr. Goodwin aside when he and his sister arrived.
“Sir, her Grace would like a private word with you.”
“Very well,” Beaumont said as he removed his hat and gloves and handed them to Stevens.
“You will find her in the library. This way, if you please?”
Stevens took Mr. Goodwin to the library and ushered him inside.
“Over here,” the Duchess called out from an alcove filled with shelves of books.
“Your Grace, you wished to have a word with me?” he said as he approached her where she was standing, holding a book.
“Yes. And not to beat around the bush, I have a proposition for you.”
This took Beaumont by surprise, and he could not help but chuckle. “What did you have in mind, Your Grace?”
The Duchess put the book away, left the alcove, and came over and took Mr. Goodwin by the arm.
“You have always seemed to be a very sensible young man to me. Pragmatic, I should say.”
“I believe that is accurate.”
“Good. Then let us sit for a few moments and let me outline what is going to happen this evening.”
They sat opposite each other in comfortable chairs.
“There is a glass of sherry at your elbow, Mr. Goodwin. Please make yourself comfortable.”
