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“That is terrible, indeed. He must be a strong man to have overcome such hardship.”

“The Duke is a kind man. He and I work together frequently in the House of Lords and I enjoy his company whenever I am in London. I dare say, you will find him amenable. And perhaps his daughters, too.”

“Well, with two daughters my chances of finding love are double. I might find it yet, I declare.”

His father’s eyes narrowed then in an expression Kenneth knew well. It was the kind that meant there was something his father was mulling over, something he wasn’t sure he wanted to say.

“What is it, Papa?”

He licked his lips then and leaned forward. “I suppose I ought to tell you the truth about the daughters before they arrive. To avoid any…surprises.”

Kenneth frowned then. Surprises? What in the world was he talking about? He tilted his head to one side, eager to hear what his father had to say, but they were interrupted by a shriek coming from the hall. A moment later, his mother came back into view. Her eyes were wide and her face pale as though she’d seen a ghost.

“This is a disaster. A disaster!”

“What is it?” He jumped up and walked toward her, but his mother turned and rushed out of the hall.

“Look!” She stopped and pointed at the window. Kenneth looked at where she’d pointed, and his mouth dropped open. A disaster it would be, indeed.

Chapter 3

She sat in the carriage, leaning her head against the side as they traveled toward Goldclaw Manor. It was even grander than their own palatial home, built in the Tudor style with steeply pitched gable roofs, breathtaking masonry, and an exposed framework with spaces filled with stucco. The architecture was one of her major interests and she could tell with fair accuracy when each house she encountered was built.

I suppose when one does not get the chance to go to balls and the opera and such, one has more time to develop other interests. Sometimes, however, I wish I didn’t have quite so much time. It would be nice to be a busy Lady of the ton who is whisked from ball to ball.

“My, look at the lake. Ruth, isn’t that grand? You will have a lovely place to walk there.”

She peeked at where her father was pointing.

There was a large lake to the right with water lilies floating on it and a pair of swans making their rounds alongside. Ducks and other birds also populated the lake and its surroundings, while a large walking path framed the lakeside. It would be pleasant to walk there for sure, but it was nothing like the rolling hills of Shropshire she so longed for.

“A lake? What do I want with a lake? Papa, I thought this is Portsmouth, so where is the sea? I want to go to the sea.”

“You will get to your beloved sea, Sophia. Don’t forget, the doctor said the air here will do you good.”

Sophia looked at Ruth and rolled her eyes. While the terrible cold she’d caught had forced her confinement for two whole weeks, she was quite recovered, although their father could not stop worrying about both of them. While Ruth found it loving, Sophia often felt smothered by his attention.

“I know, Papa. I am eager to see it.”

“You act as though you’ve never been to the seaside,” Ruth said.

“And you as though you’ve never seen a hill.”

“Girls, please.” Their father’s tone was becoming strained and both girls fell quiet for a number of minutes. When they spoke again, it was Sophia who provided the topic of conversation.

“I cannot wait to meet the Marquess. I heard he is rather handsome. Perhaps he looks like a true prince.”

“It is not all about how someone looks. Should it not be about his personality as well?”

Sophia frowned. “Of course, it is. But I have not been able to find out anything about his character, as nobody has had occasion to converse with him much, it seems. It is rather peculiar. It seems many of my friends know the Marquess from the London Season and have danced with him, but nobody seems to know him very well.”

Ruth licked her lips, considering if she really wanted to discuss the man. She knew already that while they were both supposed to meet him, it was Sophia who was meant for a possible marriage. She already knew she’d been looked at as the unfortunate sister, the one who would be pitied and whispered about. This happened whenever they went anywhere for a visit and she knew this time it would be no different.

However, despite her lack of interest in the man himself, she realized that her sister was eager to meet him, and in her mind was already picturing their wedding day.

“I think I know why he is so difficult to get a report on. While he enjoys a dance, he does not care to entertain ladies otherwise, as he doesn’t look to marry.”

Both her sister and her father looked at her then. “How do you know this?” Sophia asked.