Free Three Weeks to Wed by Ella Quinn Page A

discussed. Louisa was to be given time to mature before she wed. “Patience, do you really want her to marry this year?”
    She sat on the chair in front of his desk and sighed. “If she finds someone she loves and who returns her love, then I shall not have any objections. Of course, I would like her to wait another year or so, but, unlike me at her age, she has her own opinions.” Patience’s eyes sparkled softly. “I know you won’t make her wed.”
    He shook his head, remembering all too well the story she had told him about being pushed into marriage before she was truly ready. “No. I shall not.”
    The running and thumping sounded again. “I do wish they would not choose the corridor over my head to play.”
    She glanced up at the ceiling. “Oh, dear. They are not directly over your head, but in the school-room.”
    Two floors up? Matt scrubbed his face with his hand. How did they manage to make so much noise from that distance? “Tell them to get their pelisses, hats, and gloves. I’ll take them to the park. I want two foot . . . no make that three footmen, and Duke may come as well.”
    The massive light brown lump that had been sleeping on the rug in front of the fireplace raised his head.
    Matt grinned. “Would you like that, boy?”
    The Great Dane’s tail thumped lazily on the floor.
    â€œI shall tell them.” Patience rose. “Will you take the town coach?”
    God forbid. “No, they’ll walk. I want them tired out by the time we return.”
    Her eyes lit in amusement. “Indeed.”
    Once she’d gone, Matt turned to regard his garden again before ringing for his coat, hat, gloves, and Duke’s lead.
    By the time he arrived in the hall his sisters were waiting impatiently for him. He fixed them with a gimlet eye. “On our way to the Park, you will each remain next to a footman. Louisa, you shall walk next to me.”
    Smiling, they all nodded. Deceptive little things, his sisters. They’d be trying to break free after a block. But he was ready for them.
    Shortly after they left Berkeley Square, Theodora and Madeline decided to have a race. Matt congratulated himself on his forethought. The two footmen assigned to the girls glanced at him for direction. “Stop them. I do not intend to allow my sisters to be the talk of London. They may run when they reach the play area and not before.”
    By the time he and Louisa caught up to the miscreants, their hands were held firmly by the footmen. When they arrived at the edge of the Park, Matt nodded. “Let them go and stay with them.”
    The girls went running off, laughing. “Don’t tell me it was just the two of them making such a racket?”
    Augusta blushed. “No, I was running with them.”
    â€œYou may do so now as well. Much better to run here than over my head .”
    â€œOh Matt.” Her face scrunched up in distress. “I’m sorry. Did we disturb you very much?”
    â€œNo, not very much.” He smiled at her and chucked her chin. Only enough that I needed to bring you here. “Go play.”
    Augusta grinned. “May Duke come with me?”
    Matt released the Great Dane. “If he’ll go.”
    â€œCome, Duke, come.” Augusta clapped her hands and took off running with Duke loping after her.
    Louisa squeezed his arm. “This was a very good idea, Matt.”
    He glanced down at his sister. She was a beautiful girl. This Season was going to be hell. He finally understood what his friend Harry Marsh went through when Anna came out. “Why thank you. I do have them at times.”
    She smiled up at him, clearly delighted. “Will we see you more now that we are all in Town?”
    He started them ambling toward the other girls. “Yes, I shall be living at Worthington House this Season, and I’ll attend many of the same entertainments as you.” He tapped her nose