Free An Unsuitable Bride by Jane Feather Page B

Stephen found such an accomplished librarian. Did he consult an employment agency, d’you think?”
    “Oh, I wouldn’t know about such things. I make it my business to leave all matters of hiring staff to Baker, and I really don’t know how one goes about finding suitable people.” Lady Douglas waved a hand in dismissal of such an irrelevancy. “But do tell me about your sisters-in-law.”
    She leaned forward slightly, her brown eyes shining with curiosity in her smooth, rather plump, but undeniably pretty face. “Lady Lucas was asking me just the other day, when we passed in our carriages in the village. She was agog to know that we were hosting the Honorable Peregrine Sullivan.” She smiled and nodded encouragingly at Perry.
    “I hardly think I’m worthy of such attention, ma’am,” Perry demurred.
    “You are a Blackwater, Peregrine,” Eliza stated with a degree of satisfaction. “Of course you are.”
    “Indeed, Perry, you’re an exotic in our little backwater,” Marcus put in with a mischievous grin. “Satisfying local curiosity really is a case of noblesse oblige.”
    Peregrine shook his head, half amused, half annoyed. “My sisters-in-law, ma’am, are both beautiful, a credit in every way to themselves and to their husbands.”
    “Are their families well known? I’m always interested in how these matches are made.” Eliza sipped her watered wine. “ ’Tis time Marcus looked for a bride. A little advice might not come amiss.”
    “Ma’am, I have no need of advice on such a matter,” Marcus expostulated, taken aback by his parent’s swift thrust.
    “And indeed, Lady Douglas, I would be ill equipped to provide it,” Perry said, his eyes dancing. “As would my brothers.”
    “Oh, and why would that be?” Eliza looked puzzled.
    “My brothers both made love matches,” Perry said simply. “As I understand it, such unions are made only with celestial intervention.”
    Marcus gave a shout of laughter. “Outplayed, Mama. You must admit it. If the heavens are good enough to drop the perfect love match in my lap, then I shall give up all hopes of a confirmed bachelorhood and welcome love and marriage with open arms.”
    “Oh, you are absurd, both of you,” Eliza declaredcrossly. “ ’Tis a serious matter. I don’t know why you think ’tis so amusing.”
    “Forgive us, Mama.” Marcus leaned over and kissed his mother’s hand. “We are but callow youths. Will you take the air in the barouche this afternoon? I would be delighted to accompany you.”
    Peregrine admired his friend’s masterly handling of his mother. Having barely known his own mother, he found the relationship a mystery. Marcus’s patience was clearly underpinned by affection, and Perry was conscious of a prickle of envy. He and Sebastian had been inseparable growing up, and Jasper had been their mentor, their protector, their inspiration. Their father had died when the twins were barely out of petticoats, and their mother had taken to her own apartments, showing little or no interest in her offspring.
    “Well, a little outing might do me some good,” Eliza was saying, mollified. “Maybe I will take some preserves and some of Mistress Baker’s calves-foot jelly to the vicar’s wife. She’s expecting another child, poor woman. She must have a dozen at least, by now.”
    “Not half as many, Mama,” Marcus said, laughing. “But I will gladly accompany you. What of you, Perry? Will you accompany us, or do you have something else planned for this afternoon?”
    “I have some correspondence to attend to,” Perry said. “If you’ll excuse me.”
    “Of course, dear boy.” Marcus nodded his comprehension. There was no need for his guest to participatein Marcus’s filial duty. “We are bidden to the Abbey for dinner this evening, if you’ve a mind for it.”
    Another evening in the company of the fascinating Mistress Hathaway? Most certainly, he had a mind for it. “I should be delighted.” Perry rose from the