Cathy Maxwell - Four Dukes and a Devil

B ut what about love?" Miss Susan Rogers had anticipated Lady Theresa Alberths question. It was the mental inclination of young women nowadays. She understood because shed also once believed love was the only true concern when it came to marriage. But now, at six-and-twenty and firmly established as a spinster, she knew differently.

Lady Theresa was Lord and Lady Alberths only child. They sat on chairs next to their daughter and turned to Susan as if they, too, needed an answer.

Susan set her cup and saucer on the side table next to her chair. She knew her role. It was to convince Lady Theresa to obey her parents wishes.

Love is important, Susan agreed, very certain of herself and her message. After all, shed given this lecture numerous times over just the last week as anxious parents with willful daughters had sought out her services. But is it more important than compatibility? Than security? You will have children someday, Lady Theresa. What do you hope for them?

A small frown line appeared between Lady Theresas brows.

Im not going to tell you, Susan continued, that it is as easy to love a wealthy man as it is a poor one. Or that you have obligations to your family line. Im certain your parents have already told you all that.

Lady Theresa nodded, her expression tense. Lady Alberth had confided in Susan earlier that their daughter believed herself in love with their land stewards son, a Mr. Gerald Grover. They were hiring Susan to convince her differently. They wanted a good family for their daughter, and a title.

What they say is true, Susan said matter-of-factly. However, that doesnt change how one feels when one is in love.

Yes, Lady Theresa agreed, half-sobbing the word.

Susan leaned forward, reaching for Lady Theresas hand. The girl gave it to her. Im going to advise you to remember that love must be tested. It can be a liar, a thief.

Lady Theresa shook her head, but Susan pressed on. Let me tell you my story. I was once in love. I would have willingly sacrificed everything for him. He said he loved me, too, and we were to marry. One week before the wedding, both of my parents died in a coaching accident.

Oh, dear, Lady Alberth said. Her husbands expression had gone grim. Lady Theresa listened, that frown between her brows deepening as she placed herself in Susans position.

My two younger sisters and I were alone, Susan said. The estate went to a cousin, who did not want the responsibility of us. My betrothed had told me he loved me. It was only natural I turned to him in this difficult situation. He said everything would be fine, but on the day of our wedding, he didnt appear for the ceremony.

You were left at the altar? Lady Alberth asked.

Susan nodded. Publicly humiliated. The words no longer embarrassed her. Shed said them too oftento other girlsin front of other parents. You see, my gentleman had been informed an hour before we were to be wed that my cousin refused to pay my dowry. He had other plans for the money. She gave Lady Theresas hand a squeeze. Dont be foolish as I was. Is it so much for your parents to ask you to participate in one Season? Is your love so fragile it would not survive a few parties, a couple of balls?

Lady Theresa looked to her parents. Does that mean I may marry Gerald if I go through a Season?

The lad is unsuitable her father started.

You must follow my guidelines, Susan said, directing her comment to Lady Theresa but boldly cutting her father off. No good came from arguing with a young woman who thought she was in love.

To his credit, Lord Alberth shut up.

If you believe in love, then this young manwhat is his name?

Gerald, Lady Theresa said.

If Gerald is the one, nothing will sway your love for him, but you will be certain, Susan assured her. There is much at stake. Im certain you wish to please your parents. And you dont want to look back in life and wish youd had the fun and excitement of at least one Season. Just one.

Lady Theresa nodded solemnly. The frown line was still there.

Susan smiled. So, will you join me? Just for this Season?

Again, Lady Theresa nodded.

You will enjoy yourself immensely, Susan promised.

I shall endeavor to try, she said, directing her vow toward her anxious parents. I will.

Thats all we can ask, kitten, her father said.

Lady Theresa stood. If you will excuse me?

Her parents nodded. Lady Theresa gave a graceful nod to Susan and left the room.

Well done, Lord Alberth said, when his daughter was out of earshot. Weve been attempting to bring her to this conclusion for weeks.

She is very much in love, Susan observed.

They all are at this age, Lady Alberth said. I blame myself for not having been more vigilant over her when she was around Gerald Grover.

They played together as children, her husband said dismissively. You couldnt have seen it coming. After all, we thought wed raised her better than this.

Is Mr. Grover a bad sort? Susan asked.

No, he isnt. But hes not suitable, Lord Alberth said, and that was that. He changed the subject. You handled her very well, Miss Rogers. And you come to us highly recommended. However, I do have a concern about your fee.

My fee is not negotiable, my lord. Over the past four years, I have seen not only to the marriages of my sisters to respected, highly placed men She did not need to add the word wealthy. It was assumed. But also the marriages of several of your peers daughters. Lady Theresa is not the first girl to be in love with an unsuitable man at the beginning of the Season and wed to a suitable man by the conclusion of it. With my guidance, of course.

Of course, Lord Alberth said, still sounding unconvinced.

And Miss Rogers knows a great deal, my lord, Lady Alberth chimed in, that not even we know. Matters I wouldnt have thought of.

Such as? he asked.

Lady Alberth shot Susan a bright smile. Tell him about the Irish Duke.

The Irish Duke was turning out to be a very fine selling point for Susans services. It exhibited her complete knowledge of the Rules of Society. Several weeks ago shed discovered an odd bit in the Order of Precedence, the list that determined ceremonial importance for the peers of the Realm.

She now explained to Lord Alberth. You would be pleased if your daughter married a duke.

Very pleased.

But what if I told you not all dukes are the same? For example, in the Order of Precedence, the Irish Duke will always be at the end of the line.

Lord Alberth frowned. He had the same frown line between his brow as his daughter.

For state dinners, Susan assured him, the Irish Duke and his duchess will sit at the foot of the table if there is no one but dukes in attendance. They will be the last to enter to pay their addresses to the King and the last to be admitted to any ceremonial function. Is that what you wish for your daughter, my lord? To be last?

Of course not.

I thought not, Susan agreed. And that is where my services are most appreciated. I will steer your daughter away from the Irish Duke. I will keep her safe from his attentions. She didnt add that there were only two Irish dukes in the world and both safely tucked away in Ireland. Besides, ones title had been attainted for plotting rebellion and the other was so old, a wife would have been useless to him.