Read Online The Third Duke's the Charm by Emma Wildes - Free Book Online
Authors: Emma Wildes
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God.”
“Nor does she giggle. I despise those that do.” The duchess made a moue of distaste.
More mystified than ever but with an edge of amusement, Lucien agreed. “It is not what I look for in a female either, Your Grace. How do you know Vivian so well, if I may ask?”
“Not
so
well,” the older woman admitted. “But a few of her friends have benefited from my patronage, and before this engagement, I admit I’d rather thought to perhaps take her in hand. However, I cannot do better for her than a marquess and ducal heir.”
“I’m flattered,” he said ironically.
“She is actually very attractive despite all the grubbing in the dirt.”
“I have noticed that as well.” He decided to not take exception to the way his unexpected visitor described Vivian’s hobby because he didn’t sense any malice in it.
“Your father has always liked it as well. I have known him for years.”
“He has mentioned you more than once.”
“Plants.” She sniffed. “I don’t see the allure, but there is no harm in it, I suppose.”
“Good in it, actually,” he remarked. “Where would we be without plants?”
“You.” The dowager pointed at him with an emphatic finger and didn’t address that assertion. “Still need me. Or she does.”
Not having been aware he needed her in the first place, Lucien debated a diplomatic reply. “Perhaps you should elaborate, Your Grace.”
“I am sure you’ve noticed how her mother dresses her in those hideous gowns that would be better suited to a grandmother than a beautiful young woman. I can solve that problem with one visit to the modiste. Then let us discuss how your intended frequents corners and hallways at formal events and refuses to dance. If she is going to be a marchioness, and one day a duchess, she needs some assistance in overcoming those foibles.
I
can make her a success in society.”
Whatever he’d expected of his day when he woke this morning, it was not this. He was fairly sure he was staring at his guest in open consternation.
Maybe it
wasn’t
too early for a stiff drink.
“I am not convinced it matters to her to be a success.” The response was carefully phrased and slowly spoken.
“It should.” The duchess leveled a chilly glare his direction. “Not because of your future consequence, and not because of your father, and not because of a thousand other small things, but because the girl has been made miserable for the past four years. There is absolutely no reason that with the right guidance she can’t have what she should have had all along and is embraced by the
ton
, instead of shunned by it. You’ve opened the door by offering your name, so let me do the rest. I intended to help her make a brilliant marriage, but that is now taken care of, so allow me to make her a fashionable marchioness instead.”
“Why?” He had to admit he was mystified.
“Why not?” she challenged. “She should have been a phenomenal triumph her first season. I intend to rectify that immediately. Perhaps you’ve heard how I helped Lillian Bourne recently. If I do say so myself, she is quite happily married.”
Lucien refrained from pointing out he paid very little attention to gossip. “My congratulations, if you are responsible, but—”
“A little hobby of mine. Now then, about your fiancée?”
Not only was he unsure of how Vivian might react, but her mother was a consideration. “Lady Lacrosse is hardly going to let you step in.”
“Let me worry over that.”
“Your Grace, while I appreciate—”
“Don’t be stubborn, Stockton.”
He’d dealt in his lifetime with any number of determined females and recognized defeat when he saw it. Perhaps Vivian would thank him, though he wasn’t sure of that in the least, but at the moment, the easiest course seemed capitulation. Besides, since the dowager was a friend of his father, refusing the offer was difficult.
And the dowager was right. Vivian deserved a stylish gown for her wedding
“Nor does she giggle. I despise those that do.” The duchess made a moue of distaste.
More mystified than ever but with an edge of amusement, Lucien agreed. “It is not what I look for in a female either, Your Grace. How do you know Vivian so well, if I may ask?”
“Not
so
well,” the older woman admitted. “But a few of her friends have benefited from my patronage, and before this engagement, I admit I’d rather thought to perhaps take her in hand. However, I cannot do better for her than a marquess and ducal heir.”
“I’m flattered,” he said ironically.
“She is actually very attractive despite all the grubbing in the dirt.”
“I have noticed that as well.” He decided to not take exception to the way his unexpected visitor described Vivian’s hobby because he didn’t sense any malice in it.
“Your father has always liked it as well. I have known him for years.”
“He has mentioned you more than once.”
“Plants.” She sniffed. “I don’t see the allure, but there is no harm in it, I suppose.”
“Good in it, actually,” he remarked. “Where would we be without plants?”
“You.” The dowager pointed at him with an emphatic finger and didn’t address that assertion. “Still need me. Or she does.”
Not having been aware he needed her in the first place, Lucien debated a diplomatic reply. “Perhaps you should elaborate, Your Grace.”
“I am sure you’ve noticed how her mother dresses her in those hideous gowns that would be better suited to a grandmother than a beautiful young woman. I can solve that problem with one visit to the modiste. Then let us discuss how your intended frequents corners and hallways at formal events and refuses to dance. If she is going to be a marchioness, and one day a duchess, she needs some assistance in overcoming those foibles.
I
can make her a success in society.”
Whatever he’d expected of his day when he woke this morning, it was not this. He was fairly sure he was staring at his guest in open consternation.
Maybe it
wasn’t
too early for a stiff drink.
“I am not convinced it matters to her to be a success.” The response was carefully phrased and slowly spoken.
“It should.” The duchess leveled a chilly glare his direction. “Not because of your future consequence, and not because of your father, and not because of a thousand other small things, but because the girl has been made miserable for the past four years. There is absolutely no reason that with the right guidance she can’t have what she should have had all along and is embraced by the
ton
, instead of shunned by it. You’ve opened the door by offering your name, so let me do the rest. I intended to help her make a brilliant marriage, but that is now taken care of, so allow me to make her a fashionable marchioness instead.”
“Why?” He had to admit he was mystified.
“Why not?” she challenged. “She should have been a phenomenal triumph her first season. I intend to rectify that immediately. Perhaps you’ve heard how I helped Lillian Bourne recently. If I do say so myself, she is quite happily married.”
Lucien refrained from pointing out he paid very little attention to gossip. “My congratulations, if you are responsible, but—”
“A little hobby of mine. Now then, about your fiancée?”
Not only was he unsure of how Vivian might react, but her mother was a consideration. “Lady Lacrosse is hardly going to let you step in.”
“Let me worry over that.”
“Your Grace, while I appreciate—”
“Don’t be stubborn, Stockton.”
He’d dealt in his lifetime with any number of determined females and recognized defeat when he saw it. Perhaps Vivian would thank him, though he wasn’t sure of that in the least, but at the moment, the easiest course seemed capitulation. Besides, since the dowager was a friend of his father, refusing the offer was difficult.
And the dowager was right. Vivian deserved a stylish gown for her wedding
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