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He knew he must reform. He had promised himself many times, since he had read his father’s last letter. But he didn’t want to think again today. Not about the beautiful lady, who had so bewitched him, nor the man who had reared up like a hideous ghost from his past. No, all he wanted was oblivion in the form of several rounds of cards, good port, and perhaps even another courtesan. The club often opened its doors to a few. Discreetly, of course.
He was going to lay both the beautiful lady and Cardigan to rest. And reform be damned, until tomorrow.
* * *
Lady Hunter was pressing flowers into a heavy book when Patricia entered the parlour, taking off her gloves. Her mother raised her head, closing her book, smiling warmly at her.
“Come and sit down, dearest,” she said. “Tell me all about the event. Was Lady Reynolds satisfied that it went well?”
Patricia did as she was told, sitting opposite her mother. She felt so very weary, after the strange events of the morning, and simply wanted to go to her chambers to think. But she knew that her mother would not be satisfied until she had a full account of it.
After she gave a rundown of the orphanage event, her mother turned expectant eyes upon her. “And did you converse with any gentlemen, my dear? Anyeligiblegentlemen?”
Patricia’s face tightened. “Yes, Mama. Two of them.” She paused, hesitating. It was so very distasteful. It was like she was about to describe the various merits of stallions at a horse auction. “The Duke of Merriweather and Lord Cardigan.”
Her mother looked gratified. “Well, that is very good news! The Duke of Merriweather is very wealthy, Patricia. It would be good to play your cards well with him, even if he does have that terrible scar upon his face.” She paused. “But a facial deformity can be overlooked, of course. There are more important things in life, and you cannot afford to be fussy any longer…”
Patricia felt a flash of fiery anger. “The Duke is so much more than his scar, Mama. He seems a good man.”
Lady Hunter laughed easily. “Oh, I think he is, dearest. He has run a little wild since he returned from war, to be sure, but what man does not? And he has suffered much. That scar must have made him a little bitter, one would think, but still, I do believe he is a good man at heart.”
Patricia nodded. She had thought as much. The Duke just had an air about him, which she could not quite put her finger upon. And after a while, she barely noticed his scar. But he had not asked to call upon her.
Her mother’s laugh trilled into the air once more. “Yes, the Duke would be a good suitor indeed. A cut above the others. He has title, wealth, and estates.” She paused, sobering a little. “You know as well as I do what must be done. For your sister’s sake, as well as your own.”
Patricia looked away, suddenly deeply uncomfortable. How was it that her dear mother who had so sincerely wanted her to obtain a love match, had suddenly turned into a mercenary mother? But then, she reflected sadly, her mother had as little choice in the matter as she did. None of them had any choice anymore.
“And Lord Cardigan, as well,” continued her mother, frowning slightly. “I must admit, even though he is very wealthy and handsome, I am not so comfortable with him as a suitor. He has a reputation for ruthlessness in business matters.” She hesitated. “But we cannot be choosy, after all.”
“He said that he may call,” said Patricia, gazing back at her mother, “on Thursday.” She felt like her heart had suddenly turned into stone. How she hated this. How she hated everything about it.
Her mother sighed. “Well, that is good news. Although I still think I prefer the Duke as a suitor for you, dearest. Scar or no scar.”
As if I am a performing monkey, thought Patricia darkly. Trained to clap cymbals on demand.
But she didn’t say another word. She simply smiled wanly at her mother before leaving the room and climbing wearily up the staircase towards her chambers.
She knew she should feel as satisfied as her mother about the morning. But inexplicably, as she lay down upon her bed, she wished it had been the scarred Duke who had asked to call upon her, rather than the blandly handsome baronet.
