Lady Be Reckless (Duke's Daughters #2)(13)

Edward felt his throat choke with tears, tears he couldn’t spill in front of his father. It would only upset him, and Edward never wanted to upset his father. His own birth had done enough of that.

Instead, he spoke. “Yes, I’ll marry, if that is your wish.”

Even though it was not what he wanted, not at all. And, he knew, it would be difficult to accomplish. But he would since it was what his father wanted, and he didn’t know how much time he would have to get it done. At least, he’d need to find someone suitable who would also agree to marry him within three months.

This would be far harder than his usual type of hunt. But it was one where he needed to succeed.

He just needed to assemble his hounds—namely his charm, his looks, and most important, his bank balance—and chase his fox, a lady who would accept his proposal despite who he was.



“You look terrible.”

Well, at least Edward knew he wouldn’t have to find a way to introduce the topic. It seemed it was written on his face.

“Thank you.” Edward gave his cloak and hat to the Raybourns’ butler, then followed Bennett down the hallway to the Marquis of Wheatley’s study, the room where Bennett conducted most of his business.

“Is your father never home?” Edward inquired, momentarily putting aside his worry for his own father.

Bennett’s lips twisted into a grimace. “Not often, no.”

The way his friend clamped his mouth together told Edward he wouldn’t get any more information than that. One of these days—on a day when he wasn’t reeling from the news his father only had a few months to live—he would pry deeper into Bennett’s relationship with the marquis.

“Sit down,” Bennett said, gesturing to the small sofa that was placed in front of the fireplace. Edward sat, stretching his legs out in front of him. The warmth of the fire felt good. Bennett sat in a chair next to the sofa, his elbows on his thighs, his expression focused and intent.

“What happened?”

Edward shook his head slowly. “My father, he was waiting up for me last night.”

Bennett nodded.

“And he told me he’s ill. He says he only has a short amount of time left. Three months? A year?” Edward swallowed against the lump in his throat. “And he wants me to get married before he goes.”

“I am so sorry, Edward,” Bennett said. “For your father’s news, not your marriage plans.”

Edward couldn’t help but laugh, grateful that his friend would know how to cheer him up. “Thank you.”

The two of them sat silent, Edward’s mind churning through all the possibilities—what if the doctor was wrong? Could he convince his father to leave London? He would be far more comfortable at home, Edward knew, but then Edward would have far fewer options for a bride. Which is to say none.

“How can I help?” Bennett asked after a few minutes.

Edward smiled. “Just being able to talk to you is helping. Thank you. And if you happen to know of any young ladies who might possibly wish to marry the illegitimate son of a merchant? Well, perhaps you could share their names.” He paused, then raised an eyebrow at his friend. “If only I could find a lady like Lady Olivia to propose to me, I wouldn’t have to do any of the hard work.”

Bennett emitted a short laugh, even though he winced. “Lady Olivia is very certain about things.”

“It must be so difficult being as irresistible as you are,” Edward replied in a dry tone.

Bennett laughed, then his expression changed. It was one Edward had seen many times before, and usually it meant that Edward was about to get in trouble. And then Bennett would feel terrible. But not before a wrong was righted.

He hadn’t seen it in years, however.

“I am thinking,” Bennett began, “perhaps you could distract Lady Olivia?”

“With what, my birth?” Edward spoke more roughly than he’d intended; the lady’s blurted-out insult still smarted.

“Ouch, no.” Bennett paused, then shook his head. “No, it probably won’t work.”

“What won’t?” Now he had to know precisely what his friend was thinking.

“Your getting to know Olivia. Perhaps being able to gently suggest she look elsewhere for a husband.”

“You have no interest in her, then?” Edward couldn’t keep the skepticism from his tone; after all, he’d seen the lady, all the vibrating intensity of her. She was lovely, and she seemed eminently suitable to marry Bennett.

“I do not.” Bennett spoke with a finality that emphasized his statement. “But I do not wish her to be hurt.”

“Of course you don’t,” Edward interjected.

“And you’re charming, when you want to be. You could get to know her.”

“If she would allow it,” Edward retorted.

“If presented the right way, she will take it as a challenge.”

He already knew Bennett was right about that; her words at the ball were proof. The lady seemed to live for challenges, undeterred by anything that might stand in her way.

Which made him concerned for Bennett, but he knew his friend could take care of himself.

“Fine. I’ll do it.”

Distracting Lady Olivia would also be a good distraction from his worry for his father. And if he could help his friend as his friend had helped him for so many years?