Bound by Bliss (Bound and Determined #2)(2)
Lady Perse’s lips grew thin. “I think that is all the answer I need. You do not deny that you have ever met the man or know who he is?”
Ruby said nothing. It was too late to pretend ignorance, not that it would have been believable if she had.
“I was afraid that was the case. The rumors I’ve heard must be true. The boy is over thirty and needs a wife. This makes the business most difficult. My expertise is not great in such matters.”
“Even if Lord Duldon were…to be a man of certain tastes, these matters usually do not influence marriage. I believe that most men, most lords, know how to separate entertainment from duty.”
“Duldon does not seem to. It’s far past the time he should have taken care of an heir. He’s the last of the line and—”
“I am sure that—”
“Well, I am not,” Lady Perse cut her off. “And besides I do want the boy to be happy. I don’t want him to have to separate his life into pieces. If he likes certain things surely he would be happier if his wife could provide them. I do not like to think of men straying after their vows are said.”
Now that was an unusual view. “You mean men like my father.” Ruby raised her eyes and stared straight at Lady Perse.
Lady Perse met the stare and did not blink. “Yes, my brother would have been far better off had he married for something other than land and lineage. Duldon has spoken of marrying some chit—Bliss Danser, if rumor is correct—for land as well. I will not have it. I will do all I can to prevent such a match. The girl may be perfectly acceptable, but I want something more for him, someone who stirs his passions, not some sweet innocent.”
Ruby tried hard to concentrate on the continuing words, distracted by the fact that Lady Perse had subtly agreed that Ruby’s father and Lady Perse’s brother were one and the same. She shook her head, feeling her heavy red wig shift upon her scalp, forcing herself to the matter at hand. “So what do you want me to do? If he wishes to marry her he must find her pleasing,” she said, trying to remember all she had heard of Lady Bliss. Hadn’t she even seen the girl once? She’d been involved in the adventures of Swanston and Lady Brookingston. She was Swanston’s sister, but hadn’t she been in the company of the Countess Ormande? If that was true then…The Countess had been a woman of very particular and not particularly nice tastes herself. Ruby had needed to bar her from the house when she’d begun to play with unwilling partners—and that was before Swanston had forced her to exile in Scotland with her dour husband. If Lady Bliss had been often in the Countess’s company it was unlikely she was as innocent as Lady Perse believed. Ruby could look into that, find out what the truth about the girl was.
Lady Perse lifted her head and locked glances with Ruby. “I want you to help me find Duldon a wife. I want you to decide which young lady will suit his tastes—and needs. I want him to have a wife who will suit his every need, whatever those needs may be.”
Chapter One
Lady Bliss Danser, second daughter of the Duke of Mirth, stared across the ballroom, her eyes fixed on the smiling blonde. The girl bounced up on her tiptoes, curls bobbing and the sunset ruffles of her skirt dancing. Her whole being radiated joy and happiness.
Bliss bit down on her lower lip. Hard. Her sharp incisors cut into the delicate skin, the pain holding her in the moment as it always did, keeping her firmly in the present. It was wrong to be miserable at another’s jubilation, but it was impossible to feel pleasure as the stones filling her belly multiplied. If Miss Amy Samson had received an invitation that meant there was one less to go around, one less chance at salvation.
Not that the invitation offered salvation exactly. More likely it led to a lesser ring of hell.
“Do you have yours yet? Do you have yours yet?” The soft, breathy voice floated over Bliss’s shoulder, disrupting her thoughts.
Pulling in a deep puff of air, Bliss forced the corners of her mouth up and relaxed the tension in her brow. “My what?” She turned to face her dearest friend, Angela. It was important that not even Angela realized the extent of her inner turmoil.
“Oh, don’t you pretend with me, Miss Danser. You know exactly what I mean.” Angela tried to sound cross, but her smile could not be kept down. Her dark pink cheeks glistened under her crown of ebony locks, her black eyes flashing.
Bliss pushed her own cheeks higher, hoping the strain did not show. “Lady Perse’s tea invitation? But why would I be wanting one of those? You know I’ve no interest in marriage.” Oh, if only that were true. If only the events of the past month had not forced her hand.
“You don’t fool me, Bliss. I saw you watching Miss Samson. There was no mistaking the look of desire upon your face. The more you smile, the more I see your disappointment.”
Blast. Angela knew her far too well. “I was just amazed at how happy she looked. She’s never still, but I’ve never before seen her quivering with emotion. I am surprised all the crystal within ten feet of her didn’t shatter.”
“You’re the only one I know who can accomplish that feat.” Angela wrinkled her nose.
“It was only once and you know very well it was because I’d tried to sew coins onto my dress so I’d look like a gypsy dancer. I never imagined that they’d all go flying off when I twirled. Can I help it if I like to twirl—and that I am a lousy seamstress?”