Mastering The Marquess (Bound and Determined #1)(124)
She’d hardly finished the words before Lady Perse stalked into the room. Or, at least, she assumed it was Lady Perse. It was hard to tell beneath the heavy veiling. Lady Brookingston had also come veiled, but her light covering in no way compared to the heavy pile of black draping that confronted Madame Rouge now.
“You know who I am?” The lady spoke without bothering with an introduction.
“Lady Perse, I presume.”
“Good.” Without another word, the woman pulled off her veils and dropped them on the settee, revealing a very narrow figure beneath the most amazing head of hair Madame Rouge had ever seen. It was as if someone had set a very large powder puff upon her head.
What did one say to that? “May I offer you some refreshment?” she said, gesturing to a comfortable chair.
Lady Perse stared at the chair a moment, her nose wrinkling slightly, and then sat on the very edge. “Tea. You do have tea? I am not quite sure what to expect in such a place.”
Taking her own seat, Madame Rouge imitated Lady Perse’s straight posture. “Yes, I have tea. It will be here in a moment.”
Lady Perse pulled a fan from her reticule and vigorously waved it in the air. “Those veils are quite stifling. I will have to be sure my dear Lord Perse lives a long life. I could not bear to wear them daily.”
Madame Rouge merely nodded. “And how may I help you? I assume there is a reason for your call.” There were times when it was best to be direct.
Lady Perse removed her gloves. “I need to talk to you about my nephew.”
“Your nephew? I was not aware you had a nephew.” And Madame knew all about Lady Perse’s relations.
“By marriage. My husband’s sister’s son, Stephan Perth, Lord Duldon.”
Duldon. That explained much. Yes, Madame could understand why there might be questions in regard to Lord Duldon. “And what exactly would you like to know?” she asked.
Lady Perse shut her lips tight for a moment. It was clear she did not wish to say the words she knew she must. She glanced down at her hands for a moment and then raised her eyes to Madame. “I have heard certain rumors about the boy. Rumors I would expect you to know the truth of.”
“I really cannot speak of such things.” And that was true. What a patron did was always held in the highest of confidences. And she certainly could not imagine discussing Duldon’s preferences with Lady Perse.
Lady Perse’s lips grew thin. “I think that is all the answer I need. You do not claim that you have never met the man or know who he is?”
Madame said nothing.
“I was afraid that was the case. The boy is over thirty and needs a wife. This makes the business most difficult. My expertise is not in such matters.”
“Even if Lord Duldon were—were to be a man of certain tastes, these matters usually do not influence marriage. I believe that most men, most lords, know their 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. 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.” Madame Rouge 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.”
Madame Rouge tried hard to concentrate, distracted by the fact that Lady Perse had subtly agreed that Madame’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, and forced herself to the matter at hand. “So what do you want me to do?” she asked, trying to remember all she had heard of Lady Bliss. Hadn’t she even met 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 with the Countess Ormande? If that was true, then …
Lady Perse locked glances with her. “I want you to help me find Duldon a wife. I want you to decide which young lady will suit his tastes—and needs.”
Lady Bliss Danser, daughter of the Duke of Mirth, stared across the ballroom, her eyes locked on the smiling blonde. The girl bounced up on her tiptoes, curls bobbing and ruffles dancing. Her whole being shone with 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. 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.
“Do you have yours yet? Do you have yours yet?” The soft, breathy voice floated over Bliss’s shoulder, disrupting her thoughts.
Pulling a deep breath in, Bliss forced the corners of her mouth up and relaxed the tension in her brow. “My what?” She turned to face her best friend, Angela.