Page 28 of The Matchmaker Meets her Duke
Like Lady Harriet and her five daughters. The poor woman had been trying to find matches for them Season after Season, and Pandora was doing her best to find them matches that would see the family through another winter. The first daughter had married an Earl, not a bad match in theory, but the man was awful with money, and barely able to support his wife’s family.
Pandora moved deeper into the ballroom, grasping hands and exchanging smiles as she moved through the room. Let her be seen, let it be known that she wasn’t an absent hostess. She eventually found Edward in his study, smoking a cigar with a group of the fathers who had been dragged along to this ball by their wives.
“Aha! I’ve found you,” said Pandora from the doorway.
Edward flushed and straightened. “Pandora! We were just talking about you!”
Pandora wrinkled her nose. “Nothing good, I’m assuming.”
“Oh, I would never disparage my sister. Not in front of company,” he said the last with a wink, drawing a laugh from the smoking Lords. “No, we were just talking about your fortuitous match to the Duke of Willcrow.”
“Yes, the luckiest match. My husband surprises me daily. But I won’t bore you with the details of married life. A word, dear brother?” Edward rolled his eyes, earning another laugh, and met Pandora in the hallway. She walked him away from the study before speaking.
“Did I miss anything at the ball? And what are you doing up here, you are supposed to be downstairs, watching the guests!”
Edward shrugged. “If I stay down with that flock of vultures I’ll find myself married to some spinster before I can say anything. They are ruthless.”
“They have to be! If they are vultures, then the rakes of the world are wolves, waiting to pick the weak from the herd. You are supposed to keep an eye out to make sure things run smoothly.”
“They are, they are! I told the servants to let me know if there is any fuss, and they haven’t said boo.”
Pandora clenched and unclenched her fists and took a deep breath. “No matter, I am here now. Though I can’t stay long, I’m sure Emmett will be looking for me.”
Edward grinned. “Ah yes, your beloved husband. You two seem to be quite cozy these days.”
Pandora flushed. “I would hardly call us friends, let alone lo—anything else. We have come to an understanding, that’s all.”
“Hm, I’m sure. Does he know that? He certainly looked at you with fondness.”
“Emmett, fond? I hardly think so. The man is… I don’t know how to describe him. But I can assure you, there is no love lost between us.”
Edward waggled his eyebrows. “And doyouknow that? You say his name like a caress like he is your savior, and—ow!” He flinched as Pandora punched him in the upper arm. “See! You resort to violence to defend your husband, it’s true! Hey now!” Edward held his hands up in surrender as Pandora raised her fist again. “Let there be peace between us. We’ll go down to your guests, tie some poor bastards up in marriage, and you can run back to your husband. Does that sound good?”
Pandora sighed and allowed her brother to hook her arm through his. “Let’s get this night over with, I can feel a headache coming on.”
* * *
Edward was on his best behavior, dancing with the wallflowers and chatting with the reluctant Lords. He even danced with Lady Lilian, well-known as being utterly desperate for a husband. How he managed to disentangle himself from her claws, she’d never know.
With reluctance she allowed herself to be handed back up into her coach. Going back to Willcrow Manor didn’t sound inviting after the warmth and laughter of Ravenswood Manor, but there was no other choice. She had to make an appearance before the night was finished. Not to mention Emmett. She hadn’t counted on her husband keeping such a close eye on her. At least she had the coach ride back to think of her excuses.
By the time the coach rumbled up the drive, she had settled on a headache. She had been up in her room, where it was quiet and dark, waiting for it to recede. With a smile, she snuck in through the garden and back into the heat of the ballroom. The room was a little thinner, some guests have gone home early, but the majority were still there. Pandora took a deep breath before diving into the fray.
Lady Brexley caught her eye, and Pandora slowed with another smile.
“Lady Brexley, are you enjoying the evening?” asked Pandora.
The Dowager Viscountess sniffed. “As much as I can, I suppose. That Agatha has been spreading more rumors about me, I see.”
“Ah,” said Pandora. “Her Grace is certainly opinionated, I’ll say that much.”
“This silly feud is all her fault, I’ll have you know. Why she thinks I took her horse, I’ll never know.”
Pandora suppressed a smile. “She did mention something about a horse, now that I think of it.”
“And what about you? There are rumors about you, certainly. Such a swift rise in station, not to mention the other rumors surrounding you.”
Pandora’s back stiffened. “My marriage—“
