Page 29 of Three Weeks with a Princess
The idea didn’t thrill him, but looking like paupers might scare away wealthy members of the Ton who were potential investors in his mining scheme.
“Your sister will be delighted. Poor Anne has been rusticating for so long, I wonder if she remembers what a proper party looks like.”
“Surely you exaggerate,” Jack said. “Kendall is a very wealthy and generous fellow. And he seems to dote on her, from what I can tell.”
His mother flicked an impatient hand. “Yes, but he’s a country squire, my dear.” Her jaw worked for a moment. “You’re well aware of the hopes we had for your sister when she came out.”
Anne had been considered a diamond of the first water, a beautiful girl with a kind nature and quick wit. By all rights, she should have made a splendid match. Unfortunately, she was virtually lacking a dowry, thanks to the spendthrift ways of her father and uncle.
After three years on the marriage mart, Anne had been verging on spinsterhood. Only Richard Kendall, in London visiting aristocratic relations, had proposed. Since it was clear she’d never receive a better offer, she’d accepted. She’d done it with good grace, too, unlike her mother, who still hadn’t overcome the cruel disappointment of her beautiful daughter being forced to marry into the country gentry.
“How could I forget?” he said dryly.
“You know the sacrifices your sister made on behalf of our family,” his mother said tartly. “And how generous she’s been in helping us through many a difficulty.”
“Kendall, too,” Jack said. “He’s never once voiced a word of complaint over the years. He certainly had every right to, given how many times he’s pulled us out of the River Tick. We’d probably be in debtor’s prison without his help.”
His mother blushed. “I’ve never denied Richard’s better qualities, but I do not believe we must resort to vulgar cant to acknowledge them. You’re a marquess now, my son, not a soldier on the battlefield. You must act accordingly.”
Jack was tempted to point out that he’d known many a common soldier with better manners than the average male aristocrat but refrained. “Point taken. As to the party, I’ll leave all the details in your capable hands. How many do you expect to invite?”
“At least forty, I should think.”
That made him blink. “That many?”
She nodded. “It will be a splendid opportunity for you to meet some of the Ton’s most eligible young ladies and their parents. You can’t put it off much longer, Jack. You need a wife and a helpmate.”
His stomach turned sour, but he forced a smile. “Why? I’ve got you taking care of everything for me.”
“Jack—”
“Very well. I’ll inspect as many heiresses as you care to trot out. But right now I must be off. I have a fairly urgent matter to attend to.”
He bent to press a quick kiss to her cheek but drew back when she frowned. “Now what?” he asked.
“You’re going to visit her, aren’t you?”
Christ.“It’s nothing to concern yourself about, Mother.”
“I thought so. You’re going to see that Kincaid girl.” Though she didn’t raise her voice, her tone was heavy with disapproval.
“I am,” he said tersely. Though Jack never discussed the Kincaids with his mother, he’d been forced to tell her why he’d unexpectedly returned to London. They’d already had one argument about Lia.
“I don’t know why you bother,” she replied in a cold voice. “You told me that she’s staying with her mother and stepfather. It’s their responsibility to take care of the girl, not yours.”
“If I had any confidence that Mrs. Lester would exercise her parental responsibility, I might agree with you. But because she’s never shown any inclination to safeguard her own child, I’m not hopeful. Besides, as I already explained, the Lester household is not an appropriate place for Lia.”
“I would think the opposite is true. Miss Kincaid is now at her level, instead of pretending to be something she isn’t,” his mother said with a curl of her lip.
Jack had to swallow the impulse to snap back at her. “Despite Lia’s unfortunate parentage, she’s been raised in a genteel fashion in the country.”
“Yes, so genteel that she’s taken the first opportunity to run away to London to become an actress,” his mother said sarcastically. “The foolish girl seems determined to follow in her mother’s disreputable footsteps.”
Jack shook his head. There was a yawning chasm between them on the issue of the Kincaids. “Mother, I realize it’s difficult for you to understand, but I have a deep responsibility toward Lia. And whether you believe it or not, she has no idea what she’s gotten herself in to. She’s a country girl through and through, and the type of life she’s contemplating—through a ridiculously romantic haze, I might add—will destroy her. As her friend, I will not allow that to happen. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll see you at dinner.”
He started to turn away, but her desperate voice stopped him. “Jack, wait.”
Turning, his heart sank when he took in the pain in her gaze and the lines of bitterness scored so deeply around her mouth.
