Duke of Disrepute (Dukes of Distinction #3) - Alexa Aston Page 0,62

duchess would want to have anything to do with a widow who had no social connections, she’d been wrong. The Duchess of Colebourne hadn’t a mean bone in her body. She’d insisted they be on a first-name basis. They’d had tea several times and gone shopping together, often with Lady Elizabeth in tow. They’d also discussed possible candidates for Weston’s bride-to-be.

Elise had also struck up a correspondence with the Duchess of Windham since their shared Christmas Day dinner. The fact both women had lost their husbands in the same accident, as well as losing babies, had been the foundation of their friendship. It had grown well beyond that, though, and they wrote to one another weekly. Elise couldn’t wait since she felt the next letter she received from Phoebe would be news of her baby’s birth.

“Madame might be a genius but you are fulfilling her vision of the dress rather nicely,” Weston praised.

She looked at his dark evening clothes and snow-white shirt and cravat. “Your tailor has also done quite well, Your Grace. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you looking more handsome.”

“Not even the night we first met?” he teased. “I was younger then.”

“Some men age particularly well. You will be one of them,” she said. Glancing to the stairs and finding them empty, she added, “I have three names of women that you are to ask to dance with tonight. You may partner with as many as you choose but these three are ones I think you’ll find particularly interesting.”

“Name them,” he urged.

Elise did, adding their immediate family connections and telling him a little about each one.

“It sounds as if you’ve been thorough. I look forward to meeting these women.”

“What about me?”

He frowned.

“You told me you’ve been looking at your clubs for men to introduce me to. Which particular ones do you have in mind?”

Weston laughed. “I will introduce you to plenty of men this evening. I will not be giving you the names of individuals, though.”

“Why not? I’ve been carefully evaluating eligible women the last couple of weeks. You were to do the same. Don’t you recall our agreement?”

He reached for her hand. The feel of his fingers, even though they both wore gloves, brought heat to her.

“I don’t want you to go into this with preconceived notions. Dance with several men tonight. Then we will discuss the ones you found interesting when I visit you tomorrow afternoon. If you like a man and I can recommend him to you, I will do so. If I believe you should be warned away, I’ll voice my opinion then.”

“Hmm. That doesn’t seem quite fair. You know exactly what women to dance with while I’m going in blindly to this first ball.”

Weston chuckled. “I know Sam and Lady Elizabeth and you haven’t just been talking about ladies for me. They’ve also told you about various men.”

She shrugged. “They may have. Still, I will look to you for guidance before I commit to any suitor.”

“You said suitor. Don’t think you must fixate on one. I say let a variety of men call upon you. In fact, I may be here most afternoons to help you cull through them.”

“No, you should be calling on the woman—or women—you are considering making your duchess.”

“I plan to visit you daily to seek your advice, Elise. I will also make my own calls. The world of Polite Society is small and, fortunately, most of them live close to one another. It won’t take me long to get from Ruthersby’s townhouse to another one in Mayfair.”

“Oh, Your Grace, you’re here!” cried Lady Ruthersby, coming down the stairs on her husband’s arm.

“Yes, my lady. I’m nothing if not punctual.”

“I thought you were always late to ton affairs,” Elise said out of the side of her mouth before the pair joined them.

“I used to be,” he said quietly. “This is the new me.”

The two men shook hands and Elise watched her sister-in-law bat her lashes at Weston. It caused a queasy feeling inside her. She wondered if they’d been together.

“Thank you for stopping by for us,” Lord Ruthersby said.

“Delighted to,” Weston replied. “I see my tailor has had his way with you. You look splendid, Ruthersby. You are also turned out very well, Lady Ruthersby.”

The countess gave him a flirtatious smile. “Why, thank you, Your Grace.”

“Shall we? My carriage is just outside your doorway.”

Weston took her arm and held her back as her in-laws eagerly rushed ahead.

“I’ve never touched her,” he said. “She did flirt with me last Season.