arm. “It would drive you insane in a wife, admit it.”
“Indeed, yes,” he said cheerfully. “But in a friend it is vastly entertaining.”
“I hope you have a safe trip to London.”
“Thank you, Beatrice.” He sat down again.
“What are you working on?” Beatrice pulled her spectacles from the drawstring pouch attached to her sash, and came to stand behind him.
She stared at his drawing, but even wearing her spectacles it made no sense to her. It did have a certain artistic appeal, she thought, and she tried to pick out a section suitable for study as a work of art.
Roger did not answer her. She could see that something had caught his attention and he was no longer even aware of her presence. Papa was lucky to have Roger in his employ. Design meant more to him than anything else. Including an ill-advised marriage proposal from his best friend.
Feeling aggrieved for her whole sex, Beatrice left the room, resisting the urge to slam the door. Men persisted in thinking that they ran the world. At times like this Beatrice suspected they might be right.
Chapter Three
“ARE YOU HIDING from Mrs. Wilson or her daughter, Pennistan?”
Lord Jessup Pennistan took the proffered hand and made his bow to the new Marquis Destry. Impeccably turned out, complete with his signature red scarf, the former Viscount Bendasbrook might have a new title but he was still as friendly as a ten-year-old, and about as short as one, despite his thirty years.
“Neither, but after traveling with Mrs. Wilson, I thought it only fair that Belmont and the other guests have an opportunity to find out where ‘everyone that counts’—that was her phrase—plans to spend the summer, the winter, and the Christmas holidays. Plus the chance to learn about the health and well-being of her other children. All are doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances.”
“What circumstances?” Destry asked.
“I have no idea. I believe I fell asleep. Why don’t you go ask her?”
Destry shook his head, obviously too wise in the ways of the ton and its mamas to fall into that trap. “You know, the countess never mentioned you would be attending.”
“I was a last-minute replacement to even the numbers since Mr. Wilson was unable to break away from the demands of the estate.”
“So no pending announcements from that quarter?”
“What quarter is that, Des? And have you been at the wine already?”
“You and Miss Wilson.” Destry tried to look as though he thought that was possible.
“No, it has been made perfectly clear to me that I am not an eligible parti,” Jess said firmly. “I could not agree more.”
The two looked over at Mrs. Wilson and her daughter. The mother was chattering away while Miss Wilson stood nearby with the polite smile of someone who was used to waiting.
“She is the sort who can talk on without ever taking a breath,” Destry observed. With unspoken agreement the two men turned away from the ladies and found a spot out of their line of sight.
“I guess we are by way of relatives now,” Destry went on. “Since my aunt is married to your brother and all.”
“And the happy ending to that tale was more than welcome,” Jess agreed, though he had yet to meet the new duchess. That was not a subject he wanted to pursue. “How lucky for me that the countess invited you to this house party. It’s been awhile since we matched wits over cards.”
Destry smiled, rising up and down on the balls of his feet. The man found staying still a challenge. “It would be my pleasure, Jess. At least you understand it’s all a game and not some personal insult when I relieve you of a few guineas.”
“More than a few, last time we met. I hope you enjoyed it. This week luck will sit on my shoulder and it will be your pockets to let.”
“Name the place and the game and we will see who has the luck. Perhaps with a few side wagers on what alliances might be formed here.”
“It’s a party, Destry. I thought we established that I’m not looking for a match. Are you?”
“Not likely.”
Now that they had both stated the obvious disclaimers Jess wondered if Destry was as disinterested as he claimed to be. He was set to inherit a dukedom and would someday have to consider an heir.
Before Jess could sound the man out on his true intentions, the countess approached them, all cheerful greetings for Destry. Then it was his turn, and a