How to Love the Perfect Lord, page 1
How to Love the Perfect Lord
Tabetha Waite
Copyright © 2024 Tabetha Waite
Cover Design by Mandy Koehler Designs
This title is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to similarly named places or to persons living or deceased is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever, including but not limited to photocopy, digital, auditory, and/or in print, without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations for a review.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Epilogue
Afterword
About the Author
Also by Tabetha Waite
For Rachel Ann Smith for coming up with such a charming idea as Lords and Lace.
Chapter 1
London, England
Autumn 1816
* * *
Lady Arietta Greenville paused to look inside the dressmaker’s shop on her way to the millinery. She had only intended to purchase a new bit of ribbon to replace the frayed one on her favorite straw bonnet, but the dress in the window had given her pause. Although she was two and twenty, nearly on the shelf by some standards, she continued to dress in the pastels of the fresh-faced debutantes who made their debut in society. But peering at the deep purple dress in the window with its delicate white lace overlay, she was beginning to rethink her choices.
Her mother would likely have an apoplexy if she saw her coming down the stairs in such a bold, brazen color, but Arietta was starting to believe it was the only way Griffin Barlowe, the Earl of Uxbridge would ever notice her. At least, as a woman. For so long, he had been a friend of her father’s, and although he was much younger than the Marquess of Hillborough they conversed quite frequently. However, other than a polite nod in her direction, that was generally all the regard he showed her. When they met at a public gathering, he always danced a quadrille or some other country dance to satisfy his gentlemanly code of honor, and then bid her farewell with a respectful bow before continuing on his way.
She sighed, and instead of pining after the dress, she inspected her reflection in the glass pane instead. She tried to imagine how he might see her. Arietta turned her head one way then the other, and then she scrunched up her nose.
She wasn’t certain if she would consider herself beautiful, but she decided she was pretty. She had high cheekbones and brown eyes that were framed with long, dark lashes. Her blond hair held the smallest hint of brown and always framed her face with a delicate wave, although it didn’t hold a true curl very well.
The issue, she was quite sure, was the lighter colors she wore. They washed out her coloring. Her attention returned to the gown in the window, and forgoing the ribbon for the moment, she walked inside the shop.
A bell tinkled as she entered, and the lady behind the counter smiled at her entrance. Arietta wasn’t sure if she had ever been inside, but then, she generally did most of her shopping on Bond Street, rather than Piccadilly.
The woman behind the counter offered her a kind smile as she approached. “How may I assist you, miss?”
Arietta gestured to the gown in the window. “I wanted to inquire about the premade gown.”
“Oh, yes! Very good choice, my lady.” The woman bobbed her head enthusiastically then walked over to the display and removed the garment. She brought it back over to Arietta and held it up against her. “I believe it shall be a very close fit. Would you care to try it on?”
Arietta wavered for an instant, and then she said, “I think I should like that very much.”
The shopkeeper led her to the back where she spoke to one of her assistants, who was busy sewing another gown, telling her to watch the front for a few moments. The assistant immediately set aside her work and disappeared, while the lady assisted Arietta in removing her current gown.
The moment the silky fabric slid over her skin, Arietta knew that she would be taking the gown home with her. But not until the shopkeeper exclaimed her approval with a clap of her hands did Arietta dare to glance into the mirror.
“Oh, you look just lovely. This dress was made for another, but when she changed her mind, it was waiting for just the right woman to come along. I believe that you are the one.”
Arietta was quite sure the woman offered such flattery because she was trying to make a sale, but when she inspected her reflection, she had to admit that it seemed to add a certain… light to her features that had been lacking previously. Or perhaps it was the brilliant smile on her face that made it so. “I’ll take it.”
She waited patiently as it was wrapped, and then Arietta walked out of the shop with a spring in her step. She couldn’t wait for the opportunity to wear it. She was definitely going to wait until she could be assured that Lord Uxbridge would be around. She imagined that he might fall to his feet in admiration, and she gave a little chuckle.
“You seem pleased with yourself, Lady Arietta.”
Arietta glanced up and nearly stumbled when her gaze clashed with the very object of her desires. He looked as handsome as ever with his brown hair peeking out from beneath his hat and his green eyes clear and friendly as they lit on her. He was quite a bit taller than her, so her bonnet did little to shield the sun when she glanced up to meet his gaze. However, as the silence lengthened, she knew she ought to say something. She cleared her throat. “I got a new dress.” she offered.
“Did you?”
He acted as though he was intrigued, but what would a gentleman care about a lady’s fashions, except to possibly remove them.
Her face burned at the scandalous thought of the earl doing the same to her. Hoping to divert her innermost musings, she said, “Are you shopping as well?”
“Gads, no.” He shuddered, as if that was the worst thing he could think of to do. “I dropped by the house and your mother told me you were here, so I thought I would cure myself of some boredom by joining you. It’s so quiet when most of society has scampered off to the country.”
Arietta tried to comprehend what he was saying, but it was difficult to get past the part when he claimed he wanted to join her. Surely stars were dancing in her eyes, so she quickly dropped them to the ground.
“Don’t tell me you’re finished already? I was so hoping for a diversion.”
“I… I was planning to go to the… milliner—” she stammered. You sound like a ninnyhammer, her conscience chided.
“Allow me to accompany you.” He removed the box from her grasp and started walking, thus giving her no chance but to follow.
“Are you sure you don’t have anything better to do?” she asked, curious that he would actually choose to spend time with her when he generally discounted her offhand.
He laughed richly. “Trust me, if that were the case, I wouldn’t be here.”
Ouch. “I see.”
He stopped walking. “Forgive me, Lady Arietta. That sounded unforgivably rude.”
She waved away his explanation. She didn’t want him to see how much his words had actually stung. “Don’t concern yourself over it.”
Thankfully, they had reached the millinery and she was able to distract herself rather than ponder how much she longed for him.
Griffin liked to act as though he was a rake of the first order. Most of the gentlemen of his acquaintance were, after all.
In truth, he was rather awkward, especially when it came to speaking with the fairer sex. However, he had always been at ease with Lady Arietta. He had been intrigued by the quiet, reserved girl ever since he’d first met her during her come-out season. Since then, he wasn’t sure if he liked her—or just wanted to figure her out, bring her out of her shell, somehow.
There were times when she offered him a genuine smile, or said something quite witty, but for as long as he’d been visiting the Hillborough residence, he had yet to get her to open up fully. She still held part of herself back, and he couldn’t understand why. She was an enigma, a puzzle that he felt he must attempt to solve.
He supposed that some of it had to do with the betting books at White’s, wagering as to who would finally win the fair lady’s hand. It was no secret that she would make a favorable wife and would come to the union with a sizable dowry. But regardless of all the compliments that had been thrown her way through the years, as far as he knew, she hadn’t received one offer of marriage. At this point, he almost felt as if it was his responsibility to help her find a husband. It would be a shame to see her waste away as a spinster, a forgotten lady left to rusticate in the country.
No, he wouldn’t have it.
If her parents wouldn’t push the task, then, as her father’s closest friend, he supposed the duty fell to him. There were several eligible gentlemen in London that were in need of a bride. He just needed to convince her that she wanted one of them.
But in order to do that, he needed to know a bit more about her so he could find the right match. He studied her as she inspected the ribbon. He expected her to choose something plain and unassuming, but to his surprise, she took a crimson one to the coun
He lifted a brow. Interesting. Could it be that the proper Lady Arietta had a passionate heart beneath that calm exterior?
After she’d made her purchase, he escorted her outside.
As they made their way to her carriage, he asked, “Have you considered marriage, Lady Arietta?” She actually stumbled over the walkway. Thankfully, he was there to steady her. “Careful, there.”
Her cheeks bloomed red right before his eyes. “Excuse me,” she murmured. It took a moment for her to recover, but then she said, “I suppose every girl must at some point.”
He tilted his head. “Do I take that to mean you haven’t fantasized about your wedding?”
She shrugged. “Perhaps when I was a child.”
“But not now?”
She paused and turned to look at him. She held a hand to keep the sun out of her gaze when she lifted her head. “May I ask where all the questions are coming from, my lord?”
He was hoping she might ask. “As a matter of fact,” he answered as he put his hands behind his back and rocked back on his heels, “I have decided to become your matchmaker.”
She blinked at him. “What?”
He cleared his throat. “I said—”
“Yes, yes.” She waved an impatient hand. “I heard you quite clearly, but I suppose I’m confused as to why you would take on such a task?”
He put a hand over his heart. “I find that it is in my nature to try to assist those less fortunate, and since I have a particular loyalty to your father, it’s the least I can do.”
She looked as though she was about to burst into laughter. Instead, she turned and kept walking. He easily kept pace with her. “That is a selfless gesture on your part, my lord, but I fear I must decline.”
“Why?” he prodded. “I told you—”
“I understand it’s because of your friendship with my father. Is that all?”
“And I know most of the bachelors in society. I would be able to find someone suitable for you.” He held up a hand, even though she didn’t see him. “I would, however, need to chat with you some afternoon, in order to get a list of qualifications for any possible suitor.”
There was a brief pause. Then, “Very well.”
When they reached the carriage, he assisted her inside, and set her package on the seat next to her. He shut the door, but then he leaned his elbows inside as he regarded her. “I’m glad that you’ve agreed to let me assist you in this matter. I’m sure that we will be successful, and by the time the season starts anew next spring, you shall carry a new title.”
He grinned broadly, and although he was hoping for the same enthusiasm, her excitement was a bit more subdued. And dare he wonder, a bit wistful? “I wish that could be true.”
Chapter 2
Well, this is a fine mess.
Arietta tossed the dress package on a nearby chair in her bedchamber, and untied her bonnet, letting it follow suit. She walked over to her bed and flopped down on top. Her arms were splayed out on either side of her as she stared at the canopy above. Perhaps it would show her the terrible misstep she’d made in turning Lord Uxbridge into her matchmaker, rather than her suitor.
She groaned, putting a hand over her face.
What she wouldn’t give for some female advice at the moment, but her best friend had recently married, and it wasn’t as if she could speak to her mother. The marchioness got queasy the one time she tried to explain the marriage act to her when she thought she might get an offer. It turned out not to be the case, as his head was quickly turned by a more flirtatious lady, and Arietta was spared most of her mother’s stumbling lecture.
When the door opened and her maid entered, she immediately sat up. The girl was young, perhaps even younger than herself, but servants were wont to talk, so she had likely heard more than Arietta ever had. “Can I ask you something?”
The maid, Jane, froze, but she set down the linens she had just brought up and bobbed a slight curtsy. “Of course, my lady.”
She took a deep breath to steady herself. “How would you go about getting a man to notice you?”
The girl’s eyes widened. “I’m sure I can’t say, my lady.”
Arietta’s heart sank. “I thought for sure that—” She waved a hand. “Never mind. I’m just pondering aloud. I have long held a tendre for a certain gentleman, but rather than make me an offer, he has decided to take it upon himself, to offer to become my matchmaker. He said he’s quite acquainted with several gentlemen and…” She trailed off, knowing that she was rambling by this point. “I was merely hoping for some advice.”
The maid looked torn, but then she dared to lower her voice. “I might have heard that seduction works in gaining a man’s notice.”
Arietta snorted. “I’m sure it would, but I have not the slightest idea about how to play the coquette.”
“From what I hear…” Jane went so far as to glance about the room, as if to make certain they wouldn’t be overheard by the invisible servants in the corners. “It’s not as difficult as it might seem. A brush of a hand, making eye contact, a laugh, anything to show the gentleman that he is appealing to you.”
Arietta considered this. “Hmm. That might not be too difficult, as you say. I shall try the next time I encounter the gentleman.”
“May I wish you good luck, my lady? I believe the Earl of Uxbridge to be a fine gentleman, indeed.”
Arietta’s eyes widened. “Is it so obvious?”
Jane smiled gently. “Only to me, because I have been your personal maid since your come-out ball, and the only time I see you truly light up is when the earl is visiting the residence.”
“Then it appears I only have one thing left to do.” She squared her shoulders. “I shall have to seduce the earl.”
Arietta was ready for the earl when he appeared the next afternoon, just as he’d promised. The butler announced him when he showed him into the parlor where she’d been sipping tea next to the mantel, a cart already waiting with light refreshments. She had instructed the maid to take a bit of extra care with her hair that morning, but she felt as though she still faded into the wallpaper behind her in the pale yellow gown she wore.
Nevertheless, the earl greeted her with a bow and a compliment to her attire.
“Thank you, my lord,” she said graciously. “Would you care for some refreshments?”
“I would, indeed.” He patted his waistcoat as he took a seat across from her and carefully took a scone from the cart and broke off a piece and popped it into his mouth. “I have my list of the eligible gentlemen in London with me. I hope that you have done the same and made a list of qualifications?”
She nodded. She’d sat at her writing desk all morning, ruining sheet after sheet until she’d finally counted all the things she liked about the earl without actually putting his name at the top. “I do.”
“Very well. Let’s hear them.” He withdrew his sheet and set it on the table between them. “Might I borrow a pen to mark off the gentlemen that aren’t suited to your liking?”
“Of course.” She walked over to the desk in the parlor and returned with the pen and inkwell. She had neglected to have it ready, in the hope that he might request it. As she handed the items to him, she allowed their fingers to brush a bit longer than necessary.
He didn’t appear to have any change in his expression at all, while a field of butterflies had been released in her stomach.
“Shall we begin?” he asked, glancing up.
She laughed, deciding to take her maid’s advice. However, she had nearly forgotten that she seldom expressed her emotions so openly. He must have recalled that fact as well, for he looked at her curiously. “Are you quite well, Lady Arietta?”
Her smile died on her lips. “Perfectly,” she murmured, and decided that she would cease trying any further mild flirtation for the moment.
