When they strolled into the breakfast room in Montagu House, Montagu’s mother and sister, Lady Lytton, were breaking their fast. He and Lytton set about filling their plates. Unfortunately, just as Montagu was about to take his seat, his sister reminded him about an early vote at the Lords and he departed, leaving Giff with the ladies.
“Good morning.” He bowed to them and took a seat.
Lady Lytton gave him a calculated gaze over the rim of her cup. She obviously wanted information and had decided Giff was the one to give it to her. It was soon clear she was interested in Lady Alice’s sister for her brother. Having been on the Town for several years, he knew exactly how much information to impart. Not only that, but he wanted to find out what they knew about Lady Alice. “He seems to want a lady of only moderate intelligence.”
Lady Lytton looked as if she wanted to roll her eyes. “Did you tell him that was a mistake?”
“Not I. There is no point in telling a man something he must discover on his own.” Giff smiled to himself. “I did suggest that if he wanted a stupid woman, he must make sure not to show his own intelligence or it might frighten her away.”
Lady Montagu laughed. “Oh my.” She waved her hand in front of her face. “This I cannot wait to see.”
Lady Lytton’s eyes widened, and her lips curved up. “Oh dear. I have a feeling Lady Eleanor is not at all stupid, or of even moderate intelligence.”
As the ladies began to plot ways to throw Montagu and Lady Eleanor together, Giff dug into his breakfast.
He’d not been paying much attention until he heard Lady Montagu mention an entertainment in which he would be interested. “A theater party? Or a party to Vauxhall.”
Lady Lytton glanced at him. “And would you like to be included, my lord?”
“If you wouldn’t mind, I would be delighted to be invited to make up your numbers.” He was relying on his mother, but there was no sense in not taking advantage of the entertainment the ladies were planning. “I am looking for a wife, and she must be intelligent and have great strength of character. I get the feeling that you would be the one to help me find such a lady.”
Lady Lytton inclined her head in assent. “That would give me a great deal of pleasure. Mamma and I are attending a meeting today that many ladies of that ilk will also attend. I would not be surprised to find a few young ladies there as well.”
Lady Montagu gave Giff a narrow-eyed look. “Would this have anything to do with your father?”
Even though he’d mentioned the problem of his father to Montagu, Giff did not particularly want it to get out that Papa could be difficult. That might put off the type of woman in which Giff was interested. Still, these ladies were offering to help him, and that was something they should know. “Partially. I do want to spend my life with a lady of intelligence, but she must be able to stand up to my father. I will be able to aid her only so much.”
Lady Montagu nodded thoughtfully. “As I thought.”
Lady Lytton raised a brow. “Is he cruel?”
“Not in the sense you most likely mean.” Giff shook his head. “He is not a brute. In fact, I can only remember him spanking me twice, and both times I had put my life in danger. He never allowed my tutor to physically punish me” Although a spanking or a rap on the knuckles might have been less painful than writing page after page of Latin declensions. He studied the ladies for a few short moments. “I have never heard him verbally attack anyone. He can be difficult. If he thinks that he can get the better of you, he will. When he tells someone to do something one ought not to do or really does not want to do, one fares much better to stand up to him and tell him no, than to meekly do what he wishes. It is hard to explain.”
“Your mother’s garden,” Lady Montagu said abruptly.
Lady Lytton glanced at her mother. “You know them?”
“Of course I do. I came out the same year the duchess did. Now, let me tell you the story.” Giff had heard the tale before. It was one of his favorites. In fact, he couldn’t imagine Papa had been so reckless to try to interfere with Mamma’s garden. Other than her children, that was her pride and joy. “St. Albans’s father told his mother he was going to tear out her garden and make a tennis court. She refused. When he pressed the issue, she had the gamekeeper arm his helpers and the gardeners with the hunting guns and refused to allow the men he had hired to enter her garden. She even held one of the muskets herself.”
Giff would have loved to have seen that. “He gave up the scheme when she told him that he’d have a difficult time using a tennis court with a ball in his arm.” Papa still grumbled about it every now and again. “She would have done it. M’mother doesn’t make threats.”
“Hmm, I see what you mean.” Lady Lytton glanced at her watch. “I shall give it some thought. As for now, we should be going. I have things I must accomplish before this afternoon.” She stood and bussed her mother’s cheek.
Giff had stood when her ladyship rose. He should probably go home.
“Please finish eating.” Lady Montagu motioned for him to retake his seat. “We can discuss any ideas you have for events to which young ladies will be invited.”
He did as she asked. “My mother is planning a ball. You mentioned a theater party. Is Vauxhall a possibility? I know that it can be rather risqué.”
Lady Montagu looked down her nose at him. “That depends entirely on the company one keeps. That said, the party must be small, one must keep an eye on the younger ladies.” She requested more tea. “You might consider joining your mother for morning visits. You will be able to meet all the young ladies coming out and those for whom this is not their first Season.”
An excellent point. “My mother mentioned I should escort her.”
“Other than that, I am certain your mother will receive the necessary invitations. Especially when it is made known that you are in search of a wife. And I shall send cards to her as well.”
He finished his breakfast. “Indeed. I shall have no difficulty with choice.” A faint smile hovered on Lady Montagu’s lips. What was that about? “Thank you for your help.”
“My pleasure. I expect I shall see you again soon.”
Giff rose and bowed. “I bid you a good day. I will show myself out.”
He was happy to see Horace waiting for him as he reached the pavement. He had to wash before speaking to his mother. Lady Lytton might not mind the smell of horse at the breakfast table, but his mother would. Not that he’d see her in the breakfast room. She broke her fast in her parlor. He’d never thought to ask why she did, but after seeing Lady Lytton in the breakfast room, he began to wonder. Giff shrugged his shoulders. It was no bread and butter of his where his mother wanted to break her fast. He did think he’d like his wife to join him for breakfast and early morning rides. He recalled Lady Alice’s excellent seat. Yes, his wife must ride well.
* * *
Alice entered Dotty’s house with her sisters, but they were soon separated. She threaded through the crowded rooms greeting ladies she knew and meeting other ladies until she finally found Georgie Turley. “Just the person I wanted to see.”
She greeted Alice with a hug. “You are finally making your come out.”
“I am. We are.” She was glad she was not doing it alone. “I have a question to ask you.”
“Very well. What is it about?”
“We, Eleanor, Madeline, and I, have been riding early. We met two gentlemen—” Georgie’s brows rose—“It was entirely proper. Lord Montagu was introduced to us at Lady Bellamny’s soiree.”
“Very well. What has he done?”
“Him? Nothing. Although, he does seem interested in Eleanor. He had a friend with him, Lord St. Albans. Do you know anything about him?”
