Wick knew that most peers wanted ‘an heir and a spare’, just in case something happened to the firstborn son.
Mantheria stepped away from him, a look of revulsion on her face. ‘Despite his many flaws, Alexander would never force himself on me. He has an heir to his dukedom, and he knows that he will have no other children from me.’
Wick picked up a figurine from the table and squeezed it with all the anger he felt for his brother-in-law. A man he’d once respected and admired. ‘Would you consider a divorce? It’s common knowledge that he is unfaithful to you. It wouldn’t be hard to prove.’
‘A woman cannot obtain a divorce unless there is cruelty—which there has not been. Only a man can divorce for infidelity. Men are given all the privileges and never held to the same standards as women.’
‘I could always shoot him.’
Mantheria burst into laughter, breaking the tense feeling in the room. ‘Yes, but I wouldn’t want you to hang.’
Wick huffed. ‘In a proper duel—not in the middle of the street. I wouldn’t hang.’
She lifted her hands and dropped them. ‘What if you were the one who died? And anyway it’s no matter. I could never deprive Andrew of his father. He adores Alexander and Andrew adores him... Now, let’s focus on your own problems.’
‘I need another governess.’
‘Obviously—a lady who will get on well with Becca, Frederica and Helen. I’ll ask around my friends to see if they know of any young woman who would suit our family. Someone who isn’t averse to kittens, snakes or emus.’
Wick bit the side of his cheek. ‘And I want Lady Louisa to be presented to Queen Charlotte and enjoy a London season. One of her only memories of her mother is being told about her presentation. Matthew and I will track down her trustees and sort out her finances.’
Mantheria laughed again, raising her eyebrows. ‘You don’t ask for much. Just a come-out wardrobe for a debutante, a royal presentation, and an introduction to thetonwith absolutely no notice at all. It is something I cannot do on my own. In my husband’s absence I will need a proper escort.’
A shiver of panic ran down his spine; he feared where this conversation was heading. ‘I hope you don’t wantmeto accompany you to these society squeezes.’
His sister patted his arm. ‘Yes, dearest brother. You must come to all the parties with us and lend our group your countenance.’
Wick stepped away from his sister and held up his hands as if he’d been waylaid by highwaymen. ‘I will get eaten alive. The debutantes will swarm around me like killer bees. I will be of no use to you or Louisa.’
Mantheria lifted her chin. ‘If you don’t, then I won’t.’
He was half tempted to test his sister’s threats, but he’d promised Louisa that he would help her and he couldn’t without Mantheria’s assistance.
‘You drive a harder bargain than Mama,’ he said, putting down his hands. ‘Fine. I will escort you to the presentation and to a couple of balls. But I won’t dance. And you will have to help me find a new governess for the girls.’
His sister held out her hand. ‘It’s an agreement.’
‘Agreement,’ he echoed, shaking it and knowing that he would regret this pact.
Chapter Fourteen
Louisa had never been shopping before, so she didn’t know what to expect. The stylish premises that Mantheria took her to the next day did not have any prices displayed. Nor any dresses. They were taken to a parlour with several chairs and given tea from a silver tea tray with small cakes. The modiste, a Madame Brunet, sat with them and chatted merrily about the weather with a pleasing French accent.
She was a petite, dark-haired beauty with an olive-skinned complexion. Her dress was cut fashionably, but sensibly. And nothing about her demeanour suggested that they were about to spend any money. Nor did Madame Brunet rush them at all. She waited for Louisa and Mantheria to finish their tea before she stood up.
‘If you are ready, Your Grace?’ Madame Brunet said, looking at Mantheria, who was the highest-ranking woman in the room. ‘I shall have my assistants model the latest fashions from Paris. If any dress strikes your fancy, I can have it made up in the colour and material of your choice.’
Mantheria nodded and smiled at the other woman. ‘Yes, Lady Louisa’s colouring might prove a bit tricky on some of the shades. But I am sure that we can rely on your good taste to guide us to the best you have to offer. My mother would expect nothing less.’
‘Of course, Your Grace,’ said Madame Brunet, bowing. ‘I am honoured by your family’s custom.’
Louisa bit her lower lip. Mantheria wasn’t asking for a price reduction. She was telling the modiste to show her only the most expensive wares. Louisa knew that Mantheria and her sisters were very wealthy, but she had no idea when she would be able to repay them for their kindness—nor for Parisian gowns. She prayed that Wick would be able to locate her trustees quickly.
She cleared her throat. ‘May I speak alone with the Duchess?’
Madame Brunet curtsied. ‘But of course,mademoiselle. I shall go and help my assistants prepare.Au revoir.’
Louisa waited until the modiste had left the room to open her mouth. Although they were the same age, she still felt nervous in Lady Glastonbury’s company. She was afraid to disappoint the Duchess, as she had Aunt Rockingham and Aunt Laybourne. And she wanted so badly for them to be friends.