Loving Lord Egleton: A Regency Romance (Regency Matchmakers Book 3), Laura Beers [ap literature book list .TXT] 📗

his teasing. “You came to us for our help, and we expect you to take this seriously.”

His grin slipped. “Of course.”

“I am glad to hear that,” she replied. “After all, we strive for love matches.”

“That is what I want most of all.”

Hannah pursed her lips. “Wonderful,” she muttered curtly.

Martin eyed her curiously. “Did I do something to upset you, Hannah?”

“No,” she replied unconvincingly. It wasn’t what Hannah was saying, but how she said it, that caused him pause. Her tone and manner were somehow different.

Unsure of what to say, Martin held her gaze, hoping she would confide in him. He watched as Hannah’s eyes grew guarded and knew she would remain tight-lipped. It had been this way since they were children.

“If you will excuse me, I’m afraid I have some important business I must attend to,” Hannah said.

“Of course,” he replied with a stiff bow. “I look forward to meeting with you and Kate later.”

Hannah barely spared him a glance as she walked to the door. “As are we.”

He watched her depart from the room and had the sudden urge to follow her, to demand that she tell him the truth. He had done something to upset her, but he couldn’t determine what that was.

Why were women such delicate creatures? If only they would speak their minds, it would save a considerable amount of time.

Martin exited the drawing room and headed towards the study, finding Edward reviewing ledgers at his desk.

“Why are women such finical creatures?” he inquired.

Edward glanced up from his desk. “Do you truly expect me to answer that?” he asked. “Because I wouldn’t even know where to begin.”

Martin closed the door and walked over to the chair in front of the desk. “I believe Hannah is upset with me.”

“Why do you suppose that is?”

“I have no idea,” Martin replied, “but I just had the most unpleasant exchange with her in the drawing room.”

“What did she say?”

“It wasn’t what she said, but how she said it.”

Edward lifted his brow. “Perhaps you just perceived it incorrectly.”

“I assure you I did not.”

“If Hannah is cross with you, then why did she agree to help you secure a match?”

“I cannot answer that.”

Edward leaned back in his chair. “May I ask why your father decided you suddenly need to wed?”

“My father says it is time that I do my duty and produce an heir,” Martin explained. “Furthermore, he was in the same position when his father secured a match for him.”

“Why did he select Lady Isabella?”

Coming around the chair, Martin sat down. “He wants our families to be bonded through marriage.”

“What do you think of Lady Isabella?”

Martin shrugged. “We’ve attended the same social gatherings, but I have yet to be introduced to her. Frankly, I was never interested in doing so.”

“Well, your father can’t force you to marry Lady Isabella.”

Martin sighed. “No, but my father can be rather pigheaded at times,” he said. “He is not a man you want to cross.”

“But this is your future we are talking about.”

“I am well aware,” Martin replied. “Which is why I have solicited Kate and Hannah’s assistance to help find me a bride.”

“Has no young woman caught your eye this Season?”

Martin shook his head. “I’m afraid not.”

“It’s a good thing you came to Kate and Hannah, because they are the best matchmakers in Town,” Edward said with pride.

“How is your sister faring?” Martin asked after a moment.

“By all accounts, Kitty appears happy with her choice to marry William.”

“That must be a great relief to you.”

“I suppose it is, but I refused to let my sister live in that hovel William called his home,” Edward said. “They are residing in my country house for the time being.”

“That is rather generous of you.”

“Kitty doesn’t know the first thing about being on her own,” Edward declared. “I have asked the housekeeper to help her adjust to her new role as the mistress of the house.”

“Your sister is a clever girl. I have no doubt she will rise to the challenge.”

Edward didn’t appear convinced. “Kitty was never raised with the intention of caring for herself. Everything has always been done for her since she was a little child.”

“She willingly chose to leave a life in Society behind when she married William.”

“I know, but I truly hope she doesn’t live to regret that choice,” Edward said, frowning. “She has tied herself to William for the rest of her days.”

“Have you made any more progress on buying an estate near your country home for Kitty?”

Edward nodded. “I purchased a small estate that borders ours, but it will require a lot of work to bring it up to snuff.”

“Is that so?”

“I’ve hired a steward to oversee the work on the manor,” Edward shared. “I don’t want to gift them the property until it is habitable.”

“That is most thoughtful of you.”

“I have used her dowry to cover all the expenses, and it is my hope that William can make the estate profitable within a few years.”

“That is a lofty goal.”

“That may be true, but William wasn’t utterly incompetent as my solicitor.”

Martin chuckled. “That is a glowing endorsement.”

“Believe me, it is,” Edward replied. “I trust he will be able to pick up the nuances of being a landowner with the assistance of a good steward.”

“I hope he is prepared for a life of meetings and reviewing ledgers,” Martin said. “It has a way of nearly consuming one’s life.”

Edward gave him a compassionate look. “How have you been faring since your father handed you control of your family’s properties and investments?”

“I must admit I wasn’t prepared for the work that went along with it.”

“You knew this day would eventually come.”

“I did, but I find that I am no more prepared for it.”

“I assure you, it will get easier with time,” Edward attempted.

“Perhaps, but I envisioned my life much differently,” Martin admitted, rising. “There must be more to life than working.”

“That’s why you need to find a wife.”

Martin grinned. “That is what I’m attempting to do.”

“Good,” Edward said, “but I should advise you that it