Chapter Five

“Is that all?” Graham leaned back, his head tilting to the side. He was expecting something…more that babysitting a deb.

“All? You still don’t bloody get it, do you? I swear I might have to agree with your sister on one more thing.” Clairmont shook his head and paced a few steps more.

“Oh, and what is that?” Graham asked sarcastically.

“Your intelligence.”

“There’s not need to be insulting just because you’re in a lather over your ward.” Charles tugged on his coat sleeves, annoyed.

“ Are you coming to the ball?”

“Am I invited?” Graham teased.

“You were.” Clairmont clipped.

“Yes, I’ll be there. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Speaking of the world…why did you come back to London during The Season? You know your harridan of a sister will simply try to marry you off.”

“Perhaps I’ll let her.” Graham studied the shine on his Hessian boots. After a moment he glanced up. Clairmont was studying him with an expression mixed between disbelief and horror.

“You can’t be serious.”

“You’re quite right. The woman will be selected by myself, of course. Never can trust a sister. “ Graham shrugged, a grin teasing at his lips.

“You… married.” Clairmont pointed at Graham.

“Yes.”

“This season?”

“I believe that is what I said, yes.” Graham nodded.

Silence.

“Do you not believe me?” Graham asked, offended at his friend’s cynical expression.

“I…do.”

“You’re bloody convincing.” Graham grumbled.

“Why?” Clairmont asked, his brow furrowing.

“Why not?” Graham shot back.

Clairmont shrugged and walked toward him, sitting down in the chair directly across. “Why now, is a better question?”

“I’m not getting any younger.”

“How sage.”

Graham glared. Clairmont was wearing off on him apparently.

“I need to have an heir, and marriage cannot be as trying as you say. Look at you! Aside from the scowling, pacing, caged animal, you’re positively beaming.” Graham suppressed chuckle.

Clairmont didn’t appear as amused.

“I’m one and thirty, I might as well get the whole business over and done with. Why not this season?” Graham shrugged and leaned back into the plush chair.

“You… are exactly what I’m afraid of.” Clairmont stood abruptly. Truly it was as if the man could not sit still. It was bloody dizzying.

“Pardon?”

“You! Men like you are exactly why I am concerned about Bethanny’s come out. Detached men, men who want heirs, spares, and a mistress on the side.”

“I never said anything about a mistress.” Graham felt the need to interject.

“Yes, but—“

“And if memory serves correctly, you have had scores more mistresses than I.” He added further.

“Before Carlotta.”

“Yes.”

“So it’s different.”

“A mistress is—“

“No, and that, my friend, is exactly what I’m afraid of. A wife is not a mistress… and a mistress could never, ever take the place of a wife. The two are completely unrelated. I was once like you… an utter fool—“

“Why, thank you.” Graham cut in, his eyes rolling in impatience. Clairmont was as emotional as a bloody woman. It was exhausting. Was this what marriage did to a man? Made him moody, emotional, and irrational? Heaven help him.

“I mean no disrespect.”

“Because calling one a fool is generally taken as a compliment,” Graham added.

“No, you nodcock.”

“Ah, the compliments continue.”

Clairmont cast his gaze upward as if in prayer.

“You look like my sister.”

His prayer ended abruptly and was followed by a fierce scowl.

“What I’m trying to say is… unless your heart is invested in your wife, you’ll never understand marriage, nor will you reap the amazing benefits of sharing your soul with another person. Carlotta isn’t perfect, nor am I, but we’re prefect for each other. She compliments where I lack and vice versa. It’s a… waltz, our life together. Some give, some take, some crafty maneuvering, but never ever separated from the other. She’s my lifeline, I’m her strength. I want that same… I don’t know the word… I just want that for Bethanny, and quite honestly, I want it for you too…” Clairmont paused, his gaze piercing through Graham.

“Ah, old chap, I’m quite moved,” Graham spoke softly. “I guess I never thought of it that way.”

“So will you help me with Bethanny?” He took a step forward. “I just want her to be happy,“ Clairmont pleaded.

“Yes, I will. I’ll be her bloody guardian angel if I need to be. There’s nothing you have to fear.” Graham stood and shook his friend’s hand.

“Thank you, and in return, I’ll ask Carlotta to give you the names of few good women of the ton. Your sister could do the same, but I’d trust Carlotta’s taste over Dianna’s.”

“I agree wholeheartedly.” Graham nodded.

“I thought you might.” Clairmont grinned.

“Yes, well, I’d best be going. I will see you at the ball.”

“Until the ball,” echoed Clairmont.

Graham took his leave, his boots making short work of the stairs that led from the duke’s resident to his awaiting carriage. Once inside, he released a pent-up breath.

Though the envy still stirred slightly, he felt a pinch of pity for his good friend. If his ward, Bethanny, was as beautiful as he’d said, then he had good reason to worry. But in Graham’s experience, the father, or in his case, guardian, usually looked at the girl with a jaded view. While it was possible she was as perfect as Clairmont thought, it was very unlikely.

However, it mattered not. Because it wouldn’t change his resolution to watch out for her this season. And who knew? Perhaps while watching out for her, he’d come across his future countess. It was entirely possible. So with a slight shrug, Graham glanced out across the flurry of passing buildings as he made his way back to his residence. An errant thought tickled his mind before dismissing it.

He hoped he recognized Bethanny. He wouldn’t be much help unless he knew which debutant to keep an eye on. But, as soon as the thought passed through his mind, he dismissed it. After all, it was her ball. He’d have to be bloody blind to miss her.