Snowflakes and Scandals

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

April 1820, Somerset House, London

Belling!” Somerset shook the newssheet in his hand. “Have you seen this outrage?”

His secretary hurried into his study. “No, my lord. What happened?”

“What happened? What happened is that Lord Sextus wed two weeks ago, and we had no idea it had occurred.”

Belling’s mouth opened and closed like that of a fish. “But we had men everywhere. Even at the that party Lady Bellamny held.”

“Never mention that old besom’s name to me again.” Somerset scowled. It wasn’t the first time she had acted against him. “That’s where the damned wedding took place! Get me a glass of wine.” Belling rushed to the sideboard, poured a glass of claret and handed it to Somerset. He drank a large swallow. “I want that land. It’s too late to have Sextus marry the Sutton girl, Septimius will have to do. At least I know where he is.” Somerset tossed off the glass and gave it back to his secretary.

Belling quickly poured and handed Somerset a full glass of claret. Then cleared his throat. “Your grace. Lord Septimus is currently traveling to Canada at the behest of the Lord Sidmouth, the Home Secretary.”

“I know who the damned Home Secretary is.” Somerset downed half of the glass. This was not going well. Mentally he reviewed his unmarried sons. The adults were all married with the exception of Septimus and Quintus, who was serving in the Army in India, the rest of them were too young to wed. “When is he expected to return?”

“Not until late December or January I believe.”

The baron’s daughter didn’t care if she married. Perhaps it would not be a catastrophe if Somerset waited until then. “Very well. Draft a letter stating that it was unfortunate that Lord Sextus was unable to return to England, but that I offer Lord Septimus who is working with the Home Office and will return permanently in January.”

“Yes, your grace.” Belling bowed and saw himself out of the study.

Somerset suspected that his other married children had assisted Sextus in avoiding the match Somerset wanted for him. This time he wouldn’t tell anyone about his plans until he was ready to act. He’d have someone meet the ship upon which Septimus would arrive. He’d do as he was told or be cut off. A condition he could not afford.

Miss Margaret Sutton waylaid the letter from the Duke of Somerset for her father and opened it.

The twenty-second Day of April 1823, Somerset Castle

My dear Lord Sutton,

Unfortunately, my son Lord Sextus was unable to return to England. However, my son Lord Septimus— good Lord. How many sons did the duke have?— who is in the employ of the Home Secretary is extremely interested in meeting your daughter. He is currently sailing to Canada. However, he will return in January and has expressed an interest in meeting you and your daughter at that time.

I trust this is acceptable,

Yr servant,

Somerset

Margaret threw down the letter. She was tempted to send an answer stating that no marriage to a son of his grace’s was acceptable. She did not care if the man was a duke. He was insufferable. She blew out a breath. Her father was not well. She did not even know if he would be alive in January. Meg’s mind turned to a conversation they had when the duke’s first offer had been made.

“Meggy, my dear.” Her father had held both her hands. “I arranged the entail so that you would always keep the land. But you need someone to hand it to after you pass. You must have an heir.”

Papa was right. She needed to have child. If she did not the property would go to a cousin so distance they had never met him. Perhaps Lord Septimus would be a good choice. He did work for the Home Office after all. She did not know how often he traveled, but she need not accompany him. She heaved another sigh. She had until January to think about it. At least she could do was make Christmas as happy as possible for Papa.

Picking up the letter she went back to the library where he spent most of his days and assumed a smile. The news of an eligible prospect would make him feel better.

When she entered his chin was on his chest. But his breathing was normal. “Papa, you received a letter from the Duke of Somerset.”

“What’s that?” Her father threw back his head as if she had startled him. She probably had. “A letter. Where’s that son of his?”

“He was unable to return to England. He duties to the Foreign Office interfered.” She held out the missive, but Papa waved it away.

“Read it to me.”

“Very well.” She sank onto the chair next to his.

“Dear Sir Henry.”

He scoffed. “I’m not a dear anything to him.” He motioned with his hand for her to continue.

She nodded. “Unfortunately, my son Lord Sextus was unable to return to England. However, my son Lord Septimus, who is in the employ of the Home Secretary, is extremely interested in meeting your daughter. He is currently sailing to Canada. However, he will return in January. I trust this is acceptable.” She lowered the missive. “He signed it.”

Papa gave her a narrow-eyed look. “What do you think?”

She did not want to raise his hopes. Meg gnawed the inside of her bottom lip before answering. “I am willing to entertain his suit.”

“That’s my girl.” Her father leaned his head back against the chair. “Thank you.”

Margaret leaned down and kissed his papery cheek. “You are welcome.”

“If you don’t like him, you don’t have to marry him, but I want to know that you’ll give him a chance.”

“Yes, Papa. I will give him a chance.” In the meantime, she needed to find out as much as possible about this Lord Septimus as she could. “Shall I ring for some tea for you?”

“Yes. And come of Cook’s biscuits and sandwiches.”

Margaret tried not to show her shock. This was excellent. Her father’s appetite had decreased over the past month. She tugged the bell-pull. “I will see you at dinner.”

“You will. You will.”

She left the library and made her way to the morning room. Her mother’s death fourteen years ago, when Margaret had been just twelve had devastated both of them. They had held tightly to each other. It was probably the reason her father had not insisted on her having a London come out even though her aunt had offered to sponsor her. She had not wanted to leave Papa alone. What was Lord Septimus like? She pulled out a sheet of fine pressed paper and dipped her quill in the standish. There was only one friend she could trust with the news and who would also be able to tell her about his lordship.

Sutton Hall

The twenty-fifth day of April 1824

My dearest Amanda,

I have momentous news, and I wanted you to be the first to know. My father and His Grace of Somerset have arranged for his grace’s son Lord Septimus to meet me with the intention of a possible marriage. Do not be upset. I know how you feel about arranged marriages, but this is not exactly that. Papa has assured me that if I do not find him suitable, I need not wed him. So there. I am not being at all pressured. My problem is that I do need to wed someone, or I will have no heir. The entail specifies the next heir must be of my body. Fortunately, it can be either a girl or a boy.

I need a favor. You must discover everything you are able about Lord Septimus Trevor and his family. He is away from England but will return early next year.

Your loving friend,

MS

She tugged the bell-pull. Whittle, their butler knocked and stepped into the room. “Miss?”

Margaret held out the letter. “Have Toby take this to the post immediately. It is to go by express.”

“Yes, miss. May I say Lord Sutton is looking to be in much better spirits.”

“Yes.” Perhaps she should have done this sooner. Told him she would consider the gentleman. “I have agreed to entertain the suit of Lord Septimus Trevor when he returns in January.”

“Very good, miss.”

Maryville House, Mayfair, London

A knock came on the door and Amanda, Marchioness of Maryville glanced at her guest, Meg, Marchioness of Hawksworth. “Come.”

The butler entered. “My lady, I have an express letter for you. Would you like me to put it on your desk?”

“Where is it from?” Amanda frowned. Who would send her an express?

“It is from Little Somerby.”

From Margaret? Something must be amiss. “No. I will take it now.” Her butler handed her the missive and left the room. Amanda glanced at Meg. “Please excuse me. This is from one of my closest friends. She has never before sent me an express.”

“Of course.” Meg picked up her cup of tea. “I hope nothing is wrong.”

Amanda quickly perused the short note. “This is amazing. My friend, Miss Margaret Sutton will be entertaining the offer of a Lord Septimus Treavor when he returns in January.” Meg’s jaw dropped and she quickly shut it. “Is he related to you?”

“He is indeed.” Her eyes narrowed. “He is one of Hawksworth’s brothers. I sense the duke’s hand in this. Will you tell me what the letter says?”

“Yes, of course. She wants me to discover as much as I can about Lord Septimus. But I am not to consider it a match. Her father told her that she need not wed him. What can you tell me about him?”

Meg grinned. “What can you tell me about Margaret? My father-in-law has a habit of choosing completely ineligible spouses for my brothers. There must be something her father has that the duke wants.”

“Well, you need not be concerned about Margaret. She is perfectly lovely and the sole heir to her father’s estate.”

“Septimus is very nice as well. He spoke to my husband before he left for Canada. He is currently working for the Home Office Secretary but is not happy in the role. He has come to believe that he cannot support the current government.” She took another sip of tea. “I think marriage would be perfect for him.”

“I will not argue with you, but does he have wealth of his own? I would not want to see Margaret give up all she has to a gentleman who has nothing.”

Meg airily waved her hand. “There is no difficulty on that front. My husband made sure that all his brothers learned how to invest the allowances they receive from the dukedom. Septimus is more than able to support a family. He even has a house here in Mayfair.”

That sounded promising. “Hmm. On the surface, it appears that they could make a good match, but I am concerned about what Somerset might want from this marriage.”

Meg’s dark brows slanted down. “I am as well. Hawksworth might know.” She shook her head. “I will find out. Then we can work on a way to promote the match and foil Somerset’s.”

Amanda would ensure that Margaret made an excellent match, and, fall in love at the same time. “This is exciting. I have never engaged in matchmaking before.” It would be a great deal of fun. “I suppose we should discuss their personalities and what they like and dislike before we plan a wedding.”

“Yes, indeed. Tell me what Margaret is like. I assume she goes by Margaret and not Meg.”

“Indeed, she does. Her father as a special name for her, but to everyone else she is Margart. She is very independent and has run the estate with her father until his health began to fail. Now she is completely in charge. She is also active in the local town. I find her extremely easy-going, except on the subject of a Season. She has refused all offers to sponsor her for a come out.”

“Interesting.” Meg nodded. “Septimus as been on the Town for years. I know nothing about how conversant he is with estate management. But he is extremely bright and could learn. I do not know how he would feel if he was never in Town. He has lived here for several years.”

“That would probably be something they would have to discuss if they decided to wed.”

Meg raised her cup. “A toast to our successful endeavor.”

Amanda raised her cup as well. “Here, here!”