pregnant. His father was certain that the odds favored a boy this time. Itching to prove him wrong, Grant still did not mention how Franklin Drake had managed to have seven girls. All he could do was wait the allotted time to see if he would indeed be cut off.
When he remained silent, Bedford continued. “I think it is time you found a more permanent situation. There are many rich cits out there dying to marry their daughters off to some gentry. Is it not time for you to consider that?”
Grant spoke honestly when he stated, “I have, Father.”
“I can give you a list of the best choices. The girls are not much to look at, but once you do your duty, you need never bother with them again.”
And there it was in a nutshell. His father's pragmatic approach to a wife and family. A man only had to put up with his wife for the time it took to produce a son. There was no need for affection or love. The cold, hard truth was that any woman he married would be a means to an end. She would gain entry to society, and he would never again have to worry about how to pay his tailor. In his father's eyes, it was a definite win-win.
Yet, there was a reason why Grant had not married so far. He might use women for profit and pleasure, but he never let them think his affections went beyond that. It turned his stomach to think of using another human being in such a way. If only he could find a girl who would be content with such a situation. A girl who would be content with a part-time husband. He doubted such a girl existed.
Wanting to end the audience as soon as possible, Grant said, “Thank you, Father. I would appreciate your insight.”
A half-smile graced the duke's lips, making the man look more animal than human. “I bet you would. What you most like is to be my heir, but Reggie came first. He will soon provide me with a grandson and the line will continue.”
Releasing his breath, Grant asked, “Is that all, Father? I am expected elsewhere today.”
Snorting his disbelief, Bedford waved his hand in dismissal. Rising from the chair, Grant took his leave without another word. As he approached the front door, Jennings was waiting with his coat and hat. Neither man exchanged a word, and Grant was soon out the door. The whole meeting took less than fifteen minutes.
Making his way back to his apartment, Grant thought about what his father had said. It was time for him to take a wife. It was time to give up his freedom to obtain some security. He had little chance of capturing an heiress from among society. No father would allow his daughter to marry a penniless second son, especially knowing how tight-fisted Bedford was. No, he would have to find a social-climbing cit to sell his daughter for the chance to hobnob with the ton.
He would await his father's list and see what the old man came up with. Surely there would be at least one girl that he wouldn't object to marrying. There would have to be one girl that he could stomach living out his life with, even after a son was produced. Grant certainly hoped so, though in his heart, he seriously doubted it.
********
Instead of going back to his own home, Grant walked to Drake's townhouse. It was too early to make calls, but he thought that Alysanne would welcome him in all the same. As he knocked on the door, excitement filled him. It had been too long since he'd seen the only girl he'd deflowered.
The Drake butler answered the door with all the air of the best butlers of London. Giving away nothing, the man asked, “May I help you?”
Pulling out his card, Grant handed it to the butler. “I am here to see Lady Essex.”
The stoic man examined his card in great detail. Moving aside, he allowed Grant access to the foyer. After he closed the door behind Grant, the butler spoke again.
“Yes, Lord Grant, I remember you from Lady Essex's wedding. I am afraid she is not home at the moment. She is presenting Lady
When he remained silent, Bedford continued. “I think it is time you found a more permanent situation. There are many rich cits out there dying to marry their daughters off to some gentry. Is it not time for you to consider that?”
Grant spoke honestly when he stated, “I have, Father.”
“I can give you a list of the best choices. The girls are not much to look at, but once you do your duty, you need never bother with them again.”
And there it was in a nutshell. His father's pragmatic approach to a wife and family. A man only had to put up with his wife for the time it took to produce a son. There was no need for affection or love. The cold, hard truth was that any woman he married would be a means to an end. She would gain entry to society, and he would never again have to worry about how to pay his tailor. In his father's eyes, it was a definite win-win.
Yet, there was a reason why Grant had not married so far. He might use women for profit and pleasure, but he never let them think his affections went beyond that. It turned his stomach to think of using another human being in such a way. If only he could find a girl who would be content with such a situation. A girl who would be content with a part-time husband. He doubted such a girl existed.
Wanting to end the audience as soon as possible, Grant said, “Thank you, Father. I would appreciate your insight.”
A half-smile graced the duke's lips, making the man look more animal than human. “I bet you would. What you most like is to be my heir, but Reggie came first. He will soon provide me with a grandson and the line will continue.”
Releasing his breath, Grant asked, “Is that all, Father? I am expected elsewhere today.”
Snorting his disbelief, Bedford waved his hand in dismissal. Rising from the chair, Grant took his leave without another word. As he approached the front door, Jennings was waiting with his coat and hat. Neither man exchanged a word, and Grant was soon out the door. The whole meeting took less than fifteen minutes.
Making his way back to his apartment, Grant thought about what his father had said. It was time for him to take a wife. It was time to give up his freedom to obtain some security. He had little chance of capturing an heiress from among society. No father would allow his daughter to marry a penniless second son, especially knowing how tight-fisted Bedford was. No, he would have to find a social-climbing cit to sell his daughter for the chance to hobnob with the ton.
He would await his father's list and see what the old man came up with. Surely there would be at least one girl that he wouldn't object to marrying. There would have to be one girl that he could stomach living out his life with, even after a son was produced. Grant certainly hoped so, though in his heart, he seriously doubted it.
********
Instead of going back to his own home, Grant walked to Drake's townhouse. It was too early to make calls, but he thought that Alysanne would welcome him in all the same. As he knocked on the door, excitement filled him. It had been too long since he'd seen the only girl he'd deflowered.
The Drake butler answered the door with all the air of the best butlers of London. Giving away nothing, the man asked, “May I help you?”
Pulling out his card, Grant handed it to the butler. “I am here to see Lady Essex.”
The stoic man examined his card in great detail. Moving aside, he allowed Grant access to the foyer. After he closed the door behind Grant, the butler spoke again.
“Yes, Lord Grant, I remember you from Lady Essex's wedding. I am afraid she is not home at the moment. She is presenting Lady
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