“I’d hardly describe our little club as bloodthirsty, Your Grace. We’re a charitable organization. We believe in greater opportunities for females in the spheres of the Arts and Sciences.”

“I want to marry,” Belinda chimed in, “but not until I’ve had my debut at court. I’ve been practicing my presentation for months. I haven’t the slightest hint of wobble.” She performed an adroit curtsy, left knee locked firmly behind her right, with an impeccably smooth descent. “This is to be my year. I’m looking forward to at least forty balls, an equal number of parties, thirty dinners, and dozens of breakfasts. Not to mention the riding in Hyde Park, morning calls, and shopping excursions. You simply can’t take the Season away from me.”

“Course he can,” said Betsy. “He’s the duke. He can order us to be married and to cloister ourselves in the countryside and we must comply.” She nodded sharply. “And I heartily approve. I’ve no desire to mince about a dance floor, nor torture the ivories in front of an audience. I suppose I’ll have to marry someday, and one fellow’s interchangeable with another. I’ll manage it so he won’t interfere with my life.”

“Very sensible, Bets,” said the duke. “At least one of you is taking the news with equanimity. I don’t know why everyone is reacting with such dismay. I’ve saved you all a lot of nonsense and expense. I thought you wanted a husband, Blanche. I seem to recall you saying that your life would end if you hadn’t received a proposal by the end of the Season. Well, I’ve secured you not one, but two. I’m giving you a choice.”

“A choice between two men I don’t love and who have no affection for me.”

“What’s love got to do with it?” The duke accepted another glass of spirits from a footman and drank half the contents in one swallow. “Marriage isn’t about love. It’s a mutually beneficial business contract.”

It wasn’t Viola’s place to comment on the duke’s commandments, but these were her pupils, her friends. And she’d formed some very strong opinions on the subject of love. She’d witnessed her best friends finding, and being transformed by, true love. Her chance at finding the love of her life was gone and buried. She was resigned to life as a spinster, a caregiver to her father, and a doting aunt to her friends’ offspring.

But the duke’s sisters had every expectation, every right, to find their perfect matches. She couldn’t stand by and watch them be forced into loveless unions by the infuriating man pronouncing his sisters’ fates like some pitiless Greek god.