When they entered the breakfast room in Montagu House, John grimaced at the dark green walls. He hated the color, but he didn’t know what he’d like better. That was another reason for a wife. She would be able to decorate his home. With his approval, of course. He needed to be in control of his life. After selecting his food from the sideboard, he sat at the head of the table, where he found two cards to early entertainments and a note. He popped open the seals and perused them. Unfortunately, they were not the types of event to which young ladies were invited. If it hadn’t been for Parliament, he never would have come to Town so early. The letter was from the Earl of Worthington, inviting John to meet with a group of other like-minded peers for luncheon at Brooks’s. Once Worthington and his circle discovered John’s political leanings, they had taken him in. He would pen his acceptance after Giff left.

His butler entered the room holding a note. “My lord, this is from Lady Lytton.”

“Thank you, Lumner.” John opened the seal and scanned the short missive. “I’ve been invited to m’sister’s to join them for dinner. If you like, I’ll ask if you can come as well.”

Giff swallowed what he’d been chewing. “Do you think she’ll know some eligible ladies?”

“If she doesn’t, she’ll be happy to help.” That might keep her off John’s back. “I’ll send a note around asking.” It was actually a shame Aurelia, his twin, would not approve of the type of lady he wanted. Until their father had died, they’d agreed on almost everything or could understand the other’s point of view. Still, she could also help select events for him to attend. He thought back to the three ladies he’d seen earlier. Perhaps one of them would meet his qualifications. Hopefully the one he’d particularly noticed.

* * *

The next morning, John met with St. Albans to go riding again. Perhaps today he would arrive when the ladies he’d seen the other day did. “It is too bad you cannot attend Parliament.”

St. Albans gave John a confused look. “Why do you say that?”

“I was at a meeting at Worthington House yesterday. Several gentlemen I met have wives who will hold social events this Season. Of course, you know Turley. I believe even Littleton is supposed to be in Town this year. But I also met Exeter, who is a friend of Turley’s, and, of course, Worthington as well as some other peers.” John had been relieved they felt the same way about the Corn Laws, and the horrible event they now called Cinderloo, where miners protesting a cut in their wages had been massacred. “If you were a member, you would come to know the gentlemen more easily.”