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son’s way. Naturally he wants nothing to do with any of them, but I must find him a bride soon. He desperately needs an heir and a spare.”
    “I’ve yet to meet a bachelor who did not resist marriage,” Lady Cowper said. “My advice is to trap him.”
    “Oh, dear,” Mrs. Norcliffe said. “I could not lower myself to such tactics.” Not yet, at any rate.
    Mrs. Drummond-Burrell, known as one of the highest sticklers, drew her quizzing glass to her eye. “You must find a way to entice Granfield. He will want someone young and pretty with at least ten thousand for her marriage portion.”
    Princess Esterhazy’s eyes twinkled. “A few years ago, that rakehell Mr. Darcett lured Miss Amy Hardwick into a cellar overnight. They were forced to wed.”
    “Oh, dear,” Mrs. Norcliffe said, fanning her face.
    “Let us not forget that His Grace has already inherited a fortune,” Lady Jersey said. “You need stronger inducement, Mrs. Norcliffe. I recommend an introduction to a beautiful young woman. If all goes well, he will conceive a grand passion for her.”
    “He’s likely to run the other way,” Mrs. Drummond-Burrell said. “The author of Pride and Prejudice got it wrong in my opinion. Everybody knows a single man in possession of a fortune must be in want of his freedom .”
    Lady Castlereagh cleared her throat. “The only thing that entices gentlemen is their clubs. They gamble, they drink, and they take snuff. How many lose and win fortunes every night? It is scandalous.”
    Mrs. Norcliffe smoothed her skirts. “I had hoped that he would accept Lady Bellingham’s invitation to dine. She had meant to invite Miss Lingley and her parents, but apparently my son begged off due to other commitments.”
    “Well, we all know what that means,” Lady Sefton said.
    Mrs. Norcliffe sighed. “Indeed, the clubs.”
    “I think they would live in them if possible,” Lady Cowper said.
    “Perish the thought,” Countess Lieven said.
    Lady Sefton pursed her lips. “I heard Lord Percival was found snoring beneath a gaming table at White’s—the next morning.”
    Mrs. Norcliffe clutched the arms of her chair. “God save Lady Percival.”
    “No need to worry,” Countess Lieven said. “They have an arrangement whereby he only comes home for the occasional dinner party in town. In autumn, he’s much taken with his hunting and dogs. Lady Percival is quite satisfied with her circumstances.”
    Lady Cowper snorted. “And with her young Italian lover who plays the harp.”
    Mrs. Norcliffe fanned her face. “How risqué.”
    Lady Cowper lifted her brows. “One hears he plays his instrument well.”
    “Oh, dear,” Mrs. Drummond-Burrell said. “We must take care not to venture into indecent topics.”
    Mrs. Norcliffe would never admit it, but she wished to hear more about the illicit Italian lover.
    “I pity you, Mrs. Norcliffe, but something must be done about Granfield,” Mrs. Drummond-Burrell said. “A dukedom is too important. However, I have a suggestion. Mrs. Osterham’s daughter Hortense is quite accomplished, and at eighteen, she is biddable. You could take her in hand and mold her into the perfect bride for your son.”
    Mrs. Norcliffe clasped her hands to her heart. “Thank you, Mrs. Drummond-Burrell. I’m much obliged.”
    “Perhaps you could introduce your son at the opening of Almack’s,” Countess Lieven said.
    Mrs. Norcliffe knew her son wouldn’t go near Almack’s unless there was an inducement. If something didn’t change soon, she feared Harry would end up a lifelong bachelor like his freewheeling pigheaded uncle before him, God rest his soul.
    “Do not fret, Mrs. Norcliffe,” Mrs. Drummond-Burrell said. “Dancing is the mode of courtship, is it not? Do we not encourage our fair offspring to find their perfectly suitable partners for life at a ball?”
    “Yes, of course,” Lady Sefton said, “but, Mrs. Norcliffe, I suspect you wish to make a point, do you not?”
    “Yes, indeed,”