“Or invite him to Brooks’s for dinner?” Madeline wondered how set the duke’s political ideas were. After all, others had been brought around.
“Yes.” He gave her a look of approval. “That would give me an opportunity to quickly discover if he’s interested in the same issues I am.” He took one of her hands in his. “Thank you.”
Heat rushed into her face at his compliment. “It is nothing. I like to help people.”
Harry liked that Madeline was so good at helping.
The server arrived and rattled off the ices of the day, and he had to release her hand.
She addressed the server. “They all sound so interesting, but chocolate is always my favorite.”
“One chocolate.” He turned to Harry. “Sir?”
“You mentioned Parmesan. I’d like to have that.”
“I’ll be back in a moment.” The man went running off.
“You live dangerously,” Madeline said.
He stifled his laugh. He could see it would always be chocolate for her. “I’ve had ices, but never a Parmesan ice. Is eating different things part of the pleasure in coming here?”
Her eyes narrowed, as if he was trying to trick her. “Maybe.”
Harry didn’t know when he’d had this much fun. “Would you like a taste of my ice?”
She tilted her head, as if to study him from a different angle. “A very tiny taste.”
“You may trust me. I would never attempt to talk you out of chocolate. But you may always live dangerously by tasting a minuscule bite of mine.”
She looked at him from beneath her dark lashes. “Thank you, kind sir.”
“Minx.” Harry laughed and was pleased to see Madeline did as well. “Here are our ices.”
He paid the man, then handed his small spoon to her. “Tell me if you like it.”
She took a small amount, tasted it, and wrinkled her nose. “Thank you. I shall eat my chocolate.”
Harry ate some of his. It was interesting, to be sure. But he might have liked the chocolate better. All too soon they had finished. “It is time I took you home.”
Her eyes widened again. “I almost forgot. Almack’s is tonight.”
“So it is. I will see you there.” He took up the ribbons again and started the carriage. “Do you know what other entertainments you will be attending in the near future?”
Madeline shook her head. “All we have been thinking about is tonight. I’m sure Grace will know.”
It occurred to him that his sisters would as well. He came to a stop in front of Worthington House and managed to lift her down before a footman could reach them, then had trouble releasing her. He had to force his fingers one by one to let her go. That had never happened to him before. When they attained the door, he bowed. “Until this evening.”
She executed a graceful curtsey. “I am looking forward to it.”
He watched her enter the house and returned to the curricle. It was time to pick his eldest sister’s brain.
When he found her, Dotty had already doffed her carriage gown and was now wearing a day dress. “I need help.”
“That I did not doubt.” She tugged the bell-pull and lowered herself onto the morning room’s small sofa. “What is this about?”
“Madeline.” He sat on the chair next to her. “I am very interested in her.”
“I see.” His sister sat for so long without saying anything, Harry began to wonder if something was wrong. “Do you know if she might be interested in you as well?”
“She seemed to have enjoyed my company.” But how could he be sure she wanted to spend more time with him? Perhaps she was simply being a well-bred lady. “Are you aware of a problem?”
“Not at all. Her mother might not like the match, but she did not like Louisa’s match with Rothwell or Augusta’s with Phinn either.”
Harry felt his mouth drop open and shut it. “She didn’t like a duke?”
“Not that duke. You might not know that when Louisa met him, he was almost broke.”
That made more sense. “But about Madeline? I would like to know which entertainments she is attending so I may make sure I am invited and can ask her to dance.”
Parkin arrived with the tea tray and placed it on the table in front of Dotty, and she handed him a cup. “I predict you will be invited to most if not all of the events she will attend. Matt has the same rules for them as he had for Charlotte, Louisa, Augusta, and me. One event per evening, departing immediately after supper.” She stirred sugar into her tea. “This evening, Grace will offer a supper at Worthington House because the only thing available at Almack’s is stale bread and butter and dry cake. I can ensure you are invited.” She took a sip and put the cup down. “Harry, you must make sure she wants what you have to offer. A few weeks is not long enough to truly get to know someone. Use the time wisely.”
He finished his tea, took a few sandwiches, and some biscuits. “I will.” After all, this was the rest of his life. “Thank you.”
His sister nodded absently. “Until dinner.”
How had he never noticed how knowing his sister was? It was almost as if she were the elder between them. In that way, she reminded him more of their grandmother than their mother. Yet she was correct. Madeline had told him she liked to help people, but did that mean she would like to be the wife of a politician? And would her mother cause a problem? He wished he could disregard Madeline’s mother, but he could not afford to be ostracized if she disapproved. He finished the last of his sandwiches. First things first. He had to discover what Madeline wanted. But other than a husband and family, had she even thought about it?
* * *
A few hours later, he entered Almack’s with Dotty and Merton.
“If you want to immediately get in her good graces, you will obtain permission to dance the waltz with her,” Merton said. Dotty looked at him in shock, and he shrugged. “Even I knew that. Harry, here is exactly what you must say: ‘I would like to be recommended to Lady Madeline Vivers as a suitable partner for the waltz.’” After Harry repeated it back, Merton glanced at Dotty. “Who do you suggest, my love?”
She looked around the room. “Mrs. Drummond-Burrell is not occupied at the moment. Harry”—Dotty looped her arm with his—“come with me.”
“I shall be with Matt and Grace.” Merton headed toward the couple.
Harry had heard about the Lady Patronesses of Almack’s, but he’d never thought he’d meet one.
“Clementina,” his sister said to a rather stern-looking woman. “I have brought my elder brother to be presented to you. This is Mr. Harry Stern. Harry, Mrs. Drummond-Burrell.”
He immediately made his best bow. “A pleasure, ma’ am.”
“My lady,” the woman said. “I can see the resemblance. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Stern.” She gave him a languid look. “Is there anything with which I may assist you?”
Harry swallowed in spite of himself and repeated what his brother-in-law had told him to say.
“Well done, sir.” She placed her hand on his arm. “Lady Merton, will you lead the way?”
Harry had the feeling of being led into battle by two frigates. They arrived to where Madeline was standing just as he noticed some fribble in a light-blue suit being brought their way by another lady.