Page 5 of The Mistletoe Duke

“Of course they will, with a duke inviting them.”

“No one has house parties in winter.”

“Exactly. It’s a brilliant idea. People will be clamoring to attend. Besides, clearly, you are not adept at meeting people on your own.”

“People?” He frowned at her. “I meet lots of people.”

“In gaming hells? What kind of quality people are those?”

Ah… “Dukes and earls, mostly.”

Her face scrunched up. “You know what I mean.”

“Do I?” He inspected his fingernails. Indeed, he knew where this was going. It always went there. With her. “The last thing I want, after a brutal session in Parliament, is a hunting party.”

“I have no idea what you mean.”

“Mother, you are so transparent. You’re having a party to trot out all the young fillies for my delectation. Their mamas must be slathering.”

“Honestly, Jonathan.” She sighed. “You are so full of yourself.”

He blinked.

“Whatever makes you think the party’s for you?”

“I’m the duke?”

“Precisely. Dukes can find their own mates.” She gave him a quick up and down. “When they are so inclined.”

“So who is this party for?”

“Whom.”

“Whom.” Honestly, she was so irritating at times.

“Meg Chalmers, of course.”

“Meg?” He didn’t boggle, but just barely. “She’s on the shelf.” Even as the words came out of his mouth, he felt a hot tide creep up his cheeks. He was genuinely fond of Meg, and she was younger than him. It was a shame that society marked her as too old for marriage.

His mother pinned him with a reproving glare he was certain he deserved. “She’s not yet four and twenty. I was older than that when I gave birth to you.”

“You’re throwing a party to find a husband for your companion?”

His mother batted her lashes. “I feel bad about what happened to her.”

So did he, in point of fact.

“Promise you will help.”

Dear God. “Help? How can I help?”

Her eyes lit up and she leaned closer. “You must invite your friends of course.” Her forehead wrinkled. “The decent ones.”

“That is quite a presumption.”

“Pardon?”

“That I have decent friends.”