"The groom always smiles proudly because he's convinced he's accomplished something quite wonderful. The bride smiles because she's been able to convince him of it." —Judith McNaught

Excerpt from the gossip section of "The Ledger"

There is a state of intense euphoria among the ladies of the ton for the upcoming season as the most eligible bachelor of London Lord Oliver Kentshire, heir to the dukedom of Kentshire has been rumoured to finally find the bride. After the wedding of the crown prince, the prince's best friend has decided to settle down. The ladies have been waiting for this handsome and elusive gentleman to finally come to the marriage mart. 

Along with Lord Oliver Kentshire's friendship with the crown prince, the Kentshire's are the descendants of the royal family from centuries ago and had been able to stay close to the crown.  And with his younger brother's Lord William Kentshire's political career on the rise, the Kentshire will make no mistake in finding the perfect lady with the perfect family to be the future Duchess of Kentshire. All the member of the influential families all over Britain has also started planning to impress the Kentshire in order to be part of this elite family.

The Ledger is excited to find which family will be successful enough to unite with Kentshires.  It will be the most engaging tale to find which lucky lady will be able to catch the attention of the gentleman with eyes as dark as night.

*****

Lord Oliver Kentshire maintained his impassive expression as his youngest brother Nicholas read the excerpt from the Ledger as his entire family waited for him to jestingly deny the news. But the denial never came and everyone knew it is better to keep their mouth shut in front of eldest Kentshire except Lord Sebastian, the third Kentshire sibling.

"So you have decided to willingly sacrifice yourself to those vultures," Sebastian said before biting into his muffin.

"Oh quiet, Seb. It is time all of you start finding decent ladies and get married. I am immensely happy, Oliver. I thought I will never be able to play with my own grandchildren. I was so worried I will never be able to brag about my adorable grandchildren in those weekly tea parties," Lady Faith said relieved, "We should invite all our friends and their daughters for the dinner. I heard Eva's daughter has recently debuted in society."

"Mother, do calm down. Let us leave for our estates and then you can plan as much as soiree as you want, invite as much as ladies you want to sacrifice your eldest son," Nicholas said chuckling.

"I would have been happy if you would really leave for your estate but all of us know you, Seb and Luke are going philandering," Lord Kentshire said snorting, "By the by Luke, how is Caro?" Lord Kentshire directed his question to Luke.

"I do not know, uncle. I am thinking of visiting home this season. I do not want my mother to aim a gun at my head for not visiting her for so long," Lucas said with a hint of fear.

"Oh, we haven't visited Raymond estate for so long either. We should spend this Christmas at Raymond manor. Hopefully with a daughter in law," Lady Faith said excitedly.

"Marvelous idea mother," Nick said agreeably," Oliver will need a respite from signing innumerable dance cards in the season and William's brain will also need rest from spending it too much on political nonsense."

While everyone engaged in the talk of Raymond manor and preparation of their holidays while the topic of Oliver's bride was pushed back in their minds. William was planning on taking up as head of the liberal party soon and he was going to be his brother's shadow leaving no room for mistakes while searching for the future Duchess of Kentshire.

*****

Oliver has been attending every grand ball in London hoping to find a suitable lady to become the future Duchess of Kentshire. He did find a number of debutantes that will be the perfect duchess but they were too pretentious and boring.

In a month of the season, he didn't rest from his bride hunting mission. After all, being the eldest of Kentshire it was his duty to provide the heirs but he was on the verge of losing his sanity at the same dull conversation with eager women and their mothers. 

He should count the lucky stars that no debutante has tried to trap him in the unwanted marriage. Humiliating as it was, he always kept a chaperone to discourage the debutante from attacking him personally. His younger brother William understood this predicament more than anyone and always accompanied him. 

William has recently risen to prominence as a politician in the parliament. Any scandal cannot only ruin his family's name but affect his career adversely. Maintaining the reputation of his family was of paramount importance. It was now time for Oliver to find the least boring lady to get married and end this torture before anyone try to make a scandal out of Kentshire name.

"Lord Kentshire, how do you find this evening?" Lord Jones asked, a young lady standing beside him eager to be introduced.

It has become a routine, nowadays even conversation with men turned into one of them introducing one more lady to Oliver mostly their sisters, sometimes distanced relative. It seems like every young lady above 17 from all over Great Britain has arrived in London for this particular season to ensnare the most eligible bachelor of England. 

"Wonderful, the host hasn't spared anything for the celebration," He answered waiting for Lord Jones to get to his point of introductions.

"I would like to introduce you to my niece, Miss. Reene Jones," Lord Jones without wasting time on frivolous chit chat.

Miss Jones did the perfect curtsy and started fluttering her eyelashes which were supposed to be enchanting but all Oliver wanted to do was flee and never look at another woman. But he did what was expected of him.

"I wonder if your dance card has an empty spot for me, Miss Jones," He said with his most charming self.

At which whether Miss Jones turned all crimson he would never know as her face was already covered with an artificial blush on her cheeks.

"My next dance is available, my lord, " she said instantly.

Her first season it is then! Oliver learned all the tricks and tact of the woman trying to catch his attention. The one who looks with hero worship in their eyes and answers immediately to his request was merely out of the schoolroom attending their first or second ball. Those who took time and gives him another place at dance card and act more controlled had certain experiences in the ballroom most of the time depending on how many seasons they have attended. 

Along with subtle hints of waiting for a proposal from bachelor women's, there was also an increase in the number of proposals for the post of his mistresses. He didn't understand why the married ladies of the ton started showing interest in him? And the widows' were the most dangerous species he came across. The one who didn't care about their reputation tends to put him in a compromising position.

"Well, I would claim your next dance then, do excuse us, Lord Jones," Oliver said taking the lady's hand.

The dance with ladies was the same every time. Same shy smiles, same conversation with the same steps. The need for a getaway in merely the first month of the season was overwhelming. If he didn't get a respite he might consider staying a bachelor for his entire life which would be upsetting for a lot of people especially his mother. 

He sometimes wished to have a life as his younger brother's Nicholas and Sebastian, they do not have to carry the burden of bearing the heir. They can simply stay a bachelor if they decide to be, but then again their mother will not sit still even with one of her children unmarried.

The next morning Kentshires started preparing for their travel to the Duchy of Raymond for Christmas. Oliver was fully aware that when he returns to London after the new year he will be announcing his engagement to the least boring lady he has come across. So, he started making a list of all the ladies he has been introduced to so far with the intention of getting married. The door of the study opened to reveal Lady Faith.

"Ah! There is my boy."

"Is everything alright mother?" Oliver asked, "Do you need any help?"

"I have been Duchess of Kentshire for so long, I do not need help with anything," Lady Faith said sitting in front of Oliver, "but I am also have been a mother for so long. When one of my sons needs help I will be there even if they do not ask this old bloke."

"Mother, you do know that we won't hesitate to ask you if we need anything," He said his concentration fully on his mother.

"Being a mother also means realizing the woe's of our children before they do."

He chuckled at his mother, knowing fully well you can never win with the duchess of Kentshire, not even her politician son William.

"How about you just tell me the solution to my dilemma, mother?"

"I wish I had a solution to your dilemma son, but I do not, but I came here to tell you that it is all right. I know, being the eldest of Kentshire you have put so much pressure on yourself to walk in the footsteps of your ancestors. But marriage is not a deal, choosing someone who fits perfectly with the standard notion of society. If you want to get married do it for yourself, the one who will walk with you through hell side by side.  William, society and I will try and push the women we think are perfect towards you but it will be your final decision to choose the one you want to spend your entire life with."

"I will keep that in mind, mother. Thank you," He said smiling gratefully at his mother. 

"And by the by, forget about this bride hunting during Christmas. Relax and enjoy yourself," Lady Faith said walking toward the door.

"And do think of Caro too. All of us love her very much and I think she will make you an excellent wife," Lady Faith added while exiting, chuckling to herself.

-------------------------------------------------

If you like this chapter please like, comment, share and subscribe.