He Shall Be An Interesting Match He Shall....
T'is Always A Pleasure Turning A Rake Into A Gentleman
- [The MatchMaker]
T'is Always A Pleasure Turning A Rake Into A Gentleman
- [The MatchMaker]
The morning was always the best hours for him. Already Geoffrey had been to the docks to check on the his latest shipment. He was a gentleman merchant, a businessman. It was the way he got his family out of the debt his father singlehandedly sunk them in. Everyone that was anyone among the elite social climbing within Venice knew that his father, though a good man, had very little business sense. So, it was no surprise when his family learned that his father had swindled family funds. What had surprised them was the extent to which he had sunken himself in debt. They all expected he would at least inform his wife of how deep a mess he made and she would devise a way to sort everything out. But, that hadn’t happened. Instead his father kept his troubles to him self, carried them to his grave as he departed from the family that loved him so much. Death had been swift and final. Taking the man away in the shape of one whiskey bottle too many. From that moment on, it had been up to Geoffrey Bradford the eldest son and child to lead the large brood of siblings. He had taken on the job with a resolve that could not be denied. His grandmother was the Grand Duchess of Lyon and all in her family were known to rise to any challenge placed before him, and he was no expectation.
His mother was the Duchess’s fourth child, but they only born of her second marriage. Because her eldest brother would be the one with the burden of the title Duke of Lyon, Geoffrey’s mother had been free to marry at her heart’s leisure. And, her heart called out to one man, Lucius Bradford. Though the title was not as extensive as the one her brother held. It was acceptable in the sight of all for the young sister of the duke to marry the Marquis. And, marry him she did. She also bore him six children, and like her mother, she gave to her husband a son first. This son would find himself surrounded by first, second and third male cousins. All of them trained to be the perfect gentleman. But, none of them would turn out exactly the way the family planned. His uncle and aunts sons were mischievous and always getting into some sort of problem. They were known as rascals and rakes shortly after their first ball. And, while Geoffrey was much like his cousins, he did not make it a habit to continually thrust his name into the lime light. Which, was much easier for him to achieve seeing as he did not directly carry the same surname as his cousins. Though, when he and his seven male cousins were together, they were often called the Rascals of Lyon.
It was after his first season however, that he learned responsibility in a manner his cousins would later in life. While they were being pampered by the ton and the family, Geoffrey withdrew to the study that once belonged to his father. Upon his father’s sudden death, he had been charged with the bills and the cares for his family and it was a job he took seriously. With a quick mind, a whim and a prayer; he made the biggest gamble of his life. It would come in the form of shipping trades, merchandise, horse flesh and finally vineyards. He had paid off the debts and also restored his family’s name and wealth. What was more important to him was that he did it on his own. There had been much talk that the new Marquis would depend heavily upon the pocket of his grandmother. Perhaps there was still talk that he had, but those that knew him, his family, knew that the restoration of the Bradford name laid solely on the shoulders of Geoffrey Damien Bradford, The Marquis of Bradford.
The Marquis had currently returned to his private lodgings where his butler was waiting eagerly for his return, “ Sir, there are a few missives for you in the study. They were delivered to us early this morning while you were about your errands” Stephan had been with Geoffrey’s family since his days as a toddler and he was proud to serve the young lord in such a capacity. He was also more family than servant, which was why his next words would not come as a surprise to Geoffrey, “ I took the liberty of looking through the missives to find one addressed to you from your grandmother. I dear say that is of the upmost importance. She let it be known that you have yet to visit her as a grandson should since your return to London. You will recall how long you left for the colonies in search of buyers for the steeds. The entire family is egger for your return.”
“It is not the eagerness for my return that worries me, but the plans that my grandmother has for my future gives me great concern. You would think at this age she would leave me to care for myself,” He shrugged out of the tight royal blue overcoat he wore early that morning. The hat and cane were laid on the table in the study that had become his sanctuary.
“I am sure the Grand Duchess only has your best wishes at heart,” Stephan gathered the articles that were left behind, “ it would be remiss of you not to attend to her needs. She is your beloved grandmother.”
Geoffrey laughed, “aye beloved she is and she knows it well. How else would she know to send a missive to have me rush to her side. The woman is shrewder than most men. Think you I don’t know what she has been doing on behalf of the family and her desire for great grand? Yes, I have heard of the party she wishes to hold in my honor. I also know she has invited the ‘matchmaker’ to the event. Does she think then that she can tangle me in marriage much the way she has tricked not one but three of my cousins already? I am not so easily to manipulate and she will soon learn this truth. One too many times my grandmother has tried to manipulate me. But, in this I fear she will fail.” Chuckling because he did indeed love his grandmother and her quick wit, he moved to his desk to reply to the missive his grandmother sent to him. “Have a chap ready within the hour. I’m sure my grandmother is eagerly awaiting my reply.”
Stephan smiled and bowed as he left the study. His smile remained glued to his lips as he moved about the house. His lord was no fool. Indeed it was true his grandmother wished to see her grandson married and she had enlisted the aid of the matchmaker. What Geoffrey did not know was that it was not simply his grandmother that made the decision to interfere, it had been his mother and sisters also. They all believed he now needed someone to care for him after years of him caring for them. Yes, the females of the family had come together and they had decided and he could not help but agree with the decision made. It was time his lord took a wife , it was time for babes to fill the lodgings that had been empty for far too long, save for the two of them. The servant couldn’t help but whistle as she went to send for a young chap to run the missive over to the Duchess in the Marquis’s carriage.
The day rushed by only to find Geoffrey in one of his three parlors, with a glass of port in his hand. Earlier during the day he visited his mother and siblings as was his habit. Currently, one of his sisters was planning her marriage thanks to this matchmaker that his grandmother hired to meddle in her grandchildren’s lives. Geoffrey would admit that her sister seemed happy with the offer of marriage. And, she did seem to carry feelings for the man. Geoffrey had been more concerned with the man’s intentions to provide for his sister and the man’s history with business and gambling. He was not about to allow his sister to marry a man that could possibly destroy her. His father was partly responsible for that requirement. How could he not be when he had left his family with next to nothing to survive on. Love and happiness were great to have in a family, but money was also a requirement especially in a family as large as his own.
The next stop he made was to his cousin’s lodgings where quite a few of his cousins were in attendance. He had been filled in on the latest news since his departure to the colonies. Things seemed to be relatively the same. Naturally, his cousins saw the need to taunt him about the ball their grandmother, aunt planned in his honor. They also mentioned the matchmaker whom they were all sure had a list of all of their names. But, luckily for now he would be the main attraction and that would give them months of freedom because of the new found distraction. Geoffrey found him self grinning at his cousins knowing that he would not be the one matched but that their grandmother had a better chance with any of them before him.
He was still in a jovial mood when his carriage pulled into his grandmother’s courtyard. Geoffrey took another sip of the port in his hand as he recalled the conversation between his grandmother and himself. The woman was hell bent on getting him to settle down. It was time for him to do so, she had bossily informed him. The grey haired woman was impressive and in total command as she ordered her grandson to take a seat. She poured him tea that he normally would have declined, but instead sipped obediently. Geoffrey sat through a lecture that lasted about an hour before he called an end to his grandmother’s ranting. The last words she echoed to him before he left the salon where she had imprisoned him was, that he should not be late for the ball tonight. He was after all the guest of honor.
“Guest of honor,” he finished the port and set the glass on top of the fireplace. “The woman is trying to marry me off to the first woman that is available. I’m nothing more than an ornament she wishes to throw to the lion’s den.” For years, Geoffrey managed to say away from the hungry eyes and devious minds of the mother’s of the ton. Now, his grandmother was thrusting him into their arms without a care. He shook his head even as he headed out the door for the ball that would begin within the hour. He had been ordered to wear something that bought out his eyes. Geoffrey settled instead for a plane white shirt, with a grey vest and a grey overcoat and a cane, his favorite accessory. His breeches matched the grey of his vest and overcoat. Standing at six foot three inches, he looked very distinguished in his tailor made suit. Because, he had washed his hair there was a slight curl to the black strands at the nape of his neck. With his hair pulled away from his face every distinct angle of his face was a testimony of his aristocratic heritage. He was a man, the son of a marquis and the grandson of the grand duchess and the ball tonight was to be held in his honor. Tonight, he would be the lamb taken to the slaughter house and he could only pray he came out alive. Leaving the safety of his home he climbed inside his carriage and was taken to the destination of his demise. His grandmother’s lodgings where the ball was being held. And, he knew that the entire ton would make an appearance or at least try to; there was no function that his grandmother held that was not well attended by the ton. He only wished he had another drink before he left. The night could only hold disaster.
