Alec glanced around the room, noticing his friend, Lord Gabriel Bancroft, Baron Huntingford, dancing with his fiancée, Miss Gilbert.
Alec had been introduced to her by his father, but after conversing with her, he found himself unimpressed; their conversation was just a repetitive version of multiple conversations he had had with many other ladies in the past, and he thought her more suited to be a wife for his cousin's best friend, Bingley, than himself.
Like his brother and cousin, Alec had no interest in the type of lady who infantilized herself and tried to act more like a child than a grown individual in order to give the pretense of naivety.
Alec wasn't attracted to such behavior. Thankfully, Darcy and Richard, like himself, preferred intellectually stimulating partners who could challenge them. He knew not what he would do if he had to spend too much time with gentlemen with a fixation on the ideal image of an "angel." Bingley was irksome enough; he didn't understand how Darcy dealt with him.
He shook his head; it wasn't surprising to him that many women chose to act in this manner instead of showcasing themselves as intelligent, opinionated individuals. He knew why many of them behaved that way - society expected it from them.
Naivete and complete ignorance towards the reality of the world were traits that many gentlemen of the Ton favored in their spouses. Most preferred women who could be molded like clay, while a few were brave enough to seek out those with their own uniqueness and originality.
Miss Gilbert was just like many other ladies who tried to live up to society's standards of femininity. Alec felt compassion towards her despite his own lack of interest in her. He introduced her to his friend Gabriel, someone with similar preferences as Bingley, who could potentially be a suitor for her.
Alec knew that Gabriel had recently inherited his father's estate, but it came with some debts due to his father's gambling addiction. However, it wasn't Gabriel's fault that he'd been born into such a situation; Alec understood that feeling, as he too had grown up knowing the consequences of being born to a libertine father. Ultimately, people have no control over who their parents are. Gabriel needed an heiress; Miss Gilbert had a good dowry, and she was seeking a titled husband. Alec simply acted as Cupid, bringing them together.
Alec let out a chuckle as he pondered the thought of being a successful matchmaker. Then, his gaze fell upon a young lady and middle-aged gentleman who were approaching him from afar.
Lady Cordelia and Lord Denbridge? What were they doing here in London? Hadn't they conspired enough with his father to throw Lady Cordelia into Alec's path? Had they been trailing him all along? Or was this just a coincidence, since they moved in the same social circles? Whatever it was, Alec didn't want to confront them.
Alec attempted to make a quick escape, but it was too late. Lady Cordelia was already upon him, and there was no way he could avoid her. She had been trying to capture his attention for months, but Alec had no interest in her. He was amused by her forwardness, but it didn't make her any more attractive to him.
"Lord Fitzwilliam , how delightful to see you here!" Lady Cordelia exclaimed, batting her eyelashes coquettishly.
"Good evening, Lady Cordelia, Lord Denbridge," Alec replied, attempting to conceal his discomfort.
Lord Denbridge, a portly man with thinning hair, nodded in acknowledgement. "Alec, my boy," he said, "how are you? I hear that you have been keeping well."
"I'm doing quite well, thank you, my lord," Alec replied with a polite smile.
"Excellent, excellent," Lord Denbridge continued, oblivious to Alec's discomfort. "And how is your father? I haven't seen him in some time."
"He's doing well, thank you for asking," Alec replied, trying to keep the conversation brief.
Lady Cordelia interjected, "Oh, I do hope your father will be able to attend our ball next week. It would truly mean a lot to me and it simply wouldn't be the same without him."
Alec forced a smile. "I will certainly pass on the invitation, my lady."
"Please do!" replied Lady Cordelia, her eyes flashing with hope. "And perhaps you could accompany me to the ball? I would be ever so grateful for your company."
Alec hesitated for a moment before replying, "I'm afraid I've already made other arrangements for that evening, Lady Cordelia. Perhaps another time."
Lady Cordelia's face fell, but she quickly recovered. "Of course, another time then. It was lovely seeing you, Lord Fitzwilliam ." She curtsied and turned to leave with her father.
Alec breathed a sigh of relief as they walked away. He couldn't understand why Lady Cordelia was so persistent in her pursuit of him. He had made it clear that he had no interest in her, but she seemed to be of the opinion that persistence would eventually pay off.
Her father had even recommended his highly experienced former steward to Alec's estate, much to Alec's dismay, and Alec had no choice but to hire him on Lord Matlock's insistence. Although Mr. Jenkins had done a satisfactory job thus far, it still rankled Alec that he'd been told what to do with his own estate.
Alec decided to go to the refreshment table situated in front of a wide window; perhaps losing himself in a glass of port would help him gather his thoughts. As he walked, something beyond the window caught his eye. Across the road stood a lady, holding a black parasol, lost in thought. Recognizing her from their previous encounter at Watson's, Alec paused for a moment to take a closer look. She stood at a distance, with an impenetrable expression and her dark eyes fixed on something with such intensity that Alec thought she might burn him into ashes if she ever gazed at him like that. However, idea of getting consumed by that flame didn't scare Alec; instead, it excited him in some strange way.
