“It is good for you, my son, to think about marriage. It can be surprisingly pleasant,” Kate tried to sound convincing, hoping to gain her son’s attention.

“With all due respect, Mother, I sincerely doubt marriage is something I would enjoy.”

“Every man says that before they marry, your father said the same,” she responded.

Edmund stuffed an entire biscuit into his mouth, and when Kate noticed, she reprimanded him as though he were still a young child.

“In a week, the social season begins, and it is important that you make it clear you are looking for a wife.”

“I won’t do that because it’s a lie.”

Kate rolled her eyes. She knew how to command respect, and she didn’t like anyone disobeying her orders.

“When we go to the opera on Saturday, you will accompany us. I require your presence. It is essential.”

“Of course, Mother. I’m sure the singer will be to my liking.”

“Edmund!”

The young man laughed.

“I was joking, Mother.”

Kate held her head in her hands. God knew she didn’t have an easy son, and his attraction to women was his undoing. No woman in her right mind, with so many suitors available, would agree to marry such a reckless and fickle man. Stability was what young women sought when they looked for a husband, and Edmund was hardly the type to provide it.

Edmund left the room, irritated. He knew that in his family, love stories were considered very important, and he respected that, but he considered himself different. He was already happy with what he had. Of course, it wasn’t what was expected, but he didn’t care for other people’s opinions.

Overwhelmed by the expectations placed upon him, he decided to change his thoughts and head to White’s, the gentlemen’s club. On his way, he ran into his cousin, Charles, and the two men walked together to the club.

As Edmund opened the door to the club, the familiar scent of alcohol flooded his senses.

“Bridgerton!” shouted a gentleman sitting at a table. “Come sit with us!”

“Burnst! Long time no see! Looks like you missed London.”

Mr. Burnst, the son of the Earl of Kinckerton, had been at Eton with Edmund, and they had known each other for years.

“More than I’d like to admit. I’ve come back to find a wife this season.”

“In London, there’s never a shortage of eligible young ladies, especially at this time of year,” Edmund said, taking a sip of his beer.

“Are you also planning to find a wife this season?”

“No. Marriage doesn’t interest me.”

“Well, Bridgerton, it’s been a pleasure to see you. I hope we’ll meet again at the opera this week. I hear the singer is Italian. The performance will be magnificent.” Burnst patted Edmund on the shoulder and left the club.

Edmund, surprised by the speed with which Burnst exited, decided to ask Kith about it.

“Kith, tell me, where is Burnst rushing off to in such a hurry?”

Kith looked at Edmund, slightly surprised.

“You haven’t heard?”

Edmund shook his head; he had no idea what the man was talking about.

“Lady Wentworth, Burnst’s aunt, was out in the countryside, somewhere in Somerset, I believe, and she met a young lady. From what I know, the young lady is of marrying age, and her parents despise London entirely.” Kith shrugged, as if bewildered by how anyone could hate London. “So Lady Wentworth decided to volunteer as her chaperone for the season.”

“So I suppose Burnst has romantic inclinations toward the young lady?” Edmund inquired, trying to probe further.

“I don’t think he knows her,” Kith said, finishing his drink in one gulp. “But if she caught Lady Wentworth’s attention, she must be someone special. I’m curious to meet her.”

Edmund didn’t pay much attention to the comment and continued conversing and drinking with the gentlemen of the club late into the night.

Days passed, and Edmund forgot about what Kith had said regarding Lady Wentworth, the young lady, and Burnst.

His mother, Kate, reminded him every day about the opera gathering with his family and other relatives.

His uncle Colin and aunt Penelope were celebrating their fifteenth wedding anniversary, and at the end of the month, they would host a grand reception at their home. Meanwhile, they were as affectionate as ever, making sure everyone knew how much they loved each other.

The opera gathering had been arranged because his aunt Penelope adored the opera.

His aunt Eloise and their cousins, who lived in Gloucestershire, were coming to stay at the family home for the season just to attend the reception.