“The right side consists of old, mundane gentlemen. Surely, most of them are drowning in their wealth, but...” Alison’s body shuddered. “They are not very agreeable companions.”

“What Alison means to say is that they are boring, old farts,” Bonnie whispered, hurriedly looking around if anyone heard her.

“Sister!” Her twin swiftly covered her mouth to suppress the treacherous giggles. “Sometimes I cannot believe your audacity.”

“Oh, please,” Bonnie dramatically rolled her eyes. “If you absolutely must wander to the other side than by any means possible avoid looking men in the eyes. They are like starving hyenas, waiting for nothing more but a single clue to devour you.”

“Dear God,” Edit’s innocent eyes widened with worry.

Alison nervously fiddled with the golden ornament on her wrist. “Exactly. Remember to stay away from Lord Tinley, he’s a truly vile and twisted old pervert. Nothing good can come out of his mouth,” she discretely pointed at the chubby and undersized, but elegantly dressed man with overgrown sideburns.

Lord Tinley was leaning against the refreshments table, greedily filling his plate with chocolate desserts. His face was unusually small and round, with barely noticeable black eyes which comically reminded me of a famished rat.

“Tinley is ancient,” Jared added. “I am sure your father would never allow for this man to put his glutinous hands on you. And neither would I entrust him with my dear sister. Besides he is hardly the one you should warn them about, Lady Alison,” his voice turned from stern to derisive.

“You are right,” Alison glanced at her twin sister before she faced us again. “Never, never, ever,” she emphasized her words slowly and loudly. “Address or peek at His Grace Baxter Read. Never, do you hear me ladies?” Her bright eyes darted to me and then back to Edith.

I heard Jared and Richards howling with laughter, clutching they stomachs as their bodies shook with uncontrollable tremors.

“Is he that bad?” I watched Alison’s and Bonnie’s widened eyes as they nodded in unison.

“Oh. What has he done to deserve such hatred?”

“Nothing offensive or such,” Alison assured me before glancing up at the ceiling. “However-”

“-He is as mind-numbing and bland as a drying paint on a brick wall,” Bonnie finished for her, her eyes twinkling with humor.

“Actually, haven’t young ladies made up a rule about him?” Andrew Richards turned to Alison.

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“Yes, Your Grace. You see, he is very young and wealthy. At first debutantes’ mothers were very keen to offer him their daughter’s hand in marriage. But when the poor girls actually had the chance to speak with him, well, let’s say they ran like the wind to get away. After that they made a sacred set of rules. First and foremost: never ever acknowledge him. Second, never glance his way. If he does initiate the conversation, a Lady must be apathetic and vague – however still polite - keep in mind he is a Duke. And third, at any cost remain on the left side of the room.”

“Is he perhaps that arrogant?” Edith inquired.

Most often badly disliked gentlemen, however wealthy and young, must’ve carried a large flaw in their character to become this undesirable. Either they were egotistical or so vain, it was impossible to stand them or they had certain displeasing physical impairments. The first reason seemed rational to me, but second was hardly something one could fault - especially not on a wealthy and influential man like a Duke.

“Oh, Lord no!” Richards laughed loudly. “Not arrogant, that man doesn’t have an ounce of arrogance in him.”

“His Grace simply lacks a character,” Jared gazed at his sister. “Or spine.”

“All that man can talk about are his precious horses,” Bonnie’s nose crinkled with distaste.

“And weather,” her sister added bitterly. “The last time my father forced me to talk to him I swear I learned the forecast for the whole United Kingdom,” Alison pursed her lips.

“Oh, you poor thing,” Bonnie mocked. “You weren’t the one to go to the Hyde Park with him, horseback riding no less!”

Alison turned her pity-filled eyes toward her. “I imagine it was a very tiresome experience.”

“It was insufferable! I swear His Grace has more horses than I have shoes. And you know I love shoes,” she quietly confided. “Luckily I survived. We spent the whole two hours talking about nothing but horses. Can you imagine?” Her nose crinkled as if sensing something spoiled. “Well, it was mostly him who spoke. I kept quiet, like I’d mentioned before - following the rules.”

“So,” I loudly recapped. “Avoid Lord Tinley and His Grace Read.”

Both twins gave me a curt nod.

“If you accidentally catch His Grace’s eye, run the other way. As fast as it’s socially acceptable for a young Lady of your status, of course,” Bonnie stated as she patted my wrist.

“I don’t believe that will be necessary,” I smiled bashfully and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “He won’t even notice me.”

She looked at me as if lost my mind. “Oh, he will notice you. You are very pleasing to the eye.”

“Furthermore, he is desperately seeking a reputable noblewoman who would be willing to marry him. After his father’s death, he inherited a title of a Duke of Manchester and it’s necessary for him to produce an heir. Since none of the ladies and debutantes are willing to even glance his way, he is becoming more... Desperate,” Alison enlightened us.

“We cannot deny the fact that the man knows how to handle his business and finances. He more than tripled his wealth since his father died. Every young woman’s father would be eager to marry his daughter off to such an accomplished gentleman,” Jared’s eyes meaningfully settled on me. I instantly knew this was an indirect way to warn me. “No matter how mind-numbing he is.”

“Oh, please My Lord, stop scaring the girl. I am sure her mother knows His Grace. She would never allow for her daughter to be this miserable,” Alison smiled at me encouragingly. “Even our father saw reason, and that says something.”

Bonnie nodded in affirmation. “Besides, if you stay on your side of the playfield,” her mischievous eyes sparkled with humor. “I believe all will be well.”