Lisbeth frowned at him. “What if someone requests to court her?”
Benjamin shifted uncomfortably. “You can assist her.”
Rose added, “He wants this for me, but doesn’t plan to participate. As long as I’m auctioned off to a gentleman, he will be happy.”
Her father looked at her, wounded by her harsh words. Lisbeth continued to frown. “But what if someone asks for her hand in marriage? Don’t you want to be here?”
A snort escaped Rose. “I think that is unlikely.”
Her father and Lisbeth glanced at each other. The latter narrowed her eyes while the former suddenly tugged at his jacket.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
He sighed. “I may have told a few associates what the sum of your dowry is. They’ve shared the details with others.”
She had her own money. Before any marriage took place, it would be placed in a trust unavailable to her husband. Annoyance flared within her that she was making imaginary plans for a husband she would never have. Rose was not getting married. Still, money always made things more appealing. It was a sly move by her father. “How much?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Lisbeth insisted, “We both must know the amount.”
“10,000 pounds.”
She and Lisbeth gasped at the obscene number. Rose glared at her father. “Do you want me to wed a fortune hunter?”
“Of course not. I want you to be competitive with other ladies. Several chaps will not consider you because of your lack of a title and your age. Now they will reconsider.”
“Do you think I would marry some fool who only finds me appealing because of a dowry?”
She and her father stared at each other angrily. Lisbeth sighed. “While I think it’s a noble gesture, Benjamin, I wish you had consulted with me first. An excessive dowry will cause more havoc than good.”
He folded his arms. “I don’t care. I’m no fool. The dowry will increase the interest in Rose. Once it does, all the men in search of a bride will easily conclude how remarkable she is.”
Rose rolled her eyes at her father’s praise. He frowned. “Rose, I want to fulfill my promise to your mother as best as I can.”
She knew he did. “Fine. There isn’t much we can do about it now.”
He smiled, relieved by her words of acceptance. “Splendid.”
That wasn’t quite the word Rose would use, but she was tired of arguing with him. He stood and brushed his jacket. “I must go. I have a meeting at a club, but will be here for dinner later this evening.”
Rose and Lisbeth both watched as he departed. Once gone, Rose threw herself against the back of the sofa, slouching down. “Please tell me no one will care about my obscene dowry.”
Lisbeth did just the opposite. “Be prepared to be inundated with offers.”
She closed her eyes, wishing she was still in the desert, not this fancy room.
“We will have a busy schedule,” her host said.
Rose’s eyes fluttered open. She studied Lisbeth. It had been a decade since she’d seen her. They’d been in Tuscany on a break, celebrating Rose and Thomas’s betrothal. At the time, everyone seemed so happy. Yet, the visit ended in heartache. A few days later, Lisbeth left Thomas, leaving only a note to say that she had to return home and to forget about her. Thomas had been furious and then heartbroken when word reached them that she’d wed a duke. Rose’s friend hadn’t been right since.
As if Lisbeth could sense Rose’s thoughts, she blushed and shifted uncomfortably.
She truly was made to be a duchess. Sighing, Rose said, “You’ve done well for yourself.”
Lisbeth nodded. “The estate and my children keep me sufficiently engaged.”
“Will I meet them?”
