Elspeth sighed. “We were. My parents separated us for a while, but we reunited before she left.” Elspeth straightened, remembering. “You were responsible for her reunion with Sir Gordon!”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon nodded. “I was. They did make a grand couple. Do you ever hear from her?”
“Yes. A letter on occasion.”
“I do as well. They seem to be doing rather—”
“I want that! What they have! I mean, I do. But I do not. But I do.”
“Can you make that a bit more specific?”
Elspeth clutched her reticule, shaking it in frustration, anger making her voice quiver. “Why did they have to do this! If they had only made things plainer sooner.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon held up her palm. “Lady Elspeth. Please take a deep breath. Then listen closely.” She paused and took a sip of tea. “I am aware of your history, of your interest in botany and exploration, as well as your mother’s, and I applaud you both. I am also aware of your father’s financial situation—”
“Then you probably know more than I do.”
“Do not pout. It is not unusual for a man to withhold his financial status from his family, especially his children, especially when it is stressed. I have heard that he reduced your dowry—”
“It is down to a mere pittance.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon paused. “That must be his word for it.”
Elspeth’s eyes narrowed. “It is.”
“Hm. Well. Please consider that what is a ‘pittance’ to a man who has soared along the top of Society his entire life may be something quite different to a person of a different standing. Your dowry remains substantial enough to get the attention of Viscount Godwin.”
Elspeth’s scowl deepened. “But Father said—”
“That your family needed Godwin’s money.”
She nodded.
“Of course he did. And he does. But Godwin was thoroughly intrigued by your dowry, not just by the amount but also the content.”
“I do not know what you mean.”
“My dear, do you know what consols are?”
“I do not.”
“They are government bonds that earn interest. Unlike a dowry that is strictly built from immediately available assets, your father included in yours both consols and other investments as well as cash. He may have reduced that cash, but your dowry features bonds that have been earning 3 percent interest every year since your fatherbought them for you when you were born. I am sure other men, potential suitors, have inquired about this. Those consols have more than doubled in value, and the longer you keep them, the more they earn.”
“So that part of my dowry will keep going up in value?”
“Yes. Until you redeem the bonds and other investments. Or your husband, once you marry. There is also a trust fund, left to you by your grandfather. It comes to you when you are thirty-five, or thirty, if you marry. Your father will probably ask your husband for part of that as a loan. I am sure this is one reason he is pushing you to marry now, and I would not be surprised to find out that the loan back to him is already accounted for in the marriage contracts.”
Elspeth leaned back in her chair, a chilling numbness settling over her. “I had no idea.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon paused, sipping her tea. As she set down the cup, her lips formed a thin line. “It is an unfortunate fact of thetonthat women are not taught the ways of business as well as men. We can manage it better than they realize.” She sniffed and returned the cup and saucer to the tray. “Or perhaps they do realize, which is why they keep it from us.” She folded her hands in front of her and leaned slightly toward Elspeth. “So to the matter at hand, shall we?”
Elspeth squared her shoulders. “Yes.”
“Your parents have determined you should marry immediately, and your father has made arrangements that this should be with Viscount Godwin. Godwin is in the country at this time but will return Friday. Contracts will be signed on Saturday. The first bann will be read on Sunday. Given no choice, you have acquiesced to marriage but would prefer it not be to Godwin. You would rather it be a man of your own choosing, preferably younger, an explorer or a man of science who is willing to travel.”
Elspeth’s eyes widened, and she glanced over her shoulder at Sinclair. The maid held up her hands and mouthed “not me.” Elspethswallowed and turned back to Mrs. Dove-Lyon. “I believe that is the sum of it.” She shifted in her chair. “I tried not to be surprised, but you do astound me.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon gave a slight smile. “I astound many people.” The smile vanished. “That gives you less than a week to make a selection, so there is little time for us to resolve this. ‘Younger’ covers a great deal of territory, given Godwin’s age.”
