“Under fifty would be good.”
Silence.
“Or... or... forty.” Elspeth’s shoulders sagged again. “I am actually more appalled that the man has buried three wives, has several children, and wants more.”
“You do not want children.”
Elspeth shook her head. “I know that shocks people. I know they think I am mad or odd or will change my mind, but I have not, and I know I will not. And I am horrified by the idea that a man would insist on his wife having children against her will.”
“There is nothing odd or mad about a woman who knows her own mind. Do you have any other specifics in mind?”
Elspeth blinked. “Such as what?”
“The usual interests for a young woman. Hair and eye color. Height. Build.”
Elspeth paused, considering these, then shook her head. “Mrs. Dove-Lyon, my first great love was Captain James Cook. One of my favorite books isA Voyage Round the Worldby Louis de Bougainville. I suspect one reason I have turned away so many suitors in my day is that I seldom react to a man’s looks, especially if his conversation is mundane. Although I once was rather smitten by a portrait of Henry Hudson.”
“You do realize that young men of the Beau Monde are as seldom instructed in gifted conversation as their female counterparts.”
“Which is why I prefer the lectures at the Royal Academy to anafternoon soiree.”
“I am surprised that your parents did not mine the Academy for potential suitors.”
“I suspect the idea of my marrying an academician may be slightly more horrifying to my father than my remaining a penniless spinster. I once heard him comment about a particular lecture series as being attended by people ‘not of our ilk.’”
“So your candidate should be from among theton.”
“Unless I wish to elope and be disowned, yes.”
“Is that a possibility?”
Elspeth looked down, studying her reticule as if it were a priceless work of art. Finally she took a deep breath and looked up. “I have considered it. I am not sure I am strong enough to make it succeed.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s chin tilted up a bit. “Again, it is the rare woman who knows what she is capable of. And what she is not.” She remained still a moment, studying Elspeth, with one glance at Sinclair. Then she gave a single nod. “Return tomorrow at ten. I will have a contract for you stating my fee, and I will have the first prospects for your review. I will ask for a small payment upfront. The rest will be paid out of your dowry after your marriage, and any potential suitor will have to agree to that.”
“I understand.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon studied her a moment, then nodded. “I think you do. And I suggest that you and Mrs. Sinclair take a slow stroll through the park on your way home. Ease your nerves. It will be a long, stressful week. And it may end as it began, with a marriage to a viscount in front of you.”
Elspeth sighed, then rose. “Thank you. Even if it does end that way, I know I tried to change the outcome in the only way possible. I appreciate that.”
As if she had heard the meeting end, Helena opened the door and escorted Elspeth and Sinclair out the way they had entered. As theouter door finally closed behind them, Elspeth released a long breath. “Well, it’s done.”
Sinclair nodded. “I do hope it is beneficial.”
Elspeth gestured toward the end of the Cleveland Row, the location of the Lyon’s Den. “The carriage should be waiting around the corner.”
They started in that direction when a thought crossed Elspeth’s mind, something that Mrs. Dove-Lyon had said. She touched her maid’s arm. “By the way...Mrs.Sinclair?”
The brogue returned. “Ach. It be a very long tale.”
Chapter Four
Saturday, 15 April 1820
Embleton House
Five in the afternoon
