“Oh, yes, brother, very possible. The betting on the bank had shifted from ‘who would last longest’ to ‘how long could they possibly last.’ You were a favorite, but people had gotten bored and wandered off. You looked enthralled.”
“I was just dwelling on things. Business. The last voyages.”
“Lady Elspeth?”
Timothy felt his cheeks heat. “Perhaps.”
Luke gave a long sigh. “Well, let us hope the next test to not send us all into apoplexy.”
Chapter Eight
Monday, 17 April 1820
The Lyon’s Den
Quarter of twelve noon
Elspeth once againsat in Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s office, staring down at her lap, her tea growing cold as she dwelled on the morning’s events, her thoughts spinning. Her heart had taken almost ten minutes to stop racing when Lord Timothy had vanished beneath the water of the Serpentine. She had been sitting in a chair near one of the broad upstairs windows of the Cake House, and when he had dropped below the surface like a proverbial stone, she had leapt to her feet and plastered her hands against the panes, where she remained for the next half hour.
Even after she had calmed down somewhat, watching him in the water fascinated her. He seemed to simply hang there, eyes closed, a slight smile on his face. As if the river were his natural habitat.
Livingstone, in contrast, had struggled, even after Timothy had clearly given his opponent some instructions on staying afloat and completing the task.
He had aided his competitor.
That thought had stuck with Elspeth all morning. Why would hedo that? He could have easily stayed away, stayed silent, and the competition would have ended much sooner. Livingstone clearly struggled from the moment he landed in the water with an awkward, flailing splash. Everyone could see that in a few more moments, Livingstone would have had to concede. Instead, Lord Timothy had helped. Why?
Because it was the right thing to do.
That thought too clung to Elspeth’s thoughts, but from an entirely different source than this morning’s competition.
Life here in America grows more amazing every day. I do wish you could join us. Gordon and Timothy make a remarkable team, although I am clearly biased. Gordon has trained Timothy in almost everything he knows about business, and Timothy has been an unparalleled student. And they dovetail well in their desires and goals for each acquisition. They discuss every decision, consider the options, and finally make their choices for not only what benefits the business but on what is the right thing to do. I did not know men could have such integrity and still succeed as they have. You would not believe how secure we are financially, after all the years of struggle.
I also take a bit of pride in claiming what I saw in Gordon all those years ago, why I love him, and how grateful I am that circumstances meant waiting for him. I know you will find someone as suited to you as we are to each other. I beg you not to let your father bully you into something else. Your last letter, about the quarrels in your home over money, distressed me to no end. I fear he will use your unmarried status to save himself. Please do what you can to prevent this.
Gordon was worth the wait. So will your love be. May we all be able to do the right thing.
Elspeth had read this letter from Ella—one of four in the packet that had arrived at her house—again this morning. All four of theletters had made Elspeth heartsick, the ache in her chest unrelenting as she missed her friend, valued her counsel, and feared her father’s edict to marry Viscount Godwin. There had to be some option other than either a miserable marriage or fleeing to America with just the clothes on her back.
“Lady Elspeth?”
Elspeth’s head snapped up. “Am I doing the right thing?”
Behind her, Sinclair gasped but held her tongue.
“The right thing? In what way?”
Not for the first time, Elspeth wished she could see the full expression on the face behind the veil. “I mean all this. I am going against my parents’ wishes. Against Society’s dictates. Should I not just be a good daughter and marry the man my father has chosen, no matter what it means to me?”
This time Sinclair did not hold her tongue. “And spend the rest of your life in misery at the behest of a man who holds no respect for you or your desires?”
Elspeth turned to look at her. “I would hardly be the first. Our entire Society is rife with unequal, miserable marriages.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s voice held a calming tone. “But you do not have to join their ranks. For that reason alone, you are doing the right thing.”
Elspeth’s eyes narrowed. “You know of other reasons?”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon tugged Elspeth’s cup and saucer toward her, then set it on the tray nearby. “I do but now is not the time. The gentlemen will be here shortly for their next instructions. There is a private room directly across the main hall from this office. Helena will escort you and Mrs. Sinclair over there. Refreshments have been provided if either of you is hungry. You will wait there for the gentlemen to deliver your bouquets. Do you need the list?”
