“I cannot deny that there is some truth in what you are saying…”
Harriet tried hard to suppress the grin from spreading on her face.
Heavens.Her insane plan was working… somehow.
“You know? I have a solution for you,” Harriet said. “In two days, I am holding a special dinner at the house. A lot of people shall be in attendance — including some that we believe might be a good match for you. You should come, and make a selection for your future wife.”
“Harriet…” Simon tried to interject.
What was she doing? She was playing a dangerous game now. If Tobias selected someone else, then they would have an even bigger problem on their hands.
Harriet discreetly squeezed his hand to reassure him, and then leaned over slightly to whisper, “trust me, Simon. I am aware of what I am doing.”
And he did.
He trusted her.
He realized how he had grown to trust her quite a lot.
“So, what do you say, Tobias?” Harriet smiled. “Will you come?”
Tobias nodded. “I shall.”
“Perfect,” Harriet lit up, “I have just the girl for you in mind.”
When Tobias left shortly after, Simon followed Harriet around the house as she instructed the staff about the arrangements to be made for the dinner.
“Harriet…” he called out to her, leaning against the doorframe.
“Just a moment, Simon,” she said to him, and then went back to instructing the house staff. They were listening to her attentively, and Simon could see that they had a certain kind of reverence for her.
She seemed to be a natural born leader.
“A word in private?” he said to her when she walked over to him.
“Of course.”
He pulled her into the nearby empty guest bedroom, folding his arms in front of him.
“I believe you have some explaining to do,” he demanded. “I did not soil your little plan, but I cannot go into this blindly. Tell me exactly what you have in mind.”
Harriet shook her head, “You underestimate me, Simon. Believe me, I think that this could really work.”
“And I would wish for it, too. But I need to know whatthisis.”
“Day after tomorrow, we shall host a little soirée at the estate…”
“Yes, you made that much clear,” Simon replied, rather snappily. “But what does that accomplish?”
“In attendance shall be Emma Spencer, and the man that she is set to marry. Upon seeing them, Tobias will have a realization that he is missing out on something special.”
Simon looked at her, astounded. Blinked once, opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
“What?” she asked. “It is really not so preposterous. Sometimes, people need a little shove in the right direction.”
“How are you to certain that the Spencers, and the man she is set to marry will even attend?”
Harriet shrugged, “If the duke extends them an invitation, they would be a fool to turn it down. You know this better than I.”
