Pinned to the spot, Ariana actually stammered. “I... I’m not sure. Height?”
Lady Cawle dismissed that with a wave of a plump hand. “Dark or fair?”
Dark. In reaction, Ariana said, “Fair. But that’s not a fixed preference. Character and temperament are more important.”
“As long as the gentleman is not hirsute.”
“If that means excessively hairy, then yes.”
“Lord Wentforth is blond and bookish.”
“That sounds hopeful.”
“Sir Arraby Arranbury is a very amiable man.”
“Then I look forward to meeting him.”
“Stop badgering Ariana,” Lady Langton protested. “She’s only attended one event.”
“I understood that there was no time for shilly-shallying.” Lady Cawle’s gaze returned to Ariana. “What of Kynaston?”
“What of him?” Ariana asked blandly.
“If you spent time in the cellars with him, you must have formed an impression.”
“What!” Ariana’s mother exclaimed.
“We were looking at Egyptian artifacts, Mama. Ethel was with us and the house was full of guests.”
Lady Cawle smirked. “Many undesirable things have happened in the dark corners of houses full of guests. What do you think of him?”
“Very little,” Ariana said, pleased with the ambiguity.
Her mother was looking puzzled, and Ariana remembered that she’d rewritten the list with his nameomitted. She plunged on. “I gather he has financial difficulties.”
“Kynaston?” said Lady Cawle. “Of course not.”
“He sold his house to Mr. Peake.”
“A person may sell a property without being in danger of the Fleet. Unless you are ahead of me in the news, gel”—a clear impossibility—“Kynaston’s fortune is intact. He is purchasing a new house in Grosvenor Square.”
Ariana was speechless. Was Lady Cawle lying? Or had he deceived her? If true, what did it mean?
“Do you have anything else against him?” Lady Cawle demanded.
Ariana used the only weapon she had. “He’s a drunkard. I came across him drunk in your library here on my first morning, and then found him drinking in Mr. Peake’s library.” She couldn’t mention the third offense without admitting to eccentric nighttime wanderings.
Lady Cawle’s expression revealed that she was not unaware. “He’s not a sot.”
“Are you going to tell me he’s not a womanizer, ma’am?”
“Less of a one than you might think, but if you’re seeking a gentleman of monklike chastity, gel, your task will be exceptionally hard.”
Ariana was annoyed to find herself blushing at the frank discussion. She reached for the only escape. “I did like the look of Lord Dauntry.”
“Who is Lord Dauntry?” her mother asked. “He wasn’t on the list.”
“I wasn’t aware that he was in Town.” Lady Cawle considered. “Lady Lieven is hosting an entertainment tonight. Dauntry might be there.” Ariana probably looked lost, for Lady Cawle added, “Lady Lieven is the Russian ambassador’s wife.”
