Plain, ill-dressed, studious Lady Phyllis?
She tossed out a test. “Lady Phyllis seems a very serious-minded young lady.”
“Yes, isn’t she?” And he blushed as if describing perfections.
Ariana was so astonished as to be speechless, but she quickly seized on one thing—if Norris was attracted to Phyllis, it wasn’t any shallow, facile emotion. He must truly be in love, perhaps even in the sort of wildfire way she needed.
“She’s young,” Ariana said.
“But mature. More mature than me really.”
He could recognize that. What a change in a man.
“Do you think you’ll suit?” Ariana asked.
He blushed and seemed startled, as if he believed he’d been keeping his feelings secret. Ariana prayed she was a better actor than he.
“Perhaps,” he mumbled.
Ariana smiled. “Then I wish you well. She’ll be an interesting sister.”
He smiled back in a moonling way. “She is marvelous, isn’t she? So kind and wise. Mother will love her.”
“I’m sure she will.” Ariana had all kinds of doubts, but his besotted love solved her problems. He’d rush to the altar and they’d all be together at Boxstall for Christmas. “So now our challenge is moot,” she said.
It was as if he snapped out of a dream. “What? Oh, no. You’re not getting off so easily. You’ll have to admit you’re beaten.”
It went against Ariana’s instincts, but she was still sane enough to agree. “Of course I will. I’ll give up my quest and admit defeat as long as you promise to marry before the end of the year.”
“End of January was the arrangement.”
“Very well, before the end of January.”
She thought the deal was done, but he pulled a face. “There’s nothing I want more, but I don’t even know how Phyllis feels.”
“I’m sure she won’t refuse you.”
“But she’s a serious-minded girl and I’m more of a lightweight. I can’t always keep up with her, but,” he added, his voice softening back into besotted tones, “she speaks so well on so many topics, and has a lovely voice. Doesn’t she have a lovely voice?”
In Ariana’s opinion it was average, but she agreed.
“I’m sure I’ll learn to be a better man.”
“So am I. But have you thought, now such a gem is in society, many other men will see what a treasure she is? You’ll want to win her hand before someone else steals her away.”
“By Jupiter, you’re right! But that means talking to her brother. Difficult man, Kynaston.”
“Even so, he can have no objection.”
“Can. Didn’t want Phyllis to come to Town at all. Said she’s too young. Doesn’t want her to marry for years. She complains he’ll want to keep her locked up until she’s gray.”
Clearly Norris and Phyllis had spent more time together than she’d known, but his words were dismaying. Phyllis was young and only just taking her first steps in society, so even a sane and sensible brother might insist on a long betrothal. An unbalanced one might indeed want her to wait for years.
In four years Phyllis would come of age and be able to marry as she wished, but that was far too long.
“You must try,” Ariana said. “Make an appointment to speak to Kynaston tomorrow and put it to him. At least you’ll know where you stand.”
“He’ll probably banish her back to Delacorte.”
