Monty had always been a bit…earthy in his sensibilities.And the Carringtons as a family did not always have a strictly proper consideration for decorum.
But they were still the height of fashion.And highly respectable.
Miss Salisbury, however, was another thing altogether.
Unfortunately, for complex reasons, it appeared that he and Miss Salisbury were only at the beginning of their acquaintance.
“He is acceptable, cousin,” Miss Salisbury said, once Monty had made the requisite introduction, as ifshewere the one doinghima favor.
“Are you sure, Miss Salisbury?”Monty said.“Please know my offer still stands.”
“Indeed,” said Olivia.“I must repeat that we would much prefer you acceptouroffer.”
Really, he was righthere.They were speaking as if a fortnight with him were a fate worse than death.He knew many highly desirable women who would give their baby toe to be his mistress for such a span of time.
But he said nothing.Once, he wouldn’t have thought twice about voicing his objections to this characterization.
But these days, with Monty, he had to be more circumspect.
A few months ago, right before Monty’s marriage to Olivia, Leith’s most shameful secret had come to light.Now his friends and their wives knew that years ago, when Monty and Olivia had first met and fallen in love, Leith had been the means of parting them.He had written Olivia a note, pretending he was Monty, and broke off the attachment.It had been thirteen years before Olivia and Monty had met again—and only by chance at that.Luckily, they had been able to come to an understanding and had married.Leith had never seen his best friend so happy.
When the secret of his past conduct had been exposed, Leith had feared losing Monty forever.
He had been practically a boy back when he had penned that letter.He had not meant to be malicious.He had feared for Monty’s feelings, given how attached he had been to Olivia, and her just a servant girl, with everything to gain from an association with an earl.He had thought Monty would forget her soon enough.But, soon after Olivia’s departure, Leith had seen the gravity of his error—but there had been no way to fix it.
Fortunately, Olivia was not a vindictive woman.In fact, as far as Leith could see, she was a veritable angel.She had forgiven Leith.
And Leith had done everything he could to make it right.Before Olivia and Monty had married, he had held a ball to celebrate their engagement.That event had played no small part in cajoling society to support their relationship, despite the fact that Olivia had once been a maid in this very home.
So, technically, peace had been restored to his relationship with his best friend.
Except it hadn’t been.
Not by half.
And, so, he was here, ready to do anything to set their relationship to rights again.
And apparently that was to involve Miss Salisbury.
Who was currently shaking her head.
“I thank you for your generosity, cousin, but I cannot accept your charity.Our connection is, I know, not the type to be presumed upon in such a way.And I too well love my independence.My mother and brother also must be considered.I have others I need to support, not just myself.”
“Miss Salisbury,” Montaigne said, shaking his head.“Please know that we would do anything you needed.You do not need to take such an action.”
Really, Leith swore to himself, he knew he had lost credit with his best friend, but did he truly regardhimas such a desperate measure?
“You forget, cousin,” Miss Salisbury said, “that I was ruined long ago.There is no fine match for me to gain.No wealthy gentleman would ever be able to take me off your hands.Not through matrimony at least.”
The woman nearly smirked, the corner of her mouth tugging upwards.Most gently bred women would be blushing furiously or in tears discussing such a matter.Miss Salisbury’s expression, however, was entirely placid.She appeared bored.
He hadn’t known that she was ruined.Monty hadn’t mentioned that.
“Surely,” Olivia began, “there is some way—perhaps with a dowry—”
“Please,” Miss Salisbury said, her tone now acid, her composure beginning to slip.“What is the difference in auctioning myself off in marriage, with your funds, or selling myself to men by the twelvemonth?At least in the latter case, a bad alliance can come to an end.”
Olivia blanched.“I am not suggesting, Miss Salisbury, that you wouldhaveto marry.”
