Yet consider it he had.
Much to his surprise, he took great lengths to hide it at the moment. “Then what did you have in mind?” he asked once his thoughts cleared.
Lady Liliah spoke up. “We were hoping you knew some gentlemen, some who were perhaps local and of good breeding. Kind, and in need of a gentle wife? I so wish for my sister to have the opportunity to fall in love, and there simply will be no way for that to happen in London under my father’s tyrannical eye. So, it must be here.”
Heathcliff frowned at her. “You wish her to have a Season in Edinburgh?”
Lucas answered him. “Of sorts, but it will be difficult to have a proper come-out because we’d need to keep her identity hidden. London is far, but not so far that word wouldn’t travel,” he finished.
“So you want a titled, well-bred gentleman who isn’t offended when he learns the woman he’s thinking of marrying has a completely different identity?” he asked with heavy sarcasm.
“We would have to concoct a different story than one she has currently.”
“Of course, of course.” He shook his head. They’d lost their bloody minds. This would never work, and even if it did have a chance in hell, who in their right mind would expose her to the risk of being found out?
“You don’t agree,” Lucas stated.
“I think it’s possibly the most idiotic scheme you’ve concocted in some time.”
“Don’t hold back your true feelings,” Lucas replied dryly.
“If I’m understanding correctly, you wish to marry her off to a local, titled Scotsman who has no connection with London, and in a manner that has duplicity at its core? Surely that is the way to assure a love match!” He shook his head. “Lady Liliah, I rather expected more from you.”
Lady Liliah frowned. “I expected more imagination from you, Viscount Kilpatrick.” She arched a brow daringly. “Is it so difficult to orchestrate a few meetings? I’d think you’d be thrilled to have at least one unmarried lady out of your household.”
Heathcliff shrugged. It was surprisingly casual, given the tumult of emotions that spun within him. “She is providing a necessary service to Miss Iris. It is not a hardship to have her here.” He didn’t add that he would rather rot than have her leave his residence. Even if it were just a few stolen moments each day, it was his entire source of joy to see her, to simply know she was near.
At this, Lucas chuckled, then sobered, earning a glare from Heathcliff.
“What about a masquerade? Surely you—” Lady Liliah flickered her gaze between the gentlemen meaningfully—“know how to put on a proper masquerade? It would be a perfect event to both conceal my sister’s identity and also get her out in the social world.” Lady Liliah folded her hands primly on her lap, a self-satisfied grin firmly in place.
Lucas gave a short round of applause for his wife’s idea.
Heathcliff rolled his eyes. “More and more secrecy? Again, not the best way to establish a tendre for a swain, or to gain one.”
“And you have so much expertise in this area?” Lucas asked.
Heathcliff cleared his throat, then met his friend’s gaze with a stalwart one of his own. “I know how betrayal destroys, and I don’t see your scheming to marry off Miss Miranda using deception doing anything but hurting her,” he bit out.
Lucas studied him, and Heathcliff had the impression he was attempting to make a decision about something.
What, he had no idea, but it was disconcerting at best.
“How would you go about it, then?” Lady Liliah asked with a slightly impatient edge to her tone.
Heathcliff took the question as a reason to look away from his all-too-aware friend and addressed Lady Liliah’s question. “The masquerade idea is a good start, but not enough.”
“Of course it’s not enough,” Lady Liliah interrupted with exasperation.
Heathcliff sighed impatiently, then continued. “A house party would be—”
“Oh yes! How did I not think of such a thing?” Lady Liliah leaped from her seat and clapped her hands. “It is a perfect way to control who is here, and how they can interact with her! You’ll be the host, and we can stay here, acting as proper chaperones—”
“May I make a suggestion?” Lucas asked with an indulgent grin aimed at his wife.
She nodded.
Lucas turned to Heathcliff. “This is a brilliant plan, because then you can also use it as a trial for Miss Iris. All the better if she meets someone of note and you are able to forego the entire London Season.” He gave a winning smile.
