I cast a smile in Penelope’s direction. “You must feel at home here in Brighton then, being so close to the sea.”
“I much prefer life in London,” she said, her nose wrinkling. “My husband and I remain in Town most of the year.”
Charlotte sat forward. “I prefer London as well.” She stirred her teacup with a soft smile. “I find that I never grow bored there. There are endless forms of entertainment to be had.”
“I wholeheartedly agree!” Penelope’s grin turned in my direction. “Which do you prefer, Miss Kellaway? Town or the country?”
“Or the coast,” Joanna added in a thoughtful voice.
Would it be best to agree with them? The idea crossed my mind, but I decided on my genuine answer. “The country or the coast, to be sure. I enjoy nature, moments of calm…riding my horse. I find that I am happier without the structure of Town life.”
“That is perfectly understandable.” Penelope took a sip from her cup, wincing as it seemed to burn her tongue.
Joanna’s eyes flickered with mischief. “Our brother hopes to find a wife who will be content with a country life. He finds such women to be rare, indeed. How relieved will he be to learn that we have met such a woman?”
A dimple appeared in Penelope’s cheek. “Veryrelieved.”
The edges of my face flamed, but I didn’t allow it to spread. I collected myself enough to speak. “We are not so very rare. I know several young ladies who prefer the country.”
“But none so beautiful and refined as you.” Penelope smiled. “Not to worry, Miss Kellaway. We can still be friends despite our disagreement on the superiority of Town.”
“Good.” I laughed. “Now I’m the one who is relieved.”
The two women laughed, and Charlotte took the opportunity to insert her own question. “Your brother here in Brighton…is he the eldest?”
“Indeed.” Joanna nodded.
“He inherited Southcliff Manor after our father’s death three years ago,” Penelope added. “He was very young. The weight of his responsibility is what I suspect has made him a little boorish.” She laughed, delicately dipping an almond biscuit into her tea. “He was quite hesitant to leave the place even for this excursion to Brighton. We begged him enough that he finally relented.” Her eyes glinted with pride.
Boorish?I hadn’t thought so at all. Perhaps a little aloof at first, but certainly not boorish. It was ridiculous that I felt the desire to defend him. I hardly knew him. “You seem to have great power over him,” I said with a laugh. “He must love his sisters dearly.”
“He tolerates us.” Joanna pursed her lips. “But yes, he is a very devoted brother.”
“Vexingly so,” Penelope added. “I think he should take that devotion and use it toward a wife.”
Charlotte leaned forward to add another sugar cube to her teacup. “Is he seeking one?” Her voice was casual. I pressed my lips together to hide my smile. I was fortunate to have a friend who would ask such delicate questions for me.
“I believe he is finally open to the idea.” Penelope’s lips curled into a smile. “He could certainly be persuaded if Joanna and I have anything to do with it. He recently inherited another large sum of money from our uncle.”
Joanna nudged her with a scowl.
“What?” Penelope flicked a curl away from her eyes. “I don’t understand why he keeps that a secret. He would only be respected and desired more for it.” She lifted her chin. “Thirty thousand pounds to be exact.”
A light gasp escaped Charlotte’s lips.
I recalled her question that first day I met Mr. Croft on the beach:Is he rich?
He most certainly was.
Perhaps now Charlotte would approve of me liking him. Not that I needed her approval, but it would certainly make matters easier. I stole a glance at her face. She appeared pleased.
Penelope rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “You now understand how preposterous it was that he refused to purchase more than a small book on North Street. He is far too modest.”
Warmth stirred in my chest, and I felt a deep sense of admiration. I had always been somewhat repulsed by men who flaunted their wealth for all the world to see. Mr. Croft’s secret made him even more attractive, but not even because of the money—because of his modesty.
Mama had been listening quietly to the conversation. She was not usually the meddlesome type, quite unlike other matchmaking mamas I had encountered. She had no specific hopes for my future husband besides that I love him, and he love me. So I was surprised when she asked, “Besides a love of the countryside, what other qualities is he seeking in a wife?”
“Heaven knows.” Joanna threw out her hand with a laugh. “He is a locked vault when it comes to such matters. Knowing him, I could only offer my best assumptions. He values kindness, intelligence, and wit. He adores his horses, so any skilled horsewoman would have him swooning.”
