Joanna leaned forward as if she would impart great wisdom. “Lord Mabry. From where I sit, he is clearly a cut above the rest.”
“I fear you are hopelessly biased.” Lady Astor turned to her daughter. “Pay her no mind. It is clear we cannot depend upon her opinion on this matter.”
Chuckling, she nodded as she addressed Elsbeth. “I must acknowledge the truth of the matter. Teddy has so many wonderful qualities, I cannot imagine I can remember a single fault. Unless of course, you consider stealing my favorite book and throwing it in with the cows at his estate as not particularly nice. We were but eight, and when I ran in despite the bull heading for me, he did come to my rescue by distracting the mean bovine.”
Both ladies smiled, but it was Elsbeth that spoke. “Were you able to retrieve your book without either of you being injured?”
She widened her eyes. “It was a close thing that. The bull did indeed turn toward Teddy and rush him.” She paused, watching the concern pass over Elsbeth’s face. “Luckily, he is an excellent sprinter. He even took awards later at Cambridge for his skill.”
“I see he has much to recommend him.” Lady Astor nodded approvingly.
Feeling more comfortable, Joanna continued. “Now, if I were being objective about a husband hunt and in your circumstances, I would make my judgement based upon who was willing to wait until you are presented at your first ball.”
Elsbeth’s smile faltered, but her mother cast Johanna a grateful smile.
“I wouldn’t listen to Lady Joanna.” Lady Caroline’s voice coming from behind her had Joanna looking over her shoulder. “Since she hasn’t found a husband yet, her advice is suspect.”
“On the contrary, my advice is sound because it comes from much experience in winnowing out those not suitable.” She turned back toward the ladies and winked.
Unfortunately, the lovely blonde, who had obviously set her hopes on their host, found the need to join their conversation. She floated to the chair next to Joanna and gracefully settled into it, her very pale blue dress falling into perfect folds. It matched her eyes exactly. “Take my advice. As you study the prospects for marriage, you want to look for wealth, impeccable manners, and someone you feel comfortable conversing with over dinner.”
Elsbeth’s brow furrowed. “What about his carriage. Should he not be pleasant to look upon?”
Lady Astor opened her mouth to respond, but Lady Caroline waved her hand dismissively. “While that is always nice, it should not be the first characteristic you look for.”
Joanna’s gaze swept to Lady Astor, whose eyes had widened. “Then am I to assume you do not find my nephew to be handsome?”
Joanna sensed more than witnessed Lady Caroline stiffen. The lady had made a mess of it now. Unable to resist, she prodded further. “What is it that you find unappealing? Is it the length of his wavy dark hair, the hardness of his aristocratic chin, or perhaps it is his interminable height?” She quirked up her lips to Lady Astor, so the lady would know she was not serious.
Lady Caroline produced a lace fan as if from the air, it appeared so quickly, and began to fan herself. “I’m sure I am completely unaware of any such faults with His Grace.”
“Oh, then it must be his nose.” She nodded to Lady Elsbeth. “I have heard it on good authority that a man’s nose is very important to ladies.”
Elsbeth, for all her youth and naiveté, understood the fun they were having and directed her comments to Lady Caroline. “Pray, do tell me what is wrong with my cousin’s nose. I think that I may have missed it, having grown up with him towering over me all the time. I do believe I’ve only seen the underside where his nostrils—”
“That is quite enough about his grace’s physical attributes.” Lady Astor set her hand on her daughter’s lap. “Don’t you think, Lady Caroline?”
The woman nodded, then abruptly stood. “Please excuse me. I just remembered I wished to ask Lady Barret what she thought of the play we both happened to attend the other evening.”
Joanna held her grin back until Lady Caroline had floated off toward three ladies conversing near a bay window. Returning her gaze to the women across from her, she couldn’t help the light laugh that escaped her. “That was not well done of me.” She shook her head, but didn’t stop smiling.
Lady Astor tried to look stern, but her lips twitched. “We should not have teased her. She did not realize we weren’t serious.” Finally, her own smile appeared. “But it was a bit of fun.”
“Mother!” Elsbeth hissed, then let out an adorable laugh.
Joanna sincerely liked them. If Teddy did succeed in obtaining Elsbeth as a wife, she would be pleased. The woman, though only eighteen, had a sharp mind and a gentle disposition.
“And here is the esteemed personage we were just speaking of.” Lady Astor’s smile widened as she focused beyond Joanna.
Even without looking, she felt the approach of the duke. She turned her head slightly, in time to see his long-tapered fingers wrap over the top of the chair back that Lady Caroline had so recently vacated. She dearly hoped he wouldn’t sit.
“Do sit, James. I don’t believe you’ve had a chance to get to know Lady Joanna. She is such a delight.”
A delight? She’d never had that particular word used to describe her.Interestingoropinionatedor evenlivelywere the usual, somewhat complimentary words aimed her way.
“Actually, Aunt, Lady Joanna and I had an intriguing conversation out in the courtyard this evening.”
Intriguing. She rather liked that term. She addressed Lady Astor, whose eyebrows had risen considerably. “It was not quite as fascinating as the duke infers. I believe it had to do with footmen, my shawl, and logic. Rather boring topics compared to what we were discussing here.”
