Rose waved her hand as if it were a forgone conclusion. “He is much like me. Neither of us is interested in what our mother wishes for us, at least not yet.”
“I thought you wished to attend the school so you could have better conversations and attract a husband? Does that mean if a man was truly interested in you as you are, you would not consider it?” She, herself, would be thrilled by such anopportunity, though she would miss her classmates, but Rose had not yet attended.
“To be honest, that was my first intention, but after hearing all that you have related about the school over the last few days, I admit I’m anxious to attend. It would be such a grand adventure.” Rose clasped one hand in the other against her chest, her excitement clear in her eyes.
If Lady Enderly heard such talk, Dory was quite sure she’d be sent home immediately. That Rose wished an experience beyond what she had so far was not entirely surprising.
“Then mayhap you can helpmefind a prospective suitor.” At her friend’s excited look, she quickly held up her hand. “I caution you, it will not be an easy task.”
Rose grabbed her hand and squeezed. “I would very much enjoy that. I’ve never done anything of the sort. You must tell me how I can help.”
“Let’s see. I believe the first would be to observe the men who are here and their qualities, both good and poor. The second might be to remember anything that is said about me, again good and poor.”
“Oh, no one could say anything about you that is poor. You are a lovely person.”
Her heart warmed at Rose’s enthusiastic endorsement. If only all others felt that way, she could have her pick of a gentleman. “Most importantly, they should be someone interested in marriage.”
Rose smirked. “That leaves every man except my brother.”
Unfortunately, that was true. “There could be others here who are in no hurry to marry as well, so listen carefully.”
“I do believe you just made the next fortnight much more enjoyable for me.”
Pleased that she had made Rose happy, she couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable. “Just be sure to report everything to meand not say a word about my interest in any of the gentlemen here.”
Rose lost her smile and nodded. “I understand. I can be quite circumspect when needed.” Even as she said the words, her relaxed manner changed and she sat straighter in her chair. “Lady Matilda please join us.”
Looking over her shoulder, Dory understood the full change in her friend’s demeanor. Lady Matilda approached, obviously curious about their conversation. It was just as well, as she needed to practice her three-sentence skill so she had more to report to Lord Harewood when they spoke.
For the rest of the evening, she only had to keep silent once, but she had not been able to converse with Lord Harewood at all. It wasn’t as if he were flanked by many of the women, but more that, he stood aside from everyone, only speaking with his father or Lord Sommerset. Not once did she see him speak to his mother.
Her evening was still pleasant as Lord Dearling, Lord Manning, and Mr. Retford, with whom she’d danced the quadrille that very season, had kept her entertained. By the time she crawled into bed, her mind was ready to sleep after such a challenging day.
The following morning after breaking her fast in her room, she was ushered downstairs by Lady Sommerset to sew with the other ladies. Unfortunately, she had no choice but to sit next to Rose’s two friends who had left her standing by herself at the Stocktons’ ball. Though she didn’t hold any ill will toward them, as there had been so many others who had done the same, she was not inclined to join their conversation and instead focused on her embroidery.
Lady Sommerset, who appeared to be adding the Sommerset crest to a handkerchief, noticed her focus. “Are you deep in thought over your prospects?”
Dory moved her gaze from the handkerchief to the lady, somewhat confused. “My prospects?”
Her chaperone gave her a secret smile as she set down her needle. “You appear to have many men quite interested in you.”
Her cheeks heated and she kept her voice low. “I’m not as certain as you, though I did have lovely conversations with Lord Dearling and Lord Manning yesterday eve.”
Lady Sommerset lowered her voice to match. “And don’t forget Mr. Retford and Lord Harewood.”
“Lord Harewood?” She tried to ignore the jump her heart gave, which did not make sense, as the man was not in the market for a wife. “I didn’t speak to him all day. Why would you think so?”
“Perhaps because you spoke to him quite often before the others arrived. Or rather, more telling,hespoke toyou.”
“Yes, that is true, but our conversations did not lead me to imagine he has an interest.” That was true, but his kisses led her to believe he did, not that she could admit that.
Lady Sommerset shook her head and sighed. “I’m disappointed to hear that. Both my husband and I had thought maybe there was an interest. It is our wish that he can open his heart to another someday.”
“Another?” Her curiosity bloomed. “Has he been interested in someone before?”
Lady Sommerset stuck her needle in the material stretched tightly over her loop. “I forget that many people are not aware of the connection between the Mabrys and the Ambroses. Lord Harewood had his heart broken over ten years ago. I’m not sure he will ever care for another woman again, but we do hope it could happen.”
Ten years ago? He couldn’t have been more than a lad. A sadness filled her that someone could have turned away such aunique man. “Did the woman marry another? I do hope it wasn’t you.”
