“A matter of suitability. Is the young lady titled?”
“She is not.”
“What of her parents?”
“Deceased.”
“But she is gently born.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon shook her head. “Not in the way you imply. She is, however, mannerly to a fault, well-educated, and nicely accomplished.”
“Then I must assume she is facing financial ruin.”
“Far from it, my lord.”
“What is she worth?”
“Forty thousand pounds, soundly invested, plus a fine house in Richmond and a terraced abode in Brighton.”
Edward gave a soft whistle. “An heiress. And she is untouched?”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon inclined her head. “As pure as virgin snow.”
“Then I confess to being intrigued, madam.” Edward scratched his jaw. “Am I missing something? Other than, perhaps, her societal status, this girl’s suitability for marriage appears to be excellent. I would expect to see a long line of suitors at her door, which makes me wonder what brought her to yours.”
“A recommendation from an old and valued friend,” she replied, “and he sent her to me precisely because of her ‘suitability.’ She is alone and, though intelligent, naïve to the ways of the world, which means she is vulnerable.”
“Naïve to the ways of men, you mean.”
“I was being tactful, my lord.”
“Quite.” Edward nodded. “So, you are protecting her.”
“And her interests. She does not wish her worth to be measured solely by her wealth. Fortunately, my lord, as you are probably aware, she does have other worthy attributes.”
“Yes, she’s very pretty.” Frowning, Edward took another sip of cognac and recalled something Pen had said:I’m disillusioned by it all, frankly. The expectations, the false pleasantries, the toadying.“Actually, she couldn’t be more perfect,” he muttered.
“Meaning?”
“Meaning I believe your young lady is precisely who Pendlewood needs. He just doesn’t know it yet.” Edward set his glass on the desk and leaned forward. “What I’m about to tell you, dear lady, is in confidence.”
“Of course.”
Edward went on to tell her about Miss Grissom’s scandalous behavior and Pendlewood’s subsequent retreat from society.“He could have ruined the chit, of course, but chose not to do so, which says much about his character. However, by his own admission, he is disillusioned with the dalliances and pretense of Society.” He paused, awaiting some kind of reaction or response from Mrs. Dove-Lyon, but she remained silent.
“Don’t you see, madam?” he continued. “This ward of yours isnota product of Society. Yet she is, from what you’ve told me, an exemplary young lady. Worthy of a decent fellow who, currently, just happens to be an embittered earl.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon inhaled audibly and shifted in her chair. “It might work, my lord,” she said, after a moment. “And although I said no game playing, setting this up might, nevertheless, take a little bit of…”
“Cunning?”
She nodded. “Manipulation of a gentle sort, yes. But I will not allow the young lady to be compromised in any way. Her well-being and future happiness is extremely important to me.”
“Understood,” Edward replied. “May I know her name?”
“Only if I have your word that this sharing of information remains confidential between us.”
“That I cannot give you,” Edward replied, with a smile, “since I keep no secrets from Lady Eskdale.”
