Meg had no time to reply tothatludicrous pronouncement before Lucy said, “Now let’s get to business. Please say you’ll allow me to give you a gown for the Hodges’ ball tomorrow night.” The Hodges were hosting the first ball of the Season, and Meg intended to attend with Lucy and Sarah as her chaperones.
“You know I won’t.” Meg stared at her slippers to avoid Lucy’s gaze.
“I know you say you don’t want to take any—as you call it—charity.” Lucy rolled her eyes.
“Precisely,” Meg replied with a resolute nod, her hands folded in her lap. She’d never once accepted a handout from anyone and she was exceedingly proud of that. She refused to pretend she was anything other than what she was: a penniless wallflower. If she was goingto be mocked by members of theton, it would be because of what she truly was, not because she was using her well-to-do friends for favors and putting on airs.
“But it would makemeso happy to have a gown fitted for you,” Lucy prodded. “Doesn’t that count for anything?”
“Unfortunately, no. Because it would makemedecidedly unhappy.” Meg couldn’t fathom it. It wasn’t about being too proud to take charity. Her worst fear was being pitied. One of the reasons she loved Sarah so dearly was because Sarah didn’t pity her. Sarah never mentioned the vast difference in their stations. Meg knew Lucy didn’t intend to make her feel bad, but pointing out the inadequacy of her wardrobe wouldn’t change Meg’s mind. “Hart is well aware of my circumstances,” Meg said. “Dressing me in fancy clothing won’t make a difference.”
“Perhaps,” Lucy replied. “But he maynoticeyou a bit more and so might other gentlemen, dear. Which might make Hart take evenmorenotice. I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it, menadorecompetition, whether it be over horses, cards, or—sorry to say it—ladies.”
Meg plucked at the strings of her reticule. The one she’d already had to patch on more than one occasion. She and Lucy would never agree. Meg needed to change the subject. “We’re not even certain Hart will be at the Hodges’ ball. He doesn’t usually attend such events.”
“Nonsense,” Lucy retorted, taking a sip of her tea. “He’s looking for a wife this Season. Dull as they may be,tonballs are the only sensible place for a man of Hart’s station to find a suitable wife.”
Meg bit her lip. “What if he already has someone in mind?”
Lucy flourished her free hand in the air. “We’ll have to change his mind.”
“What if he doesn’t look twice at me?” Meg breathed.
“We’ll have to force him to notice you.” Lucy winked at her.
Meg worried the reticule string. “What if he notices and isn’t interested?”
Lucy nodded sagely. “We’ll have to make you exceedingly interesting.”
Meg couldn’t help the small smile that popped to her lips. “Do you have an answer for everything, Lucy?”
“Yes,” Lucy retorted without hesitating, taking another sip of tea.
The butler arrived then and announced Lady Sarah Berkeley. After he left to fetch the lady in question, Meg turned to Lucy with wide eyes. “Sarah’s here?”
“Yes,” Lucy replied. “I invited her because I suspected I’d need reinforcements in this argument with you about the clothing. Sarah and I have been plotting for days to get you to change your mind and allow us to help you with your wardrobe.”
Meg’s heart hammered in her chest. “You cannot mention any of this to her. About Hart I mean.”
“Of course I won’t,” Lucy answered, her smallest finger in the air. “You swore me to secrecy, did you not? But Sarah knows you’re looking for a husband, even if she doesn’t know you’re specifically looking toward Hart. Rest assured. I don’t tell secrets, I devise plots, and speaking of plots, we must get to planning yours, dear.”
Moments later, the door to the drawing room opened and Sarah came floating through it. The brunette viscountess with green eyes so like her brother’s made herway to the settee where Meg sat. “So good to see you both,” Sarah said brightly, plucking off her gloves.
“There you are, Lady Berkeley,” Lucy said. “Thank you for joining us. I was just telling our Meg, here, that to attract a proper husband this Season she must allow us to help her with her clothing. Don’t you agree?”
Sarah sank to the settee next to Meg. “I’d love it if Meggie would allow me to purchase some new gowns for her, but I understand if she doesn’t want to accept our help.”
“It’s charity,” Meg groaned.
“It’s not charity, it’s fun,” Lucy replied, a disgruntled look on her pretty face.
“I don’t see how I could possibly have fun if I felt indebted to either of you,” Meg replied, glancing between the two ladies.
Lucy tapped her finger along her cheek. “My dear, you have been wearing the same gowns for the last three years now, correct?”
“Yes,” Meg said, blushing slightly.
“What if I told you the new gowns are only a loan?” Lucy asked. “You may pay me back one day when you’re happily married and have all the money you could ever want.”
