Thomas scrubbed a hand through his hair. “You’re funny, you’re honest, and you’re loyal to name three.”
“That’s true,” Delilah agreed. “Lucy, perhaps we should be writing these down. Wait. I thought of another one,” Delilah nearly shouted, pointing her finger at Lucy.
“Ooh, what is it, dear?” Lucy rubbed her hands together.
Delilah smoothed a hand over her unruly hair. “I am clever. I can only hope that cleverness counts for more than decorum in the game of love.”
“Clever?” Thomas’s frown included an eye roll.
“Yes,” Delilah replied. “You know—cunning, wily, crafty?”
“I’m familiar with the word,” Thomas replied. “But I don’t see what that has to do with marriage.”
Lucy shook her head at him. “So naïve.”
“I’m naïve?” Thomas pointed at his chest.
“Yes, if you don’t think cleverness and craft are involved in matchmaking, I’d say you’re quite naïve,” Lucy replied.
“Matchmaking and marriage are two different things,” Thomas retorted.
Delilah exchanged an exasperated look with Lucy, then she nodded and patted Thomas on the shoulder. “I’m afraid Lucy’s right, Thomas. You’d best leave the matchmaking to the experienced matchmakers.” She turned back to Lucy. “You said to focus on the positives. In addition to my family, my dowry, and my cleverness, I intend to convince the Duke of Branville that I’m exactly the sort of unconventional lady he should like to marry.”
Thomas groaned and rose to his feet. “That’s it. I can no longer listen to this nonsense.”
Lucy sighed. “No matter. We’re done with the conversation for the moment.” She turned to face the room and the rest of its occupants who had been quietly going about their business. She raised her voice so all could hear. “Everyone, now that the performance is getting closer, we intend to have rehearsal here three times a week instead of twice, before we go to my country house next month, where we’ll practice for a day or two before the final performance.”
There was a murmur of assent and approval from the group before they returned to their duties. Delilah allowed a wide smile to spread across her face. She glanced at Thomas first, then Lucy. “I have only a month to secure two goals. Ensure this production comes off without a hitch, and secure a proposal from the Duke of Branville.”
Thomas cleared his throat. “Wait. There’s something I forgot to add. Three.”
Delilah and Lucy both blinked at him. “Three what?” they asked simultaneously.
Thomas scratched his cheek. “Three goals. Before you began this ridiculousness about Branville, I intended to ask you to secure a match for Lavinia as well.”
“Lavinia!” Both ladies stared at him in shocked horror.
He stuck his hands into his pockets, a sheepish look on his face. “Yes. She’s demanded it of me.”
Delilah shook her head and blew out a deep breath. “I’m not certain we can—”
“Hold on, dear,” Lucy replied. “As you recently pointed out, weareexperienced matchmakers. And I just said how much I love a good challenge. If anyone can find a match for Lavinia Hobbs, it’s us, don’t you think?”
A slow smile dawned across Delilah’s face. “Hmm. Isuppose you’re right.” She turned to Thomas. “Did your sister indicate whom she might like to marry?”
“She hoped I’d have some prospects, actually. Which is why I came in search of you two.”
“So you’re willing to admit that matchmakers do serve a purpose from time to time, eh, Huntley?” Lucy knocked her shoulder against his.
Thomas gave a long-suffering sigh. “I suppose I must admit it.”
Delilah laughed. “As much as that no doubt pained you to say, Thomas, we would be happy to help Lavinia. It’s just as well that she doesn’t already have someone picked out. As I’ve recently learned, settling on someone too early makes the entire thing much more difficult.”
“Agreed,” Lucy added with a nod. “We always do better when there are more options. But don’t let that worry you about Branville, Delilah. We’ll make an exception in that case.”
Thomas shook his head.
Lucy rocked back and forth on her heels. “It looks as if we’re to have a busy month, Delilah. We must produce a play and makethreematches.”
