“That woman is frightening,” Cass breathed, shuddering slightly.
“She certainly is,” Delilah replied, raising her teacup to her lips again.
“Very well,” Lucy said. “It’s agreed. Delilah, you speak to Alex, and we’ll invite Lavinia to the rehearsals to attempt to get to know her better. Perhaps she’ll take a fancy to one of the bachelors in the play.”
Jane grimaced. “God help the bachelors in the play.”
“Wait a moment.” Lucy tapped her cheek. “I may have the perfect gentleman for Lavinia.”
“Who?” Cass asked, her cornflower-blue eyes round as saucers.
Lucy set her teacup on the table in front of her. “Do you remember Lord Stanley?”
“Stanley?” Jane narrowed her eyes in thought.
Lucy nodded, clearly warming to her subject. “Yes, a bit older. Nearly forty. He’s good-looking, wealthy, from a decent family.”
“Viscount, isn’t he?” Cass asked.
“Yes, and a widower,” Lucy added.
“I think I remember him,” Delilah said.
Lucy dropped another lump of sugar into her teacup and picked it up again. “He’s a good-natured chap, and one I don’t think would allow Lavinia to run roughshodover him. He’s the right age and comes from a good family.”
“I suppose you know him,” Jane said with resigned sigh.
“But of course. I know everyone,” Lucy replied with a wink. “I intend to write him a note this afternoon, asking him to join us for the play as well.”
“Do you think he’ll say yes?” Delilah asked.
“Of course. Especially if I heavily imply that I may have a lady to introduce him to.”
“Very well.” Cass smoothed her hands over her skirts. “That may take care of Lavinia if we’re fortunate, but what about Delilah and the Lady Emmaline problem?”
A catlike smile spread slowly across Lucy’s face. “I’ve given that quite a bit of thought.”
“And?” Jane leaned forward to grab another teacake.
“And… the Duke of Branville is not the only fox in the forest. We can present Lady Emmaline with a worthy alternative.”
“Like who?” Delilah cocked her head to the side as she stared at Lucy.
The smile on Lucy’s face widened. “Like our dear, beloved Thomas. He’s a handsome, rich duke too, isn’t he?”
CHAPTER SIX
“What exactly did your mother say when you told her you intended to secure an offer from the Duke of Branville?” Thomas asked Delilah later that week as they sat on a bench in front of a table in Berkeley Square, enjoying an ice from Gunter’s.
Gunter’s was one of the few places they could go to together without causing a scandal. An unmarried lady and an unmarried gentleman going about started gossip. It was ludicrous that they were only allowed out alone in certain places. Of course, Delilah’s maid, Amandine, dutifully waited in the coach along with the coachman and the groomsmen, while Delilah and Thomas enjoyed their treats.
“At first she seemed amused by it. Later, she told me I was mad,” Delilah said with a chuckle.
“Mad?” Thomas echoed. “She actually used the wordmad?”
“Yes.” Delilah shrugged. “I preferinsensé, of course. She didn’t even use the French.”
A muscle ticked in Thomas’s jaw. “I’d say that’s the least offensive thing she did.”
