“That is not true, dear.” Lucy pushed a dark curl away from her forehead. “Besides, I was hardly what anyone would call accomplished, and, again, I managed to marry a duke.”
“With all due respect to His Grace,” Delilah replied, “Derek is hardly your average duke.”
Thomas laughed aloud at that. “What, pray tell, is an average duke?”
Delilah turned her head sharply to the side to eye Thomas. “You know perfectly well what I mean. The Duke of Branville comes from a long line of dukes who look for certain attributes in their future wives. If you were looking for a wife, I daresay you’d be looking for the same attributes.”
“And being ‘accomplished’ is one of those attributes?” Thomas asked, skepticism on his face.
“Of course it is. You know it’s true,” Delilah replied with an impatient sigh.
“Wait a moment, dear.” Lucy pointed a finger in the air. “If average dukes are looking for accomplished wives, what do you contend Derek was looking for?”
Delilah turned to Lucy. “I merely meant that Derek was given his title due to his valiance in battle, andwhile he is a highly respected war hero, he hardly had the same exacting standards when it came to choosing a wife, which is why he loves you while you’re so… unconventional.” She patted Lucy’s hand. “With absolutely no intention of offending you, Lucy, because you know how muchj’adoreyou.”
“No offense taken, dear. I suppose you and I are both unconventional. We’re quite alike when you think on it.” Lucy tapped a finger against her cheek again. “Which gives me an idea.”
“What?” Delilah asked, straightening.
“I’m on tenterhooks again,” Thomas added dryly, tugging at his cuff once more.
“Obviously, what we must do is find an unconventional duke.” Lucy’s eyes twinkled with laughter. “One such as Derek who will appreciate your, ahem, uniqueness.”
Delilah rubbed the back of her hand across her forehead. “That would be a wonderful idea if I hadn’t already told my mother that I would secure an offer from theDuke of Branville.”
Lucy patted Delilah’s shoulder. “I completely understand, dear. If I’d said something like that to my mother, I would die trying to accomplish it too.”
“You’ve both gone mad,” Thomas interjected.
“No, we’re merely determined,” Lucy replied. “Don’t confuse the two.” She turned back to Delilah. “Very well. If it’s Branville you must have, then we shall employ every skill in our matchmaking arsenal to bring him up to scratch.”
Delilah opened her mouth. “But what about—?”
“No!” Lucy held up a quelling finger. “We mustn’t focus on the problems, dear. We must focus on the positives.” She cleared her throat. “To that end, what doyou have going for yourself that Lady Emmaline does not?”
Delilah scrunched up her nose and contemplated the matter for a few moments.
“I honestly cannot believe I’m listening to this conversation.” Thomas rubbed his temple. “If this is how ladies attempt to secure their matches, I’m frightened for my future.”
Lucy shot him a conspiratorial glance. “Come now, Thomas. You mustn’t run off and tell our secrets. That’s the price you pay for having a close friend who is a matchmaker.”
Thomas poked out his cheek with his tongue. “I suppose you have a point.”
Delilah snapped her fingers. “I thought of something. While Lady Emmaline comes from a good family, mine is older, and my father was an earl while hers is a viscount. Not to mention I’m told I have anindecentlylarge dowry and a healthy dose of spunk.”
“You don’t want to be loved for your dowry, Delilah. That’s preposterous,” Thomas said, disgust sounding in his voice again.
“Of course I don’t,” Delilah replied. “But I must use every advantage I have if I’m to win in a battle against Emmaline Rochester.”
Lucy nodded and smiled. “Very well. That’s perfect, dear. What else?”
Thomas crossed his arms over his chest and stared at them. “Truly?”
Delilah pushed her nose in the air. “If you’re going to sit there and eavesdrop, Thomas, be helpful and think of ways in which I can compete with Lady Emmaline.”
Thomas tossed a hand in the air. “I can think of a hundred reasons why you’re better than Lady Emmaline.”
“NowI’mon tenterhooks,” Delilah replied, blinking at him. “Do tell.”
