“Maybe if you are a stallion or a pig,” Olivia said. “But humans can do far better than that.” She winked at Carenza. “One good thing is that Hector set your standardsveryhigh.”
The door into the drawing room opened to admit Maude Cooper, the fourth member of their enduring circle of friends and Hector’s sister. She took off her bonnet, revealing hair the same auburn color as her deceased brother’s, and sparkling blue eyes.
“Hector had high standards? For what exactly?” She set down her bonnet and gloves on the sideboard and helped herself to tea. “Why have you all suddenly gone quiet? Were you talking about me?”
“We were talking about being widowed—something that has not happened to you,” Carenza said.
“I might as well be widowed,” Maude said as she sat down. “It feels as if Gerald will never come back from France. The war ended years ago, but apparently he still needs to be there to soothe foreigners’ brows and reassure them that such a man as Napoleon will never terrorize France again.”
“Napoleon wasn’t a monster,” Olivia objected. “He initiated some excellent policies in his day.”
“Before he proclaimed himself emperor and crowned himself at his coronation?” Maude asked. “He ended up being just as awful as the previous monarchy.”
“That is somewhat debatable,” Allegra submitted. “The Bourbon dynasty werefarworse. In fact—”
“Be that as it may.” Carenza hastened to intervene before the discussion turned into an argument. “We were discussing the limitations of being a widow.”
“Carenza is missing her husband’s intimate attentions,” Olivia said.
Maude made a face. “Ew.”
“We were discussing ways she could find someone to replace him in a somewhat more limited fashion,” Olivia explained.
“It’s a shame we aren’t in France,” Maude said. “The French are very accommodating about such matters and consider lovers an important addition to any long-term liaison. When I resided there, I was propositioned quite openly, often in Gerald’s presence.”
“We’re in London. There have to be some gentlemen to fit the bill.” Allegra rose and went across to the desk. “Shall we make a list?”
“And do what with it?” Carenza inquired. “Pin it to the door and wait for them to come knocking?”
“That probably wouldn’t be a good idea.” Allegra frowned. “Is there anyone we could ask? Papa, maybe. Or Dorian?”
All the Musgrove children had been blessed with interesting names by their somewhat eccentric parents.
“I don’t think our father or oldest brother would wish to be party to such a thing.” Carenza shuddered. “If I did involve them, Papa will assume I want to be married again, and that is far from the truth.”
“I suspect it will take you years to get over Hector’s unfortunate death,” Maude said. “And you are only a year out of half mourning.”
“Papa has been asking about both of us marrying,” Allegra said apologetically. “He said that two years is quite long enough to mourn such a noddlecock.”
“Allegra!” Carenza shook her head.
Maude started to chuckle. “It’s all right, Carenza. I loved my brother very much, but he wasn’t the most reliable of men. He’s been dead for over two years, and you deserve to have some fun.”
Allegra held up her pen. “How about putting an advertisement in the newspaper? We could do that anonymously and have the newspaper’s office collect the replies.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Olivia said. “Write this down, Allegra. ‘Titled lady seeks experienced, unmarried rake for afternoon dalliance. Please reply to this advertisement with precise measurements including height, age, length and girth of male member, and current financial statements. Interviews will be conducted before the end of the month.’”
“I was only teasing.” Allegra set down her pen. “I cannot write such an invitation to licentiousness.”
“Then pass the paper to me.” Olivia held out her hand. “I’ll wager we’ll get plenty of applicants to interview if we word it like that.” She glanced over at Carenza. “I’ll even pay for the damned advertisement and help you make the final decision.”
“How kind of you,” Carenza said.
“You aren’t really thinking of doing this, are you, sister?” Allegra asked, her expression concerned. “Father would not be happy with you at all.”
“He won’t know anything about it unless you tell him,” Carenza said. “And I’m sure you wouldn’t do that. Neither of us want to be dragged back to Musgrove Hall in deepest Norfolk, do we?”
Allegra looked thoughtful. “I’d prefer to stay in London, but if I don’t tell him, I would prefer to be kept in ignorance of the entire proceedings.”
