Picking up her teacup, Harriet blew gently on the hot liquid. “The storm has startled even me. It must be either huge or it’s stuck over London.”
“You are possibly right. I’m just thankful we got home before the streets got worse.”
Nothing was said between the two of them for a couple of minutes. “I’ve noticed you’re speaking a lot more. Is it because you’re comfortable here?” Daphne asked.
Harriet could feel her cheeks grow hot. “I suppose so. My mother is so commanding. She treats me like I don’t have a brain. I need to get over my fear of her.”
“We’ll work on that,” Daphne replied, adding, “What do you like in a man?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“What sort of characteristics do you like? Tall, short, dark hair, light hair. Kind and gentle or more a rake type.”
“I’m not sure. Mother always told me to take whoever takes an interest in me,” Harriet replied.
“Your mother’s not here, so why don’t you think about what I just asked.”
“Well, I’ve never been around too many socially. Men, that is. They were usually sons of friends of my parents, and they were just being polite. They never spoke more than necessary.”
“Good. That’s a start,” Daphne replied.
“Kind. He would have to be kind. I abhor men who are loud and are braggarts. I prefer a gentleman.”
Harriet watched as Daphne took a thoughtful sip of tea. “What are you thinking?”
Another lightning bolt lit up the sky and thunder made its mark before Daphne could answer. “I asked Arthur to discreetly make some inquiries on what men are putting themselves on the marriage mart this coming season.”
“Is that a good idea?”
Daphne nodded while putting her tea on the table. “I think it is. It’ll be interesting to see who he comes up with.”
“Yes, it will be.”
“The only man who comes to mind is the son of the Marquess of Birmingham. I know he was engaged to a young woman who left him at the altar.”
“She never showed up? That’s horrible.”
“It was. No one had a clue what she was plotting,” Daphne replied.
“Were you and Arthur there?”
“Yes, we had been invited. I swear that man stood there for an hour waiting before he told the guests there was going to be no wedding. He then invited everyone to the wedding breakfast at the request of the bride’s father.”
“So where was she?”
“Evidently, she fancied a young footman. No one in the family even had an inkling this had been developing,” Daphne replied.
Harriet shook her head. “I’m going to guess they ran off together and married somewhere along the way?”
“Yes, Gretna Green. What they’re doing now is unknown. Her father has all but disowned her. I understand through Arthur that her father did not give her dowry to the young man she married.”
Harriet giggled. “Can’t say I blame him. If he was in it for the money, he got a rude awakening.”
“Indeed.”
“So that’s why he’s on the marriage mart, though I can imagine it’s going to be tough for him. I’m sure he’s got a trust issue when it comes to women.”
Harriet was about to ask a question when Arthur strolled into the drawing room. “Ladies, my apologies. I’ve been in my study and only now was informed of your return.” He walked over to Daphne and planted a kiss on her cheek.
