“So… what did you tell Mrs. Dove-Lyon when you met with her?”
Here, Cornelius allowed a heavy sigh. “I fear I was a bit misled about her matchmaking business.”
“Misled?” she repeated. “She’s a matchmaker.”
“Who specializes in finding titled men for ladies who are… unlikely to marry, even though they have a hefty dowry,” he explained.
“Unlikely… like Cathy, or…?”
“Ruined,” he stated. “My Catherine is not a ruined woman, as far as I know.”
“Oh, I can assure you she is not,” Eliza said.
“However, her reputation as a bluestocking does make finding a suitable match that much more difficult,” he finished.
“Oh, dear,” Eliza said, her face displaying worry. “I gave her the calling card you gave to me,” she said. “For Mrs. Dove-Lyon.”
“I appreciate it. That means she would have heard of the woman before she made contact.”
“Contact?” Eliza inhaled softly. “You… youhiredher?”
He nodded. “I was sent word Mrs. Dove-Lyon has paid a call on Catherine at her place of employment.” He displayed another grimace. “I really wish she had landed a position at a circulating library rather than a bookshop that publishes books,” he groused. “I specifically asked her not to work for a competitor.”
Eliza patted his arm. “You can hardly consider them a competitor, given the few books they publish,” she argued. “Besides, the circulating libraries in town only employ men.”
“Their loss,” he huffed.
“Do you suppose the matchmaker has already found someone for her?” Eliza set aside her cup and saucer on the low table and angled her body, so her knees nearly touched his.
He noticed, his lips quirking. “I haven’t heard a word since my meeting with the Widow of Whitehall,” he replied, “however, I do believe my offer of twenty pounds has provided enough incentive to begin the matchmaking process.”
“Twenty pounds?” she repeated in awe.
“There will be much more expected should she be successful.” At seeing Eliza’s widened eyes, he added, “Don’tworry, my dearest. I’ll take it from her marriage portion when it’s time to discuss a contract with whomever agrees to marry her.”
“And when she does marry… does that mean—?”
“We shall marry,” he stated firmly. “At that point, we can sell this house and set aside the funds for your future and those of our children, should we be blessed with any.”
Eliza nearly bounced with excitement at hearing his words, her knees brushing against his in the process.
“Careful, my dearest, or we shall be eating our dinner in your bed,” he whispered.
Eliza tittered. “You say that as if you think I would find the idea appalling,” she countered, grinning in delight.
Cornelius felt the heat of desire. “How long until dinner?” he asked, his gaze darting about until he saw the Baroque-style clock on the fireplace mantel. He cocked an eyebrow when he saw they had nearly a half-hour. “Dessert first and then dinner in bed, it is,” he said happily.
“I’ll let the cook know,” she said.
The two left the parlor at a near run and headed for the stairs.
Chapter Sixteen
Two Portraits, One Curious Woman
Meanwhile, at Gunter’s Tea Shop
Catherine’s heart skippeda beat at the suggestion they go to Matthew’s house directly from the tea shop. “You do realize if anyone sees me entering your house at this time of night,you’llbe the topic of gossip in your neighborhood?” She had the benefit of a woolen mantle with a hood, which would easily hide her identity.
