“Steel is the new gold,” Lady Redvers said, excited again.
Mama’s gaze sparkled and not in a good fashion.
Royston put his hat back on. “Ladies, I’d better be going. I have an appointment.” He smiled at Angeline one last time before bowing and leaving.
The moment he was out of earshot, Lady Redvers angled towards Mama. “Mrs. Haywood, may I ask what game you’re playing?”
“What game, my lady?” Mama followed Royston with her gaze with too much interest. “I had no idea Lord Havisham’sformer footman was a baron now. My daughter didn’t inform me.” Her tone promised another long conversation later on in the privacy of their home.
“Not simply a baron but a very wealthy man whom the queen likes.” Lady Redvers let out a soft huff. “I must be blunt, Mrs. Haywood.”
“Please be,” Mama said.
Oh dear. Angeline had a hunch about where the conversation was going.
Lady Redvers lifted her chin. “My Georgiana thinks highly of Lord Wharton. She and the baron are clearly interested in each other.”
Really?Angeline cast a glance at Royston walking away. He’d seemed pleased by their secret encounter.
Mama smiled. “Forgive me, my lady, but I had the impression that Lord Wharton couldn’t remember your daughter from last night.”
Angeline shifted her weight.
Lady Redvers seemed about to stab Mama with her parasol. “I hope Lord Wharton will become Georgiana’s suitor.”
Mama didn’t flinch. “I wish you all the luck but forgive me again if I don’t understand. You have me quite confused. Miss Taylor is a viscount’s daughter, and Lord Wharton has only recently acquired a title. Yet you consider him a good match for your daughter when you so clearly expressed the reasons why Angeline and Miss Taylor wouldn’t have the same suitors.”
Angeline lightly poked Mama with her elbow. Mama was overstepping.
Lady Redvers flushed. “Well, you obviously aren’t aware of Lord Wharton’s strike of good luck and excellent skill for business. He invested the money and land profits that came with the title into his very successful steel factory. Wharton Steel has grown quickly, and now Lord Wharton has made more thantwo hundred thousand pounds in just two years. His income is growing each month,” she said the sum with awe, and Angeline couldn’t blame her.
Mama was speechless again, but Angeline could bet the gears and wheels in her brain worked furiously.
“Goodness me,” Mama said.
“Exactly.” Lady Redvers leant closer. “Rumour has it, Lord Wharton earns almost as much as the Duke of Devonshire, thanks to his business deals with other countries.” She let that information sink in for a while. “So you see, Mrs. Haywood, Lord Wharton is more than a suitable match for my daughter. But he seemed interested in Miss Haywood.” Resentment dripped from her voice.
Again, every set of eyes pointed at Angeline.
“You’re mistaken, my lady. See, I was in the Theatre Royal when the fire broke out and Royston… I mean, Lord Wharton helped me get out. He actually saved my life.”
Lady Redvers’s stern expression didn’t change. “I’m glad to know you and Lord Wharton are good acquaintances and nothing more. I hope your relationship with him will remain a good one. Now if you’ll excuse me. Good day, Mrs. Haywood and Miss Haywood.” She strode off with her maid behind her.
Angeline released a breath. “Heavens. Lady Redvers is like one of those dogs who mark their territory.”
Mama laughed, but the sound had an icy quality that left a trail of goosebumps on Angeline’s skin. “Perfect. Perfect.”
“What’s perfect? The comparison between Lady Redvers and dogs?”
“Change of plan, darling.” Mama hooked her arm through Angeline’s. “Your new target is dear Lord Wharton.”
“You must be joking. You heard Lady Redvers. She wants him to be her son-in-law.” Which was sad, but she didn’t believe Royston was interested in Miss Taylor.
“Who cares about what that hag wants? Two hundred thousand pounds isn’t a joke. My dear, you must learn the art of seduction.”
“No.” Angeline swallowed hard. “I won’t drug Royston. He saved my life, for Pete’s sake.”
“Royston. Very good.” A crease appeared on Mama’s forehead. “There won’t be any need for drugs. You like him, don’t you?”
“I… well… I’ll admit he’s a kind, handsome gentleman.” With a hearty scent and a strong body.
“Excellent. You won’t need to drug him. Have a nice tumble with him. I’ll do the rest, and that will be it.”
Angeline exhaled, tired of another argument with her mother. If Royston wanted to pay to spend a night with her, then she wouldn’t spend the night with him.
Andthatwould be it.
