“Your mother hinted at interfering in your sisters’ decisions,” Mrs. Northrop said, “but you feel your sisters were forced?”
“Heavily coerced,” Odette said. “Jack and I know my parents would do so again. It is a frustratingly impossible situation.”
A gentle smile answered. “I have yet to encounter a truly impossible situation. This onewillbe difficult, though.”
Odette hardly dared believe what she thought she was hearing. “You do not mean to object? My parents might be upset.”
Mrs. Northrop slipped her arm through Odette’s and began walking with her along the garden path. “I did not become a matchmaker in order to make certain that the whims of the parents of thetonruled supreme. I did just tell you of my second rule.”
Odette shook her head. “But I cannot object to Mr. Lexington’s age or life or character.”
“That is not the principle beneath the rule, Odette. Rule number two is my requirement that any match for which I advocate must be onebothpeople feel will contribute to their happiness, a match they both choose freely and fully.”
“And if I told you that a match with Mr. Lexington would not secure my happiness?”
“I would be so shaken by surprise as to be incapacitated for weeks on end.” Mrs. Northrop delivered the declaration with too stony an expression and too dry a tone to be truly serious.
For the first time since coming to London, Odette drew a nearly serene breath. “Jack and I don’t know what to do. The closest thing to a plan we could concoct was to do our utmost to avoid a match while in Town and then spend the autumn and winter bringing our parents around to the idea of a connection between us.”
“His parents in particular, no doubt.” Mrs. Northrop’s brow puckered in a look of thoughtfulness devoid of true worry. “But they, you said, have their hearts set on Miss Summerfield.”
Odette nodded.
“How does Miss Summerfield feel about this?”
“I cannot say.”
They walked a few minutes more. Mrs. Northrop did not speak. Odette embraced the rare moment of companionship. She had been quite alone the past weeks with no one to easily share her burdens. Jack would have, if he’d been permitted. Odette might have had any number of friends to lean upon if she’d not been forced to keep all the world at a distance.
“I have the beginnings of an idea,” Mrs. Northrop said, “one I think may just prove ingenious.”
The lady did not lack for confidence.
“It will require a few things, however.”
Odette could not imagine anything that would not be worth enduring if it meant securing the future she and Jack were so desperate to claim.
“I will need to speak with Mr. Hewitt,” Mrs. Northrop said. “He, you must understand, has been going about this entirely wrong.”
Had they undermined their own chances? “What do you mean to require of him?”
Mrs. Northrop shook her head. “You need not worry about that. You have a couple of tasks of your own.”
She waited in silence, knowing Mrs. Northrop would press forward.
“First, you will diligently work at shedding your Princess Pompous moniker. I understand your reason for it now, but Mrs. Hewitt’s good opinion is paramount in this endeavor. You will never secure it if you continue as you have been.”
That made sense, and yet . . . “If the other mothers of thetonor any gentlemen who have not entirely lost interest begin to see me as agreeable—”
“I have full control over the remainder of your Season. You will not be browbeaten into an unwanted match. I swear to you.”
She wanted so desperately to believe it. “You said there were multiple things you required of me.”
“Only one other.” She met Odette’s eye with her firm and unwavering gaze. “You are to befriend Miss Summerfield. Not with ulterior motives or insincerity, but truly befriend her.”
Befriend the lady who might very well steal away all her hopes? “What would that accomplish?”
Mrs. Northrop patted her hand in a very maternal way. “This is not negotiable, nor is it something I mean to debate with you. Repair Society’s perception of you. Honestly befriend Miss Summerfield. Those are my requirements.”
