“She says it will be tied down so it can’t float away completely.I am sure it cost her a mint to have it here.But that is the advantage, Tilly, of having a lady of such high rank in the family.Think of the opportunities for your future children.And with Lady Leith known to be such a fond sister too.I’m sure not half the sisters in England would care so much about a party of this nature thrown for her brother’s benefit.It’ll be put over one of the meadows, apparently.The hot-air balloon, that is.”
“Is it only for Gertrude and George?”Scarlett asked.
“No, no,” Vera said, situating herself in one of the armchairs.“They merely get to go up first.Anyone can go up; Lady Leith reassured us all.Butstill.It is not ideal, Tilly, to not have you up there with the young man.He does seem a better and better match as the days go by.”
Scarlett laughed, amused by how impressed Vera seemed by the marchioness and her hot-air balloon.
“It is no laughing matter, Scarlett,” Vera said.“It is a wonderful opportunity for you, Matilda.Especially since you’ve been out for four seasons.”
“Mama!It’s not like I haven’t had offers.”
“I know, my girl, and I have said nothing.A lady gets to make her own decisions in this regard, of course.But no lady should assume that offers will continue forever.If you can get Mr.Salisbury, I believe you should.”
“I absolutelycan.I practically have,” Tilly objected.
“Well,” Vera said.“That may be—but he’s going up in the hot-air balloon with Gertrude Wallington tomorrow.”
She pronounced this future event as if it were one mere step away from the altar.
“And Miss Wallington may have him in the hot-air balloon!”Tilly exclaimed.“You know I have a dreadful fear of heights.”
“Hmm.”Vera sniffed.“You must just hope then, dear, that they don’t fall in love in the air.”
Tilly rolled her eyes but remained silent.
“At the very least,” Vera continued, “that mousy Miss Marburry appears to be out of the running.Mrs.Salisbury hasn’t even tried to get her in her son’s eyeline, as far as I can tell.”
“I noticed that as well,” Scarlett chimed in.
“I hope she isn’t too disappointed,” Tilly said.“She does seem like a nice girl.”
“Yes, a very nice girl who I hope marries somewhere far from Parkhorne Hall,” Vera said.
“Mother!”Tilly objected.
“What?I cannot lament, my dear, that the competition seems to have become a two-horse race.Not when the prize is gaining value every day in my eyes.”
Tilly gave a huff of indignation.“Really,Mother.”
Vera turned toward Scarlett.“And how is Mr.Brown?Heishandsome, but a country bumpkin from what I understand.He’s hardly seen society, to hear Mrs.Salisbury tell it, although she demurs on the matter, of course.Very odd that he hasn’t traveled to London to see the marchioness there.She has her other brothers there near constantly, from what I understand.”
“He is very amiable.”
“Good,” Vera said.“I wouldn’t want you to suffer.And now, I must nap.I’ll positively perish without a nap.”
No, Scarlett thought, she was at no risk ofsufferingat the hands of Mr.Malcolm Brown.
She found, in fact, far too much pleasure by that exact mechanism.
She closed her eyes and suppressed a moan.
Once more, she must endeavor to forget the matter entirely.
Chapter Fifteen
Yet again, Malcolmcould not forget it.
None of it, in fact.
