Page 19 of Lavender’s Lost Duke

“Spy?” Lavender whipped her head toward Miss Dalrymple. Still trying to process the fact that Lord Chilcott was the duke’s cousin. “I assure you, I do not intend to spy. I am not hiding. People just don’t seem to notice that I am close by when they have their conversations. It has been like that my entire life.”

Miss Dalrymple smiled. “I must admit a good helping of jealousy. I can only imagine the things I would learn if people spoke uncensored around me. But almost everything I see is a facade of people’s true feelings. There are few who are genuine.”

Lavender agreed. “It is difficult to know what is an act and what is not.” Lord Chilcott’s most recent interaction included.

“I’ve found that consistency is usually where the truth lies. If I hear about something that is consistent with the character of a person, I am more prone to trust it. People that change in different company are the ones I watch out for.”

“That makes sense.” Though it was a heavy subject to discuss at a soiree. Even more, Miss Dalrymple was an entirely different woman without her mother beside her; she was more open and friendly.

“You are consistent, though.” Miss Dalrymple smiled at Lavender. “It is why I have decided we ought to put our mothers’ spat behind us and become friends.”

“I am flattered.”

Miss Dalrymple looked out once more amongst the guests gathering again to hear the music. “You’ve always been consistent, you know? You are always present, but you don’t draw attention to yourself. You are here to find a husband—don’t take offense, we all are—but you are not desperate.”

Lavender felt a sliver of guilt. “Actually, I am quite desperate. I do not have the comfort of time on my side.”

Miss Dalrymple’s face transformed into one of great concern. “Is it because of your father’s health?”

“It is,” Lavender dropped her voice. “He wants me to wed before the consumption. . .”

Miss Dalrymple put a hand to her mouth. “Oh dear, I am so sorry. I always liked your father. But then, it makes sense that he wouldn’t want you to wait for the mourning period to be over before you find the security you need with a husband.”

“I have no concerns about my immediate security. Ash would take care of me. It is more a concern of my marriageability. I am not getting any younger.”

Miss Dalrymple put a hand on Lavender’s gloved arm. “You are not on the shelf yet. I am two years your senior and still looking for my own match.”

“Yet being the operative word.”

“Allow me to give you a bit of advice. Your likelihood of finding a husband while you hold up the walls of the room are not very high.”

Lavender grimaced a little. “Yes, Her Grace has told me as much. It does not come natural for me to change my habits.”

Miss Dalrymple pulled Lavender from the wall by one hand. “Come, let’s go sit by Lord Chilcott. He would make an excellent match for you.” Miss Dalrymple’s interest in Lavender compared to a few days ago at tea was markedly noticeable.

“Isn’t Lord Chilcott a little . . . ornery?” It was the kindest word she could come up with for the man. He was self-absorbed, did not keep his appointments, and vengeful. Lavender was about as familiar with the man as she wanted to be.

“Yes, he is, a little. But your mother did always wish for one of her girls to marry someone with a title. Besides that, there are consistently other gentlemen around him. He tends to be a collector of people. If you can also be collected, there will be numerous opportunities for you to meet other gentlemen.”

Lavender had noticed Lord Chilcott had quite a following, and it seemed to grow at each event she saw him. “Very well, only do not make me sing. I simply refuse to be in front of this many people.”

Miss Dalrymple clapped her hands and brought them to her chest. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Lavender breathed a little easier. If she could bring her father some peace before he passed, the discomfort of finding a husband would be worth it.

The two women sat next to Miriam, the duke, and his mother. Miss Dalrymple leaned over to speak to the duchess. “I hope you don’t mind if I join forces with you, Your Grace. We simply must find someone suitable for our lovely Lady Lavender to wed.”

Lavender looked around her, acutely aware that there might be listening ears. “I believe we ought to discuss this later, Miss Dalrymple.”

Miriam smiled at Lavender. “Perhaps Miss Dalrymple can call on us tomorrow morning?”

The meeting was decided upon just before the next musician was invited to perform. Lavender’s heart thumped wildly within her chest at the thought of these two women deciding which gentleman she would be shackled with forever. The two could not be more different. Miriam was a staunch believer in true love, and Miss Dalrymple seemed far more logically minded. Lavender wasn’t sure why she was suddenly uneasy about the idea. She took a deep breath. They could meddle all they wanted. In the end, the decision would still lie with her. And as there was no gentleman who held her heart, maybe whomever they chose would be sufficient.

The question remained. What type of man was she looking for, if not a love match? She felt as directionless as a leaf falling from a tree, at the mercy of the wind. Perhaps it was better for her to begin with what she was not looking for. She imagined Mr. Lanscombe and their last meeting together. The first thing Lavender would simply not abide was a gentleman who wanted to keep their relationship a secret. She would only accept someone who was proud to be courting with her.

She thought about the things that made her happy. If she wasn’t aiming for love, she could, at the very least, aim for happiness. Books made her happy. She would look for someone with a magnificent library. One of her closest friends was Henry, so she would want someone who would allow her to choose her own staff, even if it meant upsetting the household. With any luck, Lavender would be able to convince her old gardener to come live with her. He could fill the fatherly role she would need in her life once her own father passed on.

Her thoughts stopped there. Who was she to be contemplating all the things that would make her happy with life when her family was on the brink of being torn apart forever?