“Do not apologise for honesty,” she told her firmly. “Society would have us all demur and bluff and dance around the truth to our heart’s content, making liars out of us all. You should be proud of your frankness.”
“Lavinia is right,” Katherine confirmed. “Besides – and I didn’t want to tell you this, in case you got a little too vain – but you are being talked about a good deal in Society at the moment.”
Pippa gulped. “Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?”
The women laughed.
“It is both,” Katherine conceded. “But you are generally well-liked, Pip. Your manners are good, honest and forthright, with no coyness or affectation. You are pretty, you are pleasant, intelligent, and rather charming. Of course, you have no fortune, which is a mark against you, but really, that only serves to deter the less eligible gentlemen. You don’t want to be sought after by fortune-hunters, do you?”
Pippa paled. “Fortune-hunters?”
Lavinia nodded seriously. “That is why – against your mother’s wishes – we have put about that you have no dowry and no fortune, and are not likely to get anything from William or I. Sometimes, fortune-hunters marry women who are not as rich as they thought. It never ends well.”
She found herself envisioning marriage to a man who was one of thesefortune-hunters, a man who had imagined her to be a rich woman. She imagined his rage and fury against her once he discovered the truth and shuddered.
Katherine shot Lavinia a reproving look and laid a hand on Pippa’s shoulder.
“Don’t scare her, Lavinia! Pip, you must not fret. We won’t let you marry a man like that. Men of good quality generally have fortunes of their own. So long as you don’t have your eye on a duke or something like that, I imagine you can make quite a good match.”
Pippa smiled faintly. “I see. Thank you, Kat. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful.”
“You don’t,” Lavinia said firmly. “And don’t worry so much about ingratitude.”
Katherine leaned back again, eyeing Pippa narrowly.
“You dowantto be married, don’t you, Pip?”
“Of course. Naturally, I want a husband.”
“There is nothingnaturalabout it,” Katherine said firmly. “Not all women are inclined towards marriage, just like not all men are. If you don’t wish to marry, Pip, now is the time to tell us.”
“I am not opposed to the idea,” Pippa answered carefully, “Although I did always rather want to marry for love. I know that isn’t practical, but…”
“Not practical?” Lavinia laughed. “Imarried for love, and I have secured a duke.”
Katherine chuckled, elbowing her sister-in-law.
“Careful, Lavinia. That’s my brother you’re talking about, there. However, she is right, Pip. I married for love, too. All three of my brothers did, as well.”
Pippa cleared her throat. “I’m happy for you, really. But I just don’t believe I am lucky enough, or pretty enough, or rich enough, to have those choices.”
“I was not rich,” Lavinia remarked quietly.
“Nor was Timothy, but I loved him all the same,” Katherine added. “The thing is, Pip, marrying for love is not really a matter of luck, or beauty, or wealth. It is aboutintegrity, about knowing what you are searching for and not resting until you find it. And integrity is something I believe thatyouhave in abundance.” She paused, tilting her head to one side. “Mayhap alittleluck won’t hurt, though.”
Pippa had to laugh at that. The conversation drifted away from men and marriage to more mundane matters. She sat back in her seat, sipping tea, and letting her thoughts drift.
They made it sound so easy – marrying for love and no other reason. It couldn’t possibly be so simple.
Certainly not with Mama around,Pippa thought, barely suppressing a sigh.
For the first time, though, she felt as though she had someone else to discuss the matter with. Before, there was of course only Mama. Others would listen politely if she insisted on speaking of such matters, quietly praying for her to stop talking and likely resolving to speak to Bridget about it all.
But Lavinia and Katherine were different. They werefamily. They cared.
It feltright.
I’m glad we came here,Pippa thought.I feel almost safe here.
