“Coward. Ask Lady Cecily to stop gawking at the flowers and step in here. And please tell Mrs. Williams I will be down shortly with the lists she requested.”
“Certainly, my lady.” Davis left, closing the door gently behind him.
Rose took off her spectacles and leaned back in her chair, wondering if it would more proper to receive Thomas in here instead of the front drawing room, where they would receive Cecily’s potential suitors. All those flowers would be overwhelming at best, and it would remind Rose that this was about business—whatever kind he had in mind—and not a social call. It might do well to demonstrate that to the rest of the household as well. The front drawing room was directly across from her father’s office, where he took care of the estate business, and this office was directly next door—a proper proximity. Her father would still be here. She could order tea and leave the door open...
Stop. You are making this more complicated than it is. It is a business call. You receive them all the time.
Yes. From vendors. Tradesmen. People involved in the running of a household. Not a marquess. Definitely not a marquess with a reprobate’s reputation. Not that Thomas would make any untoward move with her. After all, no man would. Lady Rose Timmons was beyond courting.
In light ofthatpleasant thought, Rose picked up her spectacles and quill and focused on a letter to her Aunt Sophie, she of the Yorkshire estate with a plethora of sheep, chickens, pigs, and horses, who resided a more than satisfactory distance from the cruelty and demands of theton. Whether or not Cecily found a husband this season, Rose would spend the winter in Yorkshire and begin her transition there. No matter what Dorothea Timmons had in mind for Rose’s future, she and her father had made other plans, and there was more than sheep in Yorkshire that needed her attention.
A light knock on the door stalled Rose’s thoughts and she looked up. Cecily stood there with a cluster of cards clutched in her hand. Her eyes were bright but confused. “There are so many!”
Rose motioned her forward. “Bring them.”
“They all want to cometoday! I could never see all these men in one afternoon!” Her words caught in her throat. “What do I tell them?”
Rose spread the cards on her desk. “Sit.” As Cecily dropped into a chair next to her desk, Rose pulled out another sheet of foolscap and began a list. “Some of the men you talked to last night will come without sending a request. This is permissible but can be a little harder to manage. We will allow time for that to happen, even if we have to keep them waiting in the morning room. But you need to start sending notes right away, which will help us manage the traffic.”
“Was it like this for you?”
Rose ignored the stab of pain she felt just below her ribcage. “No, but it was for Abigail and Beatrice. They were quite popular with the gentlemen, but you will be even more so. I will help you rank them and wrangle their visits.”
“A lioness with her cubs.” Cecily’s voice had a touch of admiration in it.
Rose peered at her. “My image is more of a Scotch collie with a damnable lot of sheep.”
Cecily’s light laughter made Rose smile. “Well, if anyone can manage them, you can.”
“Your confidence is heartwarming.” Rose made a note on the first card and handed it back to Cecily. “No. He is a coward and a cad who cheats at cards. Send him a note immediately thanking him for his flowers and wishing him well in his search for a bride.”
“That’s harsh.”
Rose scoffed. “Subtlety is lost on men. Be polite but direct. If he persists, the next response will come from Papa. Don’t forget that.”
“Ah. We don’t want that.”
“No.” She read the second card, made a note on it, and added the name to her list. “Ask him to come at two today. With luck, he’ll be your first caller. He would be a good match, but will be in much demand by the other ladies.”
So it went, until Cecily had appointments set for the rest of the week. “We will work in the unexpected ones, but limit the number you’re juggling at one time. I’ve tried to leave enough time between the set ones to allow you to rest. Remember that you do not have to entertain anyone you do not wish to. Anyone who becomes unbearable—for any reason—you can send packing. Or you can signal me, and I’ll do it. Since Mother has left this to me, I can be as impossible as you need me to. Mother still has to be in Society as Father’s countess and see you married. I have no such restrictions.”
Cecily looked taken aback. “But you will not do anything to hurt my prospects.”
Rose took off her spectacles and rubbed the bridge of her nose. God, she hated the things. “Of course not. I want to see you happily settled. I merely intend for them to toe the line. As long as they are gentlemen, I will sit in the corner with my book and make no sound.” She gestured at the cards clutched once again in Cecily’s hand. “You have some good prospects there, including that young earl and the marquess. It speaks well of them that they sent a request for an audience with you. If you like them, be sure you save a dance for them at the next ball where you both are in attendance.”
“Is that not a little forward?”
Rose shook her head. “Perfectly proper and it conveys your interest withoutbeing forward.”
“Ah.” Cecily paused, glanced down at the notes, then back at Rose. “Do you hate this part as much as I do? I mean, I like the parties and the dancing and all the fun. But this—”
“I do. But withoutthis—there would be no parties or balls or dancing. Unfortunately, they all go hand in hand.”
“The Marriage Mart.”
“Indeed.”
“Did you get your meetings with Mrs. Williams taken care of?”
