“Who is ‘we’ exactly?” she asked.
“Lords Duncan and Beaufort, another of Duncan’s sons you have yet to meet, and me. The four of us. I left with Lord Duncan in fear you would take notice of us.”
His sister blushed again. “Yet, the other two viewed Caroline’s actions and reported it to you?”
Alexander reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “You are what is important to me. I will learn to love whoever you love. Yet, I would have you know more caution, if this is the road you wish to travel. Any number of people could be called upon to testify against you two.”
His sister frowned. “I can honestly say, I love no one, at least, not romantically.” She blushed deeply, but she, obviously, made herself make eye contact with him. “Since as long as I can recall, Caroline has been my closest confidante. From the day Uncle Jacobi rescued me from the bayman in Honduras, I was intended to be Caroline’s playmate. Naturally, we have been each other’s closest associate for some fifteen years.” She paused before adding, “In truth, with the kiss, I experienced revulsion, but I did not know how to respond. Caroline called me a ‘pea goose.’”
“And you possess no experience in such situations,” he finished for her.
“Do you have such experience?” she asked. Their conversation had turned very awkward. Did all brothers and sisters speak of such intimacies? Somehow, Alexander doubted it.
It was his turn to blush. He swallowed hard before saying, “Men of a certain turn search the rookeries for young boys. Some go ‘willingly,’ for they require the funds these men offer in order to assist their families. Some may go because these encounters are all they know. I cannot say with any assurance. Such is not a topic one has in the slews. Yet, it is true even a few precious pence can be the difference between starvation and survival, and these men always pay much more than a few pence, more than enough to assist a family for months at a time.”
“But not you?” she asked.
“Not me,” he responded in adamant tones. “More than once, someone attempted to grab me, but I, generally, put up such a ruckus, the man would walk away quickly. Socially, these men do not wish anyone to recognize them.” He paused before explaining, “I thought I left all those experiences behind, but quite a few of the older boys at school and even some of the tutors and professors seek out the younger ones or those boys who are not as robust, shall we say, as the others. When I learned your cousin kissed you, I knew surprise. I never thought of—” He gestured wildly with his hands. “Likely this conversation makes me sound naïve.”
His sister seemed to take some comfort in Alexander’s awkwardness. “Neither of us had a family where a person might discuss anything of importance nor even ask for advice. Other than the dance I shared with you, I have never been in a man’s company, that is, in a social situation.”
“I am glad your first foray into society landed in my hands,” Alexander assured. “It is as if our mother was watching out for the both of us on that particular evening.”
“It would be nice to think so,” she said. “However, I have made an enemy of Lady Theodora.”
“Theodora will come around,” Alexander assured.
“Is it your intention to marry the lady?”
Alexander’s frown returned. “I have always thought so. Theodora really is the most spectacular young woman anyone could hope to meet, but neither Duncan nor I have done her justice. Both you and she are daughters of an earl, but Duncan has yet to provide her a Season, which has Theodora frightened that British society will soon term her as being on the shelf.
“She and I have always spoken of marriage—have spoken of the possibility often—but I could not quite devote myself to the idea of marrying without having first found you and our mother. When Duncan confirmed our mother’s death, it was as if someone had swept my legs from beneath me, and I was falling into a bottomless abyss. I had failed miserably. Then he told me you were alive, but I was sworn to secrecy, and the more attention I showed you, which I could not quite resist, the more jealous Theodora became. While I was obsessed with returning you to my side, I left her guessing about her worthiness and her appeal. She thought I was infatuated with you, which is true, but not in the manner Theodora believed.”
“What is Lady Theodora’s age?” Annalise asked.
“Nineteen, going soon to twenty after the first of the year. By such an age, most English ladies are married. I am the only one who has courted her, and I have not done so in a proper manner. She is frightened that she will be considered undesirable, and, in truth, my attention upon her has kept many from her door, as if our marriage is a foregone conclusion. Duncan and I believe any potential suitors fear both him and me. You assuredly have heard Beaufort’s estimation of my ability to hit a target.”
Annalise sighed heavily. “I am twenty and have never been courted.”
Alexander chucked. “We are quite the pair, are we not?”
“The eccentric Dutton family,” she said with a grin, her embarrassment gone. “Now, let us decide what we must do, after this investigation is over, to set our lives on sturdy ground. Ibelieve you should ask Lady Theodora if she would attempt to set my steps in society on the right path, and I will do my best to win her over as a friend.”
“Such might work, but I am seriously considering a proposal, so you should know both of us may fail,” he advised. “Theodora and Lady Orson called upon the Lyon’s Den for Mrs. Dove-Lyon to arrange a suitor for Theodora.”
“Caroline and Uncle have played cards there,” his sister said innocently.
“And have passed forged bank notes there,” he corrected.
“Oh, my…” Annalise sat in silence for a full minute while she digested what he had said. “You have assisted these people?” she pleaded. “I would not wish anyone to lose employment because of the actions of my uncle.”
“We have,” he confirmed.
“And this woman—this Mrs. Dove-Lyon—is a matchmaker?” Annalise asked.
“Mrs. Dove-Lyon has arranged several prominent marriages. Her terms generally require something embarrassing of the gentlemen. Most men of society believe it is because when her husband died, he left her more than a few debts. Her ‘bets’ and marriage arrangements are a means to exact revenge on society. Her husband’s family turned her out as soon as the man was in the grave. I plan to ascertain the terms of the agreement with Theodora and win the bet. Someone must be sincere in his pursuit of the woman before Mrs. Dove-Lyon will agree. Her bet is often a bit embarrassing, but it serves as proof of the gentleman’s sincerity. With all that being said, you, more quickly than you have anticipated, must put Caroline Moreau aside and embrace Lady Theodora Duncan. I can warrant that Dora might be harder to win over, but her loyalty will last a lifetime. I doubt you will soon be able to say the same of Caroline Moreau.”
“Then what am I to do regarding Caroline?”
