“Yes, Lord Lyon is consulting with Mrs. Martin in his quest for a wife. He’s decided the time has come.”
Thea kicked Mirabel under the table. What was she doing?
“Ow,” Mirabel had the ill grace to say. She frowned at Thea. “Why hide the fact? That these gentlewomen are here is proof enough that the word is all over town.”
“Well, not all over,” Mrs. Pomfrey said, “but we’ve heard. Then again, we’ve all been waiting. I was saying to Mr. Pomfrey just last week that if I had my pick of all the suitable gentlemen in London to marry my Susanne, it would be Lord Lyon.”
Lady Montvale turned to Thea, giving her goodfriend her back. “My daughter Cynthia is of marriageable age and the leading debutante this year. They call her the Nonpareil of the season.”
“How nice for her,” Thea said.
“I don’t want to brag—,” Lady Montvale said, leaning in to Thea as if to share confidences, until Mrs. Pomfrey placed her arm in front of her as to block any movement.
“You already have been bragging,” Mrs. Pomfrey interjected bluntly. “A very unattractive habit it is.”
Lady Montvale ignored her, continuing, “But Princess Caroline complimented Cynthia on her voice. Said she’d heard Italian singers who paled in comparison to my Cynthia. Of course, we’ve seen that she’s had the finest teachers. Lord Montvale and I have poured everything we have into our daughter. Talent such as hers should not be ignored.”
“Well,” Mrs. Pomfrey said, setting down her teacup, “singing is fine, butanyonecan sing. It’s God given, after all. Open your mouth; let noise come out ... However,mySusanne plays the pianoforte. That takes talent! The first time Prinny heard her play, he gave her a standing ovation. The Prince adores music. He said Susanne could play for him any day.”
Lady Montvale’s smile grew tighter. “Prinny acclaims my Cynthia’s dancing. He says she is lighter than air.”
“How interesting,” Mrs. Pomfrey said, unimpressed. “He said the same of my Susanne. Furthermore, my husband’s family has excellent bloodlines. He is descended from the Conqueror.”
“As ismyhusband’s,” Lady Montvale returned, and Thea put her hands up to stop the conversation before it became too heated.
“Please, my ladies, I understand. You would like to have your daughters introduced to Lord Lyon.”
“Of course we do,” Lady Montvale said. “Why else would we track you down?”
Mirabel’s gaze met Thea’s over her teacup. Thea suspected Mirabel was hiding her laughter.
Mrs. Pomfrey began waxing on, “You must pardon our being forward, but Lord Lyon would be such an excellent husband for Susanne—”
“Or Cynthia,” Lady Montvale added.
“—and he is so reclusive,” Mrs. Pomfrey continued, “that we must resort to any means necessary to catch his attention. So tell me, how are you going to go about introducing him to my daughter? My husband and I would be very pleased to host a dinner—”
“No, it should be at Montvale House,” her ladyship said. “In fact, I should have a house party in the country. That way there will be no distractions to keep him from acquainting himself withmydaughter—”
“Andmine,” Mrs. Pomfrey said.
“We shall see,” her ladyship replied breezily. “I haven’t decided the guest list.”
“You would cut Susanne out? Your own goddaughter?” Mrs. Pomfrey demanded. She didn’t wait for an answer but turned to Thea. “If it is a house party, then we should go to our family estate at Trumbull. It’s closer to London and twice the size of Lady Montvale’s.”
“People would be lost in a house that size,” Lady Montvale returned.
“It would be a pity if the person lost wasyourdaughter” was Mrs. Pomfrey’s tart reply.
“That was unkind—,” Lady Montvale started, but her friend wagged a finger at her.
“This is competition for high stakes, my dear. Friendship can’t be considered.”
“Then perhaps it’s best I not invite you when Lord Lyon comes to Wavertree formyhouse party.”
“You needn’t worry, my dear. He’ll most certainly prefer being atmine.”
“And to think Ivaluedyour friendship,” Lady Montvale spit out, coming to her feet.
