“I’m sorry,” Lily said. “I didn’t know.”
“I don’t blame you,” Beatrice said, exhaling a laugh. “It’s impossible to pay attention to others’ progress when you’re being mobbed every day.”
“I’d hardly call it a mob,” Lily said wanly. She didn’t have the energy to argue.
“Your numbershavedropped off as of late.” Beatrice looked around. “Where on earth did Lord Hayes get off to?”
Lily couldn’t help it; she winced.
“Ah.” Beatrice’s eyes flickered to Rachel. “You were right.”
Lily thought it a bad sign that she couldn’t muster any indignation on her own behalf. So what if she and Bradford had been a topic of gossip? Someone was sure to notice his regular attendance. His absence, too.
“That’s why we’re here.” Rachel nodded.
“To cheer me up?” Lily’s eyebrows raised.
“I don’t think we’re qualified forthatparticular task,” Beatrice said.
“Beatrice invited me over to do what I do best.” Rachel gave a serene smile and a decisive nod as if she’d explained everything.
After a few moments, Lily said, “Pardon me, but what is your talent?”
“Getting stubborn suitors to go away, of course.”
Beatrice nodded. “I’ve noticed that while several of your beaux have caught the hint, you have quite a few who are remarkably tenacious.”
“Oh.” Lily twisted her fingers together. “I couldn’t ask you to?—”
“You didn’t ask,” Beatrice said. “I did.”
“But surely this isn’t the way to go about things,” Lily said lamely. “Perhaps I could try being ‘not at home’ again.”
“You’ve already done that several times,” Beatrice argued. “It never works; they just come back the next day.”
“Have you tried being ‘not at home’everyday?” Rachel asked. “If you’re willing to do that, then my efforts here are quite wasted.”
“I couldn’t do that to William,” Lily admitted. “He’s done so much to make this possible for us.”
And neither she nor any of her sisters were engaged. Lily was coming to terms with the fact that her first Season was quite hopeless, matrimonially speaking. If things didn’t turn around for her sisters—and quickly—there would be eight single Preston ladies in London next year. Their four younger sisters would return from Paris in mere months.
Rachel tilted her head. “Perhaps you lot might consider visiting Bath over the summer. It’s supposed to be very refreshing, and doubtless you would meet new gentlemen there.”
“And if not, there’s always New York.” Beatrice shrugged.
“I don’t think things are desperate as all that,” Lily said, her eyebrows winging upward.
“Whyever not?” Beatrice said. “I think travelling would be an adventure.”
“Only because you don’t get seasick or have a fear of enclosed spaces. Sea travel is far less delightful for me than you.”
“We’re getting ahead of ourselves. We should focus on salvaging what’s left ofthisSeason,” Beatrice said. “Which brings us neatly back to Rachel.”
“I’m not sure this is a good idea,” Lily said.
Beatrice threw up her hands. “If any gentleman hasn’t picked up on the fact that you’re listless, conversationally absent, and generally in a foul mood, he obviously isn’t paying attention toyouin the least. He is interested in a pretty placeholder of a wife, and nothing more.”
“He might as well go buy a life-sized doll,” Rachel added.
