“But aren’t we supposed to be visiting? Isn’t courtship kind of the entire point of the Season?” Lily still felt a bit guilty about their proposition.
Rachel said, “If you’re too nice to get them to leave, then you’re wasting their time as well as yours.”
“And I think we all know that none of yourcurrentvisitors have any chance of wooing you. Or am I wrong?” Beatrice said.
Both ladies looked at Lily expectantly.
“You’re not wrong,” she finally grumbled. “What do you want me to do?”
“Nothing, of course,” Rachel said. “This isn’t your task; you’d only get in the way.”
“Right,” Beatrice added. “You’re not a rat terrier. You’re a lovely, friendly retriever.”
Lily wasn’t quite sure whether she should be offended. “What shall I do?”
“Just be your lovely retriever self.” Beatrice grinned. “Rachel and I will take care of everything.”
“Do you mean you’ve planned this?” she said, her eyebrows raised.
“You needn’t sound so shocked. Ladies plan ways to entice gentlemen. Why would repelling them be any different?” Beatrice said.
“You aren’t going to be too mean to them, are you?” she asked earnestly.
“Don’t worry,” Rachel said, “you won’t be the one doing the repulsing. If you want them back later, all you have to do is single them out with a smile. We won’t ruin your chances with them for next Season, if that’s your concern.”
Next Season.The thought of it nearly took Lily’s breath away. Of course it would be assumed that Lily would have a second Season—she hadn’t secured a husband in her first. Lily was cut off from replying by the butler’s sudden appearance.
“Wonderful.” Rachel fluffed her skirts. “Here comes the firstRattusnow.”
Lord Gibbs was Lily’s first visitor. He was pale and portly, and rumored to be in search of a wealthy bride. Lily heard that he split his time between the five wealthiest parlors in London. The only thing that could be said in his favor was that he wasn’t trying to court sisters within the same family. Whatever plan Rachel had, Lily would feel little sympathy for Lord Gibbs.
After the initial furor of introductions and the offering of refreshments, Lily sipped her tea and did her best not to appear as if she were waiting for a play to start.
“Are you interested in the sciences, Lord Gibbs?” Beatrice asked politely.
“Indeed. I enjoy attending scientific lectures whenever I have the opportunity.”
“How fascinating,” Lily said politely.
Rachel leaned forward and asked, “Did you know, Lord Gibbs, that the female mantis often beheads its partner?”
Though Lily had been warned, she still somehow wasn’t expecting it; she nearly choked on her tea. Beatrice frowned at her. Lily gave her wide eyes of apology.
“I didn’t know that, no.” He frowned.
Rachel appeared beatifically unaware of his disapproval. “And they are not the only ones who have a violent ritual. Why, there have been several reports of octopi where the male is fatally injured in the process.”
Lord Gibbs only managed a shocked sort of blink.
Rachel continued, “And there is a male spider in New South Wales that volunteers for his execution. You see, while the female?—”
“I hardly think this is an appropriate topic,” he spluttered.
“My apologies.” Rachel blinked, all innocence. “I thought you said you were interested in the sciences.”
“Perhaps he’d rather discuss new surgical techniques,” Beatrice said with a vacant smile.
Lily recognized the expression—it was the smile Beatrice gave when she was desperately trying not to laugh.
