Mrs. MacBain let out a bark of laughter. “No, they hated each other,” she declared. “My mother had married him when she was six and ten years old and she wasn’t sure how to go on without him. But there was no love lost there.”
Alden glanced down at his tea, feeling awkward. “I see,” he muttered.
“But enough about me,” Mrs. MacBain said. “I would much rather learn more about you.”
Leaning forward, Alden placed his nearly full cup and saucer onto the tray. “I am the second son of an earl…”
Mrs. MacBain interrupted him, pointing towards his teacup. “Are you going to finish that?” she asked.
“Um… yes,” he replied. He didn’t quite understand the urgency of finishing his tea right at this precise moment.
“It is all right if you don’t,” Mrs. MacBain said. “I will just pour it back into the teapot so we can use it for later.”
Alden studied Mrs. MacBain, wondering if she was truly serious.
Miss Sidney handed Mrs. MacBain her teacup. “I am finished,” she said.
Mrs. MacBain accepted her cup and poured it back into the teapot. “There. Waste not, want not,” she declared as she placed the empty teacup down onto the tray. “Now, wherewere we? Oh, yes. Mr. Dandridge was telling me about himself.”
“Yes, as I was saying…” Alden began.
Bringing a hand to her forehead, Mrs. MacBain interrupted again, “I am sorry, but I can’t focus on anything but that incessant crying.”
“It isn’t so bad,” Miss Sidney attempted to reassure her.
Mrs. MacBain abruptly rose, causing Alden to stand, as well. “Excuse me for a moment,” she said before she exited the drawing room.
Shifting on the settee towards him, Miss Sidney asked, “What do you think about Gwendolyn?”
What did he think? He was beginning to think he wanted more than just someone who had a pretty face.
His thoughts were interrupted by Mrs. MacBain shouting, “Shut that baby up! I am trying to secure a marriage proposal from the son of an earl!”
Alden had heard enough. He didn’t want to marry Mrs. MacBain. At first glance, she had seemed perfect, but he couldn’t tie himself to this woman for the remainder of his days.
“Shall we go?” Alden asked, extending his arm to Miss Sidney.
Miss Sidney furrowed her brow. “Already?”
“I do not think that Mrs. MacBain and I would make a good match,” Alden admitted. “I would like to meet the other young women that you mentioned.”
Rising, Miss Sidney accepted his arm and they walked towards the main door.
Mrs. MacBain met them in the entry hall, a pout on her lips. “Are you leaving so soon?” she asked.
“I’m afraid so,” Miss Sidney replied. “We have some urgent business at the horse farm that we need to tend to.”
“Very well, but I do hope Mr. Dandridge calls upon meagain,” Mrs. MacBain said as she batted her eyelashes at him. “I just had some mistletoe put up.”
Not wanting to dignify her words with a response, Alden bowed. “Mrs. MacBain, it was a pleasure to meet you.”
Mrs. MacBain took a step closer to him and ran her hand down his sleeve. “Miss Sidney told me that you are looking for a wife. I do hope you will consider me. I can promise that I would make you very happy.”
“I shall think on it,” Alden said.
Taking a step back, Mrs. MacBain turned her attention towards Miss Sidney. “Elinor,” she started, “as always, it was a pleasure.”
Alden led Miss Sidney out of the manor and into the awaiting coach. Once the door was closed, he said, “Please say the next young woman doesn’t have any children.”
