Elinor gave her friend a disapproving shake of her head. “Maisie… you know your mother would not approve of you saying such a thing.”
“It is true,” Miss Cowen said, her eyes still fixed on Alden. “My mother is quite the prude, but I have read many books on the subject.”
Alden turned his attention to Elinor, silently pleading for her help. He had no desire to marry someone that was so bold in their intentions.
Elinor must have understood what he was trying to convey because she rose. “I forgot that I promised Mr. Dandridge that we would go over the ledgers today.”
“Ledgers?” Miss Cowen repeated, her expression turning to one of disappointment. “But that is so boring. Why not stay here and we can play a game of chess? I am quite good at it. Everyone has told me so.”
“As tempting as that sounds…” Elinor started.
Miss Cowen spoke over her. “We could always go on a walk or have a cup of tea?” she asked eagerly. Too eagerly.
Alden decided it was best to intercede. “I do thank you for your hospitality, but we really do need to go.”
“Fine,” Miss Cowen responded, tossing her hands up in the air. “I have a headache anyways and I need to rest.”
“I do hope you don’t take offense—” Alden began.
Miss Cowen dropped down onto the settee. “I will be all right. You may go now.” She laid back and placed a pillow over her face.
Alden went to say something, but Elinor put her hand up to stop him. “I shall call upon you again, Maisie.”
“Don’t bother. I shall probably be dead the next time you see me,” Miss Cowen declared from beneath the pillow.
“You are not going to die,” Elinor reassured her gently.
Miss Cowen removed the pillow from her face and looked up at Elinor. “How would you know? You are not a doctor.”
Elinor smiled. “I am not, but I wish you well.”
“Thank you for stopping by,” Miss Cowen said, returning the pillow to her face with a sigh.
As Alden led Elinor from the manor, he asked, “Is Miss Cowen always like this?”
“She is not at her finest, I’m afraid,” Elinor replied. “But that is one of the many reasons why I just adore her. She is rather entertaining.”
“That could be a word for it,” Alden muttered.
Once Elinor and her lady’s maid were situated in the coach, Alden positioned himself across from them. “I find that women in Scotland are much more brazen than their English counterparts.”
“You seem to forget that it is not common for the son of an English earl to be looking for a Scottish wife in this small village,” Elinor pointed out. “But now that you have met all three ladies, is there one that strikes your fancy the most?”
This was it. Alden knew he had to lie in an attempt to make Elinor jealous. Would this ruse even work? “I suppose if I had to pick, I would pick Miss Cowen.”
Elinor furrowed her brows. “Miss Cowen?” she repeated. “As in the young woman we just visited?”
“Yes, I do think she was quite lovely,” he lied.
“Miss Cowen?” she echoed, her tone incredulous.
“Yes, Miss Cowen.”
She stared at him in disbelief. “You would marry Miss Cowen?”
Alden reached up and rubbed his chin, pretending to consider his words carefully. “She is quite beautiful, and I do believe the doctors in England could help with her headaches,” he said. “She is precisely what I am looking for in a young woman. She can dance, sing and I find many things intriguing about her”
Elinor pursed her lips. “Like what?”
