“That is what is said,” Darden said, “that she and her parents were there for a fortnight.”
“But was there an engagement announced?” Miss Mayton said.
“No, nothing as of yet, I do not think,” Darden admitted.
“There now,” Miss Mayton said. “A young lady’s parents may drag her anywhere, but good luck to them trying to drag her to an altar. Even a weak-minded young lady will often put her foot down atthat.”
“Oh, Aunt,” Viola said, “you do not think he asked and was refused? I could not bear it. I could not bear to be chosen second. I could not imagine going along wondering if my husband was forever regretting what he could not have.”
“If I may inquire, my dear,” the earl said to his daughter, “how is it you know of this Baderston and have developed such strong feelings for him when you have not yet been out?”
“Rosalind introduced us when we were in our carriage in the park,” Viola said.
“It was a very short introduction,” Miss Mayton assured the earl.
“And he has red hair,” Juliet said, as if that point would clarify things in the earl’s mind.
“It is really more of a copper color,” Viola said. “The most charming shade I have ever seen.”
“And that is somehow significant?” the earl asked, puzzlement overtaking his features.
“Of course it is, Papa,” Cordelia said in an indulgent tone. “Because of the tinker’s boy Viola wished to marry.”
“What tinker’s boy!” the earl exclaimed.
“Do not trouble yourself, Father,” Viola said. “He never came back for me and I quite gave him up ages ago.”
“But she’s been dreaming of red hair ever since,” Juliet said.
The earl’s brow wrinkled. “So you say, then, that you would rather have been born with Cordelia’s shade?”
“No, Papa. Cordelia’s auburn suits her and my strawberry blond suits me. It is thegentleman’shair that strikes me. Now, Lord Baderston’s hair is a bit lighter than Cordelia’s but not so light as to make it surprisingly bright. You see?”
“Well, I hardly think a gentleman’s hair color…” the earl drifted off.
“Lord Darden,” Miss Mayton said, seeing the earl would never comprehend a woman’s feelings on the matter of hair color, “have you arranged for Viola to attend Almack’s on Wednesday? We feel certain he will be there.”
“Yes, of course, it’s all arranged. Voucher and tickets secured.”
“Darden is the dearest brother, is he not, Papa?”
“Yes, yes,” the earl said distractedly, looking as if he were still trying to work out why a certain hair color had become a vital point to his daughter.
“Excellent,” Miss Mayton said. “We shall go and we shall see that dear Lord Baderston only has eyes for Viola.”
Viola nodded gratefully at her aunt. It must be so. She’d thought of Lord Baderston for all these months! He’d been cemented in her mind. Certainly, she would not now discover that he preferred Lady Clara.
Who was this lady, anyway? Did she prefer red hair? Did she adore ham as much as Viola and Lord Baderston did? Did Lady Clara have anything at all in common with the gentleman?
Viola stopped her thoughts from running away from her. She must believe that all would be well. It must be.
The earl, seeming to have recovered himself from this most recent conversation with his daughters, said, “I wonder, Miss Mayton, if you would carry on reading to us tonight?”
Miss Mayton nodded. “Lord Darden, we are readingThe Harrowing Homecoming at Harrowbridge Hall.”
Darden laughed and said, “It sounds suitably harrowing.”
“You will not believe what has gone on so far, Son,” the earl said. “The duke has been in Egypt ever since his wife died, four years ago. Now he’s returned, but there is another gentleman who also claims to be the duke! The gentle governess does not know who, between them, she really loves. They have been competing for her love in the most energetic ways possible. Will she fall in love with the duke? Or will she fall in love with a charlatan?”
