“But now he’s…” the matchmaker waved a gloved hand toward the bookshelf, “no longer in need of your skills? Betrothed to Mrs. Eliza Buxton, is he not?”
Catherine swallowed, surprised. “He is courting her, yes. How did you know?” For a moment, she remembered what Eliza had said in the town coach.She came highly recommended, but I didn’t think I could afford her services. And now it sounds as if I don’t need them.
Catherine glanced down at the card and knew the one in her carriage gown pocket was exactly like it.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon
Proprietress, the Lyon’s Den, and Matchmaker
9 Cleveland Row, St. James’s, Westminster
“Eliza said she didn’t think she could afford your services,” Catherine added, before Mrs. Dove-Lyon could reply.
The widow shrugged. “It didn’t matter if she could or couldn’t. Mrs. Buxton was going to be betrothed to your father no matter what I did or didn’t do. Which brings us to the matter ofyou, Miss Kingston. You are about to lose your position in your father’s household.”
“It is time I see to my own affairs,” Catherine stated, lifting a shoulder as if she wasn’t bothered.
“Have you already taken new lodgings somewhere?” Mrs. Dove-Lyon asked, her query sounding urgent.
“Not yet. I thought to look—”
“Don’t. At least… not yet,” the matchmaker said. “Has he given you your marriage portion?”
Catherine scoffed softly. “Pardon me, ma’am, but that’s really none of your concern.”
“Oh, but it is, Miss Kingston. Your generous dowry could gain you a husband.”
“I am aware,” she replied, keeping her manner guarded. “The question that comes to mind, though, is do I want one?”
Even though she couldn’t see Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s features, she seemed impressed by her query. “What if you had a husband who could elevate you in Society?”
“I’m quite elevated enough,” Catherine countered.
Once again, Mrs. Dove-Lyon waved a gloved hand at the stacks of books and then at the assorted clientele that populated the first floor of the bookshop. “Your skills would be better suited in the house of an… a gentleman. Of rank.”
Catherine furrowed her brows, wondering at what word the matchmaker almost said before “a gentleman.”Animplied the next word began with a vowel. The only ranks beginning with a vowel were “earl” and “admiral.” Neither were of particular interest to her.
“I thank you for your consideration, ma’am, but I am doing this for a reason,” she said as she imitated the older woman bywaving at the books. “My hope is to one day inherit my father’s business. I intend to run Kingston Publishing,” she explained.
Crossing her arms across her generous bosom, Mrs. Dove-Lyon huffed. “If Mrs. Buxton bears him a son, you will not inherit,” she stated. “If you wish to run Kingston Publishing upon your father’s death, you’ll need to be married,” she argued.
The words were like a slap across the face. Although she wanted to counter the matchmaker’s claim, Catherine knew the woman spoke the truth. Dipping her head, she allowed a long sigh. “How likely is it a husband is going to allow me to run a publishing company?” she countered, arching a brow to emphasize her doubt.
To her surprise, and despite the netting that covered most of her face, Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s excitement was evident. “The one I have in mind for you will. Why, he might even offer to assist you,” she claimed. “He’ll no doubtbuyevery book you publish.”
Catherine frowned. “A bookworm?” she guessed.
The matchmaker sighed. “You needn’t make him sound so…undesirable. Especially given how handsome he is.”
“Your client is handsome? And a gentleman?” Catherine chuckled softly. “If that is the case, it hardly seems necessary he would require the services of a matchmaker.”
“Men are fools,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon stated. “They rarely know what they require and usually don’t have it sorted until after they are already in possession of it.”
Catherine shuddered at hearing the word “possession,” and the matchmaker obviously noticed.
“A woman is capable of possessing a man should she wish to. Sometimes they simply require a… a push. A shove in the right direction.”
Once again, Catherine chuckled. “And I suppose you’re the one who is going to do the pushing?”
