“You have a dark vision of the world.”
“Because I lived that vision. My tested and tried method?—”
“Crime.”
“—will give you freedom and dignity. You won’t be forced to suffer from a violent husband’s hands or his needs on your body. You’ll be able to do everything you want with your money and time. If you find someone you like, you’ll be free to take him to bed, but it’ll be your choice, and the best thing is that you won’t have to marry him.”
Both paths Mama described seemed awful. Angeline was spared an answer as Lady Redvers and her maid walked over to her. Angeline tensed. Oh no. If Mr. North had complained to Lady Redvers as well, Angeline would join the first circus in town and leave London not to hear yet another lecture.
“Mrs. Haywood and Miss Haywood.” The lady closed her parasol and smiled. “I hoped I would meet you.”
Mama and Angeline dropped a curtsy.
“Lady Redvers,” Mama said. “Thank you again. Angeline and I had a lovely time.”
Almost. Meeting Royston had been great.
The lady’s smile faltered. “Half of my guests are here, promenading. It’s splendid to have a chat after the ball.”
Angeline perked up. Royston could be here then. Or maybe not. He didn’t seem the type of man who cared about meeting the guests of a ball the next day.
“Have you met anyone else from last night?” Lady Redvers gazed around.
“Not yet, my lady.” Mama’s tone was all sweet and kind, not at all like a moment ago when she’d thundered against society.
Lady Redvers leant closer to Mama. “I confess I hope to meet a certain gentleman, someone who would be a good match formy Georgiana.” She turned to Angeline. “I’m sure your mother has her eyes on a valid suitor for you as well. You’re too old for a Season, if you don’t mind my saying, and beauty and youth are fickle friends. You blink, and they’re gone. No one wants to be a spinster.”
“Er… of course not, my lady.” Hopefully, that was the correct answer.
Although Angeline reluctantly agreed with Lady Redvers. She wanted a family of her own, a man who loved her and children to fill her house. She wanted to take care of her family, and no, being a spinster wasn’t the best outcome for her.
Instead, Mama’s black eyes became two narrow slits. Nothing like talking about marriage to spoil her mood.
Lady Redvers searched around again. “Mothers always worry about the future of their daughters. With the way the young generation behaves these days and the loss of our values, it’s increasingly difficult to find a proper gentleman.”
“I absolutely agree, my lady.” Mama nodded sagely. “We want only the best for our daughters. That’s what I always say to Angeline.”
“Yes.” Lady Redvers paused, twitching her mouth.
The two mamas had matching fierce expressions although for different reasons without their knowledge. They weren’t actual rivals.
“May I ask who the gentleman who caught your eye is, Mrs. Haywood?” the viscountess asked. “We don’t want to pursue the same gentleman. That would be rather inconvenient, don’t you agree? Although Georgiana is a viscount’s daughter. Her opportunities are far wider than your daughter’s.”
No, she wouldn’t intervene. The conversation was all for her tiger mama.
Mama didn’t fluster. “I seriously doubt we have in mind the same suitor. I suppose your daughter will find a suitable matchamong the titled gentlemen. Angeline will more likely be courted by a gentleman of means.”
“Excellent.” Lady Redvers exhaled.
“Although,” Mama continued, “Miss Taylor has a genteel upbringing, and so does my daughter. They’re both daughters of gentlemen. They’re equal from that point of view.”
No, not really.
Even Lady Redvers disagreed, judging by how she stiffened. “But a title is a title.”
Mama showed a lopsided smile. “I can’t argue with that, my lady.”
Oh, goodness. Angeline pretended she didn’t find the conversation awkward. Miss Taylor was going to be sold to the highest bidder as well. Maybe Angeline should propose an exchange— Miss Taylor would spend some time with Mama, and Angeline would get Lady Redvers’s help to search for a suitable husband.
