Page 55 of The Lady’s Sweet Revenge

“Why have you not married?” the woman asked.

Harlow thought perhaps she had brought the intrusive question about herself after asking about the woman’s dislike of Scotland. Since turnabout was fair play, she decided to answer after casting a glance at the door, hoping Reese would choose that moment to enter and put an end to this uncomfortable discussion. Where was he?

“I did have offers,” she started.

“I know. Twenty-four offers rejected your first Season.” The woman shook her head and Harlow repressed the desire to defend herself.

“If you know that, then you must also be aware of the size of my dowry.”

“I believe everyone in the King’s realm is aware of the size of your dowry. Disgustingly excessive as it is.” But then she tilted her head to the side as if she had figured it out on her own. “You don’t wish to marry someone who only wants your money.”

“Correct. As you so elegantly put it, the amount of money a man would get for taking my hand in marriage is disgustingly excessive. And it has lured many men to our drawing room clutching tight to their proffered posies and a hope that I will put their finances to rights.”

“Is it true you’ve had proposals by mail from America?”

Harlow was not aware anyone knew of such things, but then the countess had said she knew her mother.

“Yes. But that is not counted in with the two-dozen other offers I refused.” Harlow sighed. “I hope you do not think me conceited. In fact, I’ve recently wondered if maybe some of the men may have had a sincere interest in me, while I disregarded all of them. I don’t expect love, but I don’t wish to be used simply for money and my ability to produce an heir. It may seem silly, but I’d at least like to enjoy spending time with my husband.”

The woman looked as if she didn’t plan to answer, but eventually after a few moments of silence she relented with a nod.

“I told your mother to do something about the size of the dowry for it would only attract the worst of the ton, but she said your father refused to lower the amount because he wanted to ensure you were comfortable.”

“Money doesn’t make one comfortable. What am I do to with money on a chilly night?” Harlow worried the woman thought her terribly immature. She knew money was important. She wasn’t a naïve girl who didn’t understand that all her worldly comforts had been acquired with money. It was just that she knew a person had other needs that money couldn’t satisfy.

“What of my son?”

Harlow nearly gasped. Did she know Reese was keeping Harlow plenty warm of late?

“Excuse me?” Harlow choked.

“You said he proposed to you.”

Harlow wasn’t sure what she should say. When she waited too long to speak, the other woman continued.

“I would assume, given the circumstances of how you came to be here, that my son—honorable as he is—offered a sincere proposal, not just a way to save you from any possible scandal?”

“Oh. I’m sure he was sincere.” Or would have been if Harlow had only given him a chance to speak. But no, she’d cut in too soon not giving him any real consideration. If only she could go back to that moment and make a different choice.

“But you rejected his sincere offer?”

“I wouldn’t say it like that. It wasn’t a rejection as much as releasing him from a duty he felt honor-bound to offer.”

“I think it would be a smart match.” She sighed and looked out the window while once again Harlow looked at the door as if to conjure Reese. It didn’t work.

One thing that was not so bad was the pleasure of knowing this formidable woman thought Harlow appropriate for her only child, but then she recalled the great lengths the countess had gone to in order to see the earl married. To anyone. She didn’t seem to be very selective.

It was not so much a matter of Harlow being a good match for her son, but that she was of suitable breeding and unmarried. Still, Harlow couldn’t argue that she and Reese had already formed the type of connection she had wanted with a husband.

When she heard the heavy footsteps coming closer to the room, she turned toward the door in expectation. Finally, he had come to save her.