Page 24 of Her Baseborn Bridegroom

“It makes no odds to me, Linnet.” he said. “I’ve not much of an ear for music.” It little signified. What she needed was society and the company of other genteel women. That would take the burden of her company off him.

“What of our neighbors?” he asked. “Have you ever met them?”

“No, my health prevented it. At least . . . I thought it did,” she added conscientiously.

“Do you know much of the families whose lands border ours?”

She considered this a moment. “Only what my aunt and her ladies told me. On the north border is the Jauncey estate. Sir Lambert Jauncey died last spring, leaving his younger brother Chilton, his widow, and his mother. I’ve never met them.”

“And on the south border?”

“The Lascombes. A very old family in the county. Lord Lascombe has been married three times and his current wife is—” she broke off distractedly.

“Is what?”

“Much younger than he,” she said hurriedly.

His mouth twisted. “Yes, but that wasn’t what you were going to say.”

She hesitated.

“Illegitimate?” he guessed.

“No, no . . . ” she protested. “’Tis only what my aunt told me, I was repeating it without thought.”

“What then?”

“Lowborn,” she admitted with reluctance. “Her father was a miller.”

“I see.” It seemed some female gossip had reached her ears after all. “What about the northeasterly border?” he said, remembering the map from earlier.

“Some new family. My uncle was most displeased. They are from a merchant background, and my aunt refused to socialize with them. She said they were upstarts and a blight on the area.”

“What do you think?” He was curious.

She digested this a moment. “I think I should like to meet them,” she said.

He gave a shrug. “Why don’t you then? You could invite the womenfolk here.”

He heard her swift indrawn breath. “Oh yes!” she agreed. “Company would be nice. I do miss my aunt’s ladies-in-waiting. Well, at least a couple of them were fairly nice on occasion.”

“I don’t see why not. It would be a good idea to spread the word that you are not an invalid on her death bed.” Then you would not be so dependent on me, he added silently. And will not be so devastated when I leave you here alone for months on end.

“We could have a banquet,” she suggested enthusiastically. “Maybe send for some musicians from Lynford.”

“I think you should start small,” he suggested, making it clear that he would not be participating in the social circle.

She went quiet at that. “Perhaps it would be better,” she agreed, ducking her head.

“Linnet?”

“I only hope . . . ” she hesitated. “that people will like me,” she finished in a small voice.

He stared at her pale face in the darkness. “Why wouldn’t they? You’re likeable enough.”

“Am I?”

“And if they don’t, why would you care? You’re wealthy. They’ll cultivate your company anyway.”