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“Jennette, why did he come to you?” Sophie asked softly.
“He thought if I showed support for him then perhaps others might see him for who he really is and not just his reputation.”
“And did you agree to help him?” Sophie said with a knowing look in her eyes.
“Yes. I offered to help him find a bride.”
“Then maybe we can all assist you.” Sophie looked around at the women in the room. “There must be some woman among the quality who would marry Blackburn, reputation and all.”
“She must have money,” Jennette added. “His father and brother gambled their way into a huge debt. And she must have a sterling reputation. Anything less will not help him.”
“Very well,” Sophie said with a smile. “We need a wealthy woman with an impeccable reputation.”
“And not hard on the eyes for him,” Jennette said softly. He did deserve a pretty woman.
“That goes without saying.” Sophie looked at them. “Well? Any ideas?”
“Not Lucinda Bartlett,” Elizabeth said with a small giggle. “She is still causing such a fuss because she unknowingly danced with him last night.”
“Yes, she wasn’t my best idea.” Jennette leaned back against the chair feeling a little better now that her friends were helping her.
“You know,” Elizabeth said with a big grin. “My sister is having a fall country party commencing this weekend. I will get her to invite him. There will be plenty of unmarried women and a week to find him someone perfect.”
Avis laughed. “You must have something you’re holding over her head if you can get her to invite him.”
“I am her sister,” Elizabeth said with a big smile. “Of course I have information she would never want her husband to learn.”
“Excellent,” Jennette said. “I believe we should compile a list of names as there will be some who will reject him outright because of his reputation. Any other thoughts?”
“What about Susan Whitmore?” Sophie asked. “Her mother insists her daughter get a title since Mrs. Whitmore did not.”
Jennette pondered that idea. “She does have a large dowry. She is quite pretty.”
“But how will she feel about his reputation?” Victoria asked.
“I suppose we could inquire.” Elizabeth leaned forward. “Jennette, how well do you know her?”
“Not well at all.”
“I say we should call on her tomorrow afternoon. But first, I think we should get him invited to Lady Sheldon’s musicale. She has five daughters to marry off.”
Jennette smirked. “And how do we do that?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Leave that all to me.”
“Very well. So tomorrow night Lady Sheldon’s musicale and what do we do about Miss Whitmore?”
Elizabeth smiled brightly and said, “Avis could host a literary…” Her voice trailed away as she looked at Avis.
Jennette shook her head. While Avis loved hosting literary salons and talking about her own book, which hopefully would be published soon, she was now married to Banning. That would never work.
“No, Avis can’t do it. Well, I haven’t hosted a literary salon since before my father died.” Elizabeth turned toward Avis and said, “Surely you can assist me with this?”
Jennette turned toward Avis. “You cannot tell Banning about this. If he knew how involved I was in Blackburn’s life, he’d kill me.”
She felt dreadful asking Avis to keep something from her new husband. But Jennette knew her brother far better than Avis did. Banning would lock Jennette in her room to keep Matthew away from her.
“Of course, I shall help you, Elizabeth. And Jennette, it’s our secret,” Avis said, making a cross over her heart. “Banning will not hear about this from me. Although I still wonder why you are helping Blackburn.”
