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“You started it,” she said, no regret at all in her tone.
Itwastempting to just leave London. Gads, but he missed home. Missed being comfortable. Here in London, it was always about appearing to be of consequence, and dressing right, and saying the right things, and being seen in company with the right people. It was nonsense, that’s what it was. Seth missed being able to kick back and just be himself.
But he couldn’t go home. Not yet.
“You have suggested that before,” he said, trying and mostly failing to keep the frustration out of his voice, “and my answer has not changed.” The truth was he couldn’t afford to come back next year. Staying in London another six weeks was all he could do. He’d never allowed his accounts to run so low. Everything inside him screamed to escape back home—where the cost of living was dramatically lower—and retrench. But he couldn’t, not yet, no matter how his dwindling accounts caused his stomach to clench.
It might ruin his own reputation, but after Dinah was finally settled, Seth would have no option but to return to trade. He’d made a decent profit when selling his business and had accumulated reasonable savings; most men, knighted as he was, would likely have used such funds to set themselves up for a leisurely life, invested in something stable and secure, or purchased an estate, perhaps, that earned an income. But Seth had not done so. Instead, he’d knowingly spent it all on this one Season. This one opportunity for his three girls to secure a happy and safe future. He didn’t regret it. He knew he never would.
So long as Dinah did the sensible thing and stopped making eyes at every scoundrel in Town and instead set her sights on someone of character. Seth couldn’t stop the huff that broke from him as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“I am sorry,” Lady Blackmore said. “I only wish to help.”
He wasn’t upset with her. She was the only reason his other two girls, Eliza and Rachel, were happily married now to men who were not only honorable but could also see that his daughters had good, healthy lives. Lord Adam Lambert and Mr. Christopher Dunn each would be able to provide far better lives for Seth’s girls than he himself had ever been able to offer them.
It was an intensely bittersweet realization, one Seth wasn’t sure how to fully wrap his mind around as of yet.
“Perhaps I should go ask after dinner.” Lady Blackmore turned to leave.
Seth stopped her with a hand to her elbow. “Dinah is always saying I keep too many of my thoughts inside and it makes...somepeople think I’m upset with them.” Dinah had said as muchspecificallyabout Lady Blackmore, but he didn’t feel skipping that particular detail to be an ill-conceived idea. Regardless, he didn’t want Charlotte walking away, believing he was frustrated with her. He and the marchioness had not had a particularly smooth association these past many months. But they had found a way to be friends.
Seth pulled the list out once more. One thing he’d learned that the two of them had in common was a sincere need to help those they cared for. So, though he was not one who asked for help, he figured this once wouldn’t hurt. “Perhaps you wouldn’t mind looking over the list? Making sure none of these men ought to be removed?”
A small smile graced her lips as she took the paper from him. “I am more likely to add to it than to take away.”
He let out a small guffaw. “Don’t be so sure. My investigations may be subtle, but they are most thorough.”
She met his determined gaze with one of her own. “Very well. I would be honored to help you in this compilation.”
He turned his attention back to the many guests milling about his parlor. Knowing Lady Blackmore had not yet grown weary of helping him with his girls was the only thing that ever eased the tension in his chest. With her guiding hand and knowledge of theton, he felt that the Season might not end in complete disaster after all. No one could deny it; Lady Blackmore was a force to be reckoned with.
“Now,” she said, also facing the room, “you ought to be mingling with your guests, not assessing them from afar.”
“I’ve already finished my assessment of this lot.” None of the gentlemen present would be here if he hadn’t. “What matters now is what Dinah thinks of them.” He looked over at his youngest. She was no longer the little girl in pigtails begging to hear stories of pirates and vagabonds. Now she was quite grown, and he was not the least bit blind to the fact that she was a beauty, exactly the innocent-looking young lady to draw the wrong sort of attention.
“Do not worry overly for her,” Lady Blackmore said. “We’ll find her the right husband, Seth.”
At the sound of his name on her lips, the strangest sensation swept over him. It was as unexpected as it was intense. A warmth in the general vicinity of his chest, a lightness about his head, a headiness...
No. He stomped down forcibly on any and all emotions.
He had a name. She had said it. That was all.
Never mind that she’d never said his Christian name before.
It wasn’t as though it meant anything. They’d known each other for quite some time now. It was only natural.
Probably more of a slip of the tongue on her part than anything.
And he certainly wasn’t about to start calling her Charlotte. Even though his girls did. Even though he thought it a lovely name that suited her quite well.
Seth shook his head. The sooner he left London, the better. “You are right,” he said, wishing his mind would dwell on anything other than the single memory of her saying his name. “We will find Dinah a good man and see them wed.” And promptly. “Even if I have to drag her to Gretna Green myself.”
Lady Blackmore—Charlotte—laughed lightly. “I certainly hope it doesn’t come to that.”
He certainly hoped not also. But if that’s what it came down to...well, he wasn’t throwing out the option.
