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“I have come to offer my services to the young Weslorian princess.” To Lady Iddesleigh, she added, “I am a matchmaker.”
“Ah, yes, I’ve heard all about the fair princess,” said Beck.
“You have?” Lila asked.
“We all have!” his wife said cheerfully. “Everyone knows she is here and in search of a king.”
“A prince consort,” Lila corrected her.
“All the same,” Lady Iddesleigh said agreeably.
But it wasn’t at all the same—one was a ruler, and the other a spouse of a ruler.
“That’s it, that’s why you’re here!” Beck said suddenly. “You’re looking for someone to match to the princess. I’ve got it. The young chap from Birmingham. What was his name, darling? A viscount who has just come into a large inheritance.”
“Edward,” Lady Iddesleigh said, her brow knitting. “Edward, Edward...”
“Northrup,” Mr. Donovan supplied from across the room.
“Northrup!” the Iddesleighs shouted at the same time.
Lila smiled serenely. “I shall keep him in mind. But I’ve quite a few of my own. I’ve come about one name in particular, whom I think you know rather well. I should like to inquire...discreetly of course—”
“Of course,” Beck hastened to assure her.
“We are the soul of discretion,” Lady Iddesleigh chirped. “Who is it?”
“Lord Douglas, Marquess of Hamilton,” Lila said.
The room stilled. She had the attention of all three adults and at least one of the girls.
“William Douglas,” Beck repeated, sounding amazed.
“Yes?” She looked around at their shared surprise. “Is something wrong?”
Beck looked at his wife, then burst out laughing. Donovan laughed, too. Even the girls began to laugh, although it was quite clear they didn’t know why. But the laughter excited them. They got up from their miniature tea table and one of them began to turn cartwheels.
“William Douglas!”Beck said again through a wheeze. “Of all people!”
“Why?” Lila asked again.
“Oh dear,” Beck said and tried to contain himself. “Got off on the wrong foot a few years ago. Doesn’t care for the princess.”
Lila frowned with bewilderment. Had they confused the Douglas she meant with someone else? “Doesn’t he?”
“Darling, you don’t know what you’re saying,” Lady Iddesleigh said to her husband, still giggling. “Sometimes a gentleman appears not to care for a woman when, in fact, he cares for her quite a lot.”
“That makes no sense, love,” Beck said.
“Aye, she’s right about that,” offered Donovan.
“Lady Aleksander, what would you like to know about Lord Douglas?” Lady Iddesleigh asked.
“I must speak confidentially,” Lila said again.
“Yes, yes,” Lady Iddesleigh said, gesturing for her to continue.
“Papa, what does confachly mean?” the oldest girl asked as she climbed onto his lap.
