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The Dowager sniffed.
“On principle. Not because I admire it. Now, back to the business of our ruse, I will supply you with clothing and jewellery, as well as daily lessons in comportment.”
Ellie shook her head.
“All so I don’t disappoint her by not fooling you? I think she’d be more disappointed if I say yes to this scheme than she will be that I failed today. You’re asking me to lie to her for weeks.”
“Yes. At least two. Possibly for the remainder of the Season.”
“I can’t do that. We never keep secrets.”
Except Lizzy May did now. She’d started keeping secrets from Ellie when she met Matthew Mclintock, Duke of Aspen. A man Lizzy May loved more than her own twin sister.
The Dowager studied her with narrowed eyes, strangely bright in the interior of the carriage, which hadn’t departed from before the Duke’s townhome.
“Think on this. You’ll not only meet the very best gentlemen, but under ideal circumstances. They’ll believe you to be happily wed. That will afford you the opportunity to observe them without them attempting either to put you off or to seduce you.” She sniffed again. “You aren’t a true prize, being only moderately well dowered, but you’re comely and have excellent connections. More men than you would imagine will covet them, and you, simply for their sake.”
Ellie blinked rapidly. “Really?”
“You’re the distant cousin to a Duke, related through marriage to a Marquess, and sister by marriage to the Duke of Aspen.”
She hadn’t considered whether or not men would seek her simply for her relations. More than anything, Ellie wanted a man who loved her. She cared nothing for his wealth, or position, or connections. When Lizzy May married, Ellie lost her closest friend. She could never have her twin sister back, but she could have what Lizzy May had. A husband who cherished her so very much, she no longer cared about her twin’s love.
Ellie swallowed down a hard lump in her throat.
“Men will behave that differently around a married woman?”
The Dowager’s mouth pulled down at the corners.
“Men are unworthy, duplicitous creatures, but we each must have one. Take advantage of what I offer, so you may find the best of such a worthless lot.”
While that didn’t sound very appealing, Ellie could comprehend the Dowager’s logic. Slowly, she nodded. If Lizzy May could keep secrets from Ellie while on her path to love, then Ellie could keep secrets from her.
“Then we have an agreement?”
Ellie nodded again, firmly this time.
“We do, Your Grace.”
Ellie would go about town in the company of the Dowager, in the guise of Lizzy May, and find the perfect husband.
Chapter Four
Samuel handed his mother into the carriage, then climbed in after. He settled into the backward facing seat across from her and tugged first at one glove, then the other, ensuring that the kidskin was snugly in place. His mother smoothed her lavender skirt. Samuel knocked on the ceiling to let their driver know they were ready. The carriage dipped as their tiger climbed up.
“Samuel, dear, is everything well?” Mother asked as they rolled into motion.
Samuel pulled his glare from the unoffending view of the townhome across from their family residence and turned to his mother.
“Certainly.”
He returned to the view, and contemplating the likelihood that an article published in a Paris newspaper would cause a stir in London.
Mother cleared her throat.
“Only, you’ve been quiet, even for you, ever since you met with your brother yesterday. Did you quarrel?”
Samuel mustered a flat-feeling smile.
