Page 22 of Lyon’s Obsession (The Lyon’s Den Connected World #91)
Theodora accepted the glass Emma offered her and drank it down quicker than she should have.
Hearing Richard’s opinion, which meant it was also Navan’s, Benjamin’s, and Aaran’s opinion, shook Dora to her core.
“More,” she ordered Lady Emma. The fact was she had likely proved to be society’s laughingstock.
She was nineteen, and, though she had a great deal of time in society, she had never had an official Come Out.
She was known to anyone who was anyone and quite a few people who were not part of society, but she had never had a man wish to court her, except the scoundrel known as Lord Almano.
Most potential suitors would fear her brothers, and those who did not worry about them, definitely would fear Lord Macdonald Duncan, for he could easily bring down the wrath of the British government on a person’s head.
She sipped more of the wine and wondered why she was so unlovable.
Wondered why she could not engender true affection in another?
She was considering asking for another glass of wine when the door opened and a figure draped completely in black entered.
The woman was not as tall as Theodora had expected.
Moreover, the black veil the woman wore was assuredly not what either she or Emma had considered a woman in Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s profession to don.
Theodora wondered if Richard had mentioned it to Emma.
They stood together looking upon a figure they would never be able to describe to another. Was that the woman’s purpose?
“Lady Theodora Duncan,” the woman pronounced in a no-nonsense manner. “I would never have expected to have your acquaintance, my lady.”
Dora quickly diverted the attention from her by saying, “My friend Lady Emma Donoghue, ma’am.”
The woman nodded her head in Emma’s direction. “Permit me to congratulate you, my lady. I understand you are soon to be Lady Orson. Your young lord was quite frantic during his efforts to save you. I pray you shall enjoy your life as his lordship’s countess.”
“I am confident I shall, ma’am,” Emma said with a look of contentment on her features, and Theodora knew instant envy.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon asked, “I cannot imagine either of you requiring any services I might provide. So, I fear you must explain your presence at the Lyon’s Den.”
Lady Emma said, “Our Lady Theodora has experienced two recent disappointments. I had originally thought she might require assistance in discovering someone to cherish her and seriously consider the desire for a proposal.”
“I do not customarily assist in courtships, my ladies,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said with a slight shake of her head in the negative, and Theodora’s heart sank.
“You are a matchmaker, are you not?” Lady Emma asked. “We are asking for several gentlemen who might be interested in a courtship—it would be best for our Theodora to spend time with a variety of gentlemen. If the result is a marriage, so much the better.”
Emma casually poured herself a drink, and Dora knew envy at her friend’s ability to think upon her feet. “Could we not sit, ma’am, where I might explain my thoughts.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon nodded her agreement, and when they were all seated, Emma continued her tale, but, first, she reclaimed Theodora’s hand, whether to offer support or to keep Theodora from running from the room, who was to say?
“As you might imagine, ma’am, Lady Theodora has been brought up in an unusual household.
Her father is one of the United Kingdom’s most powerful men.
If such does not turn away potential suitors, she also possesses five brothers, all prominent earls.
As such, she has been permitted very little freedom to choose a mate.
In fact, she has yet to have a Come Out. ”
Theodora added quickly, “It is not as if my father would not present me with a presentation in society. He always thought my mother would do the deed. Each year, we come to London for the next session of Parliament, and he becomes involved in the intrigue found within the walls of the House of Lords, as well as such crises as the Prime Minister’s death.
He arrives in London with the intention of seeing me well set and means to organize my presentation, but week after week, the idea is set aside. Next week never knows fruition.”
“And his lordship does not wish to part with you. Am I correct?” Mrs. Dove-Lyon asked.
“Yes,” Lady Emma said.
“No,” Theodora responded at the same time.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon ignored their contradictions. “Have you had no serious suitors, my lady?”
Theodora did not wish to speak of Alexander, so she said, “Count Almano called upon me twice, and, initially, I thought I might learn to care for him, but he has proven himself a reprobate.”
“A reprobate?” Mrs. Dove-Lyon asked. “I hold no doubt. The man who calls himself Lord Almano has been banned from the Lyon’s Den. It is my understanding he is not of the Florentine aristocracy as he claims, but lives near Newcastle.”
Emma caught Theodora’s hand. “It is good you sent him away.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s curiosity was evident in her voice. “How did you come to take Lord Almano’s acquaintance?”
Dora said with a sigh, “Lady Emma and I took the man’s acquaintance at an afternoon of string music arranged by Lady Joseph.”
“As I suspected,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said. “The word is Lady Joseph is the man’s cousin, and that Lord Joseph is not best pleased with his wife assisting in her cousin’s ploy.
I understand Lord Joseph has sent his wife back to his home seat, though I have not confirmed as such, so please do not quote me. ”
Lady Emma suggested, “I doubt anyone would believe that Lady Theodora and I had the nerve to call upon you, ma’am and so quoting you would be impossible.” Realizing what she just said, Emma quickly apologized. “I did not mean an offense, ma’am.”
“None taken, my lady. Those with whom I regularly associate would never believe a tale of my entertaining either you or Lady Theodora.” She gestured to Dora again. “And your second suitor?”
Dora hesitated before explaining, “Lord Marksman is one of my father’s sons.
We have always been close. We have spoken often of marrying.
His estate marches along with my father’s, and we thought it would be the two of us who took care of Macdonald Duncan in his old age, and we would see that his grandchildren were always underfoot and bringing him joy.
However, the arrival of Lord Honfleur has presented Marksman with an alternative. ”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon asked, “Honfleur’s daughter? I cannot imagine Lady Caroline would willingly seek any Englishman’s company.”
“Not Lord Honfleur’s daughter, but his niece,” Theodora explained, “and she appears to prefer Marksman, as well.”
“While you still prefer Marksman?” Mrs. Dove-Lyon asked. “You seem like a sensible young woman. In my opinion, for what it is worth, Lord Marksman talks when he should listen, and he is too impetuous.”
Emma cackled. “Orson says something similar of Lord Marksman.”
“Anyway,” Theodora continued, though she did not approve of any criticizing Alexander, despite knowing the criticism was likely accurate.
“Lord Marksman has set his heart on Miss Moreau, and he is willing to stand between the girl and Honfleur. He has set me aside, and Lord Almano is evidently a fake. Therefore, I must begin anew. As Lady Emma has indicated, if you could arrange for several young gentlemen to call upon me in the hopes of developing a long-standing relationship, I would be glad to employ you.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon stood. “Ladies, please join me in my office. You may tell me what qualities you consider admirable in a young suitor, and we may discuss compensation.”