Page 38 of Lyon’s Obsession (The Lyon’s Den Connected World #91)
“I am glad your first foray into society landed in my hands,” Alexander assured. “It is as if our mother was watching out for the both of us on that particular evening.”
“It would be nice to think so,” she said. “However, I have made an enemy of Lady Theodora.”
“Theodora will come around,” Alexander assured.
“Is it your intention to marry the lady?”
Alexander’s frown returned. “I have always thought so.
Theodora really is the most spectacular young woman anyone could hope to meet, but neither Duncan nor I have done her justice.
Both you and she are daughters of an earl, but Duncan has yet to provide her a Season, which has Theodora frightened that British society will soon term her as being on the shelf.
“She and I have always spoken of marriage—have spoken of the possibility often—but I could not quite devote myself to the idea of marrying without having first found you and our mother. When Duncan confirmed our mother’s death, it was as if someone had swept my legs from beneath me, and I was falling into a bottomless abyss.
I had failed miserably. Then he told me you were alive, but I was sworn to secrecy, and the more attention I showed you, which I could not quite resist, the more jealous Theodora became.
While I was obsessed with returning you to my side, I left her guessing about her worthiness and her appeal.
She thought I was infatuated with you, which is true, but not in the manner Theodora believed. ”
“What is Lady Theodora’s age?” Annalise asked.
“Nineteen, going soon to twenty after the first of the year. By such an age, most English ladies are married. I am the only one who has courted her, and I have not done so in a proper manner. She is frightened that she will be considered undesirable, and, in truth, my attention upon her has kept many from her door, as if our marriage is a foregone conclusion. Duncan and I believe any potential suitors fear both him and me. You assuredly have heard Beaufort’s estimation of my ability to hit a target. ”
Annalise sighed heavily. “I am twenty and have never been courted.”
Alexander chucked. “We are quite the pair, are we not?”
“The eccentric Dutton family,” she said with a grin, her embarrassment gone.
“Now, let us decide what we must do, after this investigation is over, to set our lives on sturdy ground. I believe you should ask Lady Theodora if she would attempt to set my steps in society on the right path, and I will do my best to win her over as a friend.”
“Such might work, but I am seriously considering a proposal, so you should know both of us may fail,” he advised. “Theodora and Lady Orson called upon the Lyon’s Den for Mrs. Dove-Lyon to arrange a suitor for Theodora.”
“Caroline and Uncle have played cards there,” his sister said innocently.
“And have passed forged bank notes there,” he corrected.
“Oh, my…” Annalise sat in silence for a full minute while she digested what he had said. “You have assisted these people?” she pleaded. “I would not wish anyone to lose employment because of the actions of my uncle.”
“We have,” he confirmed.
“And this woman—this Mrs. Dove-Lyon—is a matchmaker?” Annalise asked.
“Mrs. Dove-Lyon has arranged several prominent marriages. Her terms generally require something embarrassing of the gentlemen. Most men of society believe it is because when her husband died, he left her more than a few debts. Her ‘bets’ and marriage arrangements are a means to exact revenge on society. Her husband’s family turned her out as soon as the man was in the grave.
I plan to ascertain the terms of the agreement with Theodora and win the bet.
Someone must be sincere in his pursuit of the woman before Mrs. Dove-Lyon will agree.
Her bet is often a bit embarrassing, but it serves as proof of the gentleman’s sincerity.
With all that being said, you, more quickly than you have anticipated, must put Caroline Moreau aside and embrace Lady Theodora Duncan.
I can warrant that Dora might be harder to win over, but her loyalty will last a lifetime.
I doubt you will soon be able to say the same of Caroline Moreau. ”
“Then what am I to do regarding Caroline?”
“Yours is a difficult choice, and, although I know what I would choose, I am making the effort not to speak for you. Despite such, you must understand, you cannot warn Caroline Moreau of our plans nor can you provide her your protection when the time arrives for the English government to move against her and Moreau.”
“Are you confident you wish to do this, boy?” Duncan asked when they stepped down before the Lyon’s Den on Sunday evening.
Alexander had spent the day watching Amgen House, and now he was doing what was necessary to set his life on the road he had always envisioned for himself, as well as taking another step in securing both Annalise’s and Theodora’s futures.
Surprisingly, it had not taken much persuasion to convince Duncan to join him in this endeavor.
“Mrs. Dove-Lyon prefers her own terms in these agreements. The lady will ask something embarrassing, at a minimum, or it could even be dangerous. There are those who have been asked to swallow poisonous liquids and eat their own waste or something even more bizarre. I would not have you place your life in danger, and neither would Theodora. Assuredly, my daughter will accept you without your responding to Mrs. Dove-Lyon. I will pay Theodora’s fees, and we will return home so you might do the deed properly. ”
“But Theodora will think I have proposed simply because I am worried for her,” Alexander argued.
“You are not, are you?” Duncan asked in sudden concern.
“I am not. I truly hold Dora in affection. Will I choose to wait to marry until I bring Annalise under my protection? I will, and I hope you will consider my doing so to be a necessity. I do not believe any of this will be easy, but I see no other means.”
Duncan clapped his shoulder. “Then let us be about it.”
“Good evening, my lords,” Titan said as they approached the gentlemen’s entrance.
“Good evening, Titan,” Duncan responded. “I hope it is possible to speak to Mrs. Dove-Lyon this evening. We have updates to share regarding the matter we discussed previously, and Lord Marksman, here, wishes to speak to your mistress on a personal matter.”
“The mistress is quite busy this evening, but I will ask her for an available meeting time,” Titan responded dutifully.
“We will be in the gentlemen’s smoking lounge,” Duncan said with gratitude.
When they entered, Mr. Jeudy asked with concern, “You are here for the young woman?” Mr. Arthur Jeudy was the second son of Lord Jeudy, a baron from Hampshire.
“No,” Alexander answered, but his curiosity had him asking, “Which young woman?”
“It does not matter,” Mr. Jeudy responded. “Just wondering if I must face you.”
“Gentlemen, if you are here at Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s invitation, join me for a look at the lady,” those in the smoking room were instructed by Titan.
Mr. Jeudy joined two other young lords, and a stream of gentlemen who followed the trio to the men’s gaming room.
The other two men vying for the young woman, who Duncan did not recognize, along with Mr. Jeudy, were instructed to look up to the bay of windows that overlooked the room.
There stood Mrs. Dove-Lyon with a dark-haired young woman, who stared down upon the three men hoping to claim her hand.
“She is frightened to the tips of her toes,” Duncan whispered.
Alexander and Duncan did not watch the rest of the spectacle.
Rather, they returned to the smoking room to await Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s response, but they both swallowed their thoughts while the three men vying for the woman, including Mr. Jeudy, followed Titan to where some sort of contest was to occur.
The winner evidently would have the right to claim the young woman’s hand.
Duncan continued to speak under his breath. “There is no means I could name that would permit Theodora’s nature to tolerate such theatrics. The circus nature of it would haunt my daughter forever.”
“I will not permit it to occur,” Alexander declared.
“Offer Mrs. Dove-Lyon whatever she asks,” Duncan whispered. “I will cover the fee,” he uttered in broken tones. “I should never have permitted Theodora to sink so low as to seek out this type of spectacle. My Elsbeth must be turning over in her grave with remorse.”
Before Alexander could respond, Titan bent to say, “It will likely be another hour before the mistress might speak to you. Might you care for a small meal? This room will become quite rowdy as the wager progresses.”
“Thank you, I appreciate your forethought,” Duncan said as he rose stiffly.
Alexander thought to reach for Duncan for his lordship appeared to have had someone remove the winds from his sails, but he knew Duncan would know great umbrage if he were portrayed as weak before all the men in the room.
He caught up both drinks and followed his “father” from the room.
It was in that most insignificant moment that Alexander knew exactly what he desired most in life.
Family. He meant to have a father—a wife—a sister—and the hope of children.
The dining area was quieter than the last time they had eaten within, but they managed to avoid the conversation regarding Theodora throughout most of the meal.
Afterwards, Alexander spoke of his recent conversations with Annalise and how he and his sister would pass information to each other.
“We might be required to communicate through Beaufort and Lionel,” he cautioned.
“I shan’t be able to speak to her while Honfleur brings everything together. ”
Before Duncan could respond, Titan was again at their table. “Pardon, my lords. Mrs. Dove-Lyon is able to speak to you now. If you are finished with the meal, I will be honored to escort you.”