Page 39 of Lyon’s Obsession (The Lyon’s Den Connected World #91)
Duncan stood immediately, while Alexander signed for the meal. He caught up with Duncan just as the man and Titan reached the second flight of stairs. “I am glad to view your step is sturdier, sir,” Alexander said as he placed a hand on the small of Duncan’s back.
“No longer so out of breath,” Duncan said, “though my knees complain steadily.”
“After a certain age, do not all God’s children have weak knees?” Alexander teased.
“One’s age does not indicate sore knees,” Duncan argued. “I have witnessed you and all your brothers hobbling about, at one time or another. These knees are still strong enough to bounce my grandchildren upon and are able to bend easily when I am in prayer.”
“You have seen each of your sons through multiple injuries, and I pray someday to present you a grandchild or two or three to bounce at your leisure.” They stopped before Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s office, and that feeling of completeness—of no longer questioning his every move—arrived once more.
Titan tapped on the door, and with a call of “Come” from inside, opened the door to admit them. “Lords Duncan and Marksman, Mrs. Dove-Lyon.”
“Come in, my lords,” the woman said without looking up. “I apologize for only being able to provide you a few minutes this evening. We are very busy.”
“And we should have thought of arranging an appointment,” Duncan said in apology.
She gestured to the chairs before the desk. “Then we should be about it. Sit, my lords.”
The woman had not risen with their entrance, but Alexander supposed such was Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s way to express her irritation with the necessity of entertaining the aristocracy.
Once they were seated, Duncan began immediately, “You should be made aware that Lord Honfleur and his daughter mean to return to London tomorrow. Our previous agreement remains in place regarding any uttered bank notes.”
“I had actually hoped Lord Honfleur would take his schemes elsewhere,” the lady admitted. “How much longer should we be required to monitor each note we have crossing through Li-Na’s hands?”
“If I have received the correct information, your Miss Li-Na has only discovered a handful or so this past week.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon shrugged off Duncan’s remark. “I pray you are near to bringing all these people to justice, my lord.”
Duncan said in serious tones, “We could easily arrest several dozen of the minor players, but we want not only Honfleur, but also the higher ups who have participated in this matter.”
“Better you than me, my lord,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said with a sigh. “If not at your insistence, I would have shot Honfleur by now if I had caught him passing forged bank notes.”
“As would many, ma’am,” Duncan declared. “Naturally, the government has agreed to accept any forged notes from you until the end of this calendar year. Such does not mean you should go into the business of uttered notes yourself,” he warned with a smile.
The lady paused before responding, “There are too many in my late husband’s family who would wish to view me swinging from the gallows to attempt such foolishness, though to bring them all down with me would be quite tempting.”
Alexander was not confident he knew exactly what the woman meant, but he would ask Duncan later.
Without looking at Alexander, Duncan said, “The other matter of our call involves my daughter and Lord Marksman.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon sat back in her chair in obvious interest. “You have learned of Lady Theodora’s call upon me?”
“Marksman and I have known of the matter for some time, but neither of us have discussed the situation with Theodora,” Duncan explained.
Alexander knew when Duncan also shifted in his seat that the great Lord Macdonald Duncan was having an internal argument on how to speak to others of Theodora’s situation.
“Unfortunately,” he began, at last, “the fact we chose not to keep Theodora aware of what we knew, plus your ‘lack,’ shall we say, of finding my daughter an immediate suitor or two has played hard on my sweet child’s image of herself.
“I know I am a doting father, but I viewed the young lady who is part of this evening’s bet and your matchmaking and wondered upon her parents and their approval.
Though she was very comely of face, I did not consider her lovelier than my Theodora, but she had three suitors.
” He paused briefly. “I feel as if I have not done justice by my child if she was willing to submit to public scrutiny.”
“In truth, my lord,” the woman responded with real understanding laced in her tones, “the gentlemen I have approached regarding Lady Theodora were intimidated by your place in society, as well as expressing not wishing for a wife who obviously loves another.” She turned her gaze on Alexander.
“Pardon my saying so, Lord Marksman, it is common knowledge that you intend to marry Lady Theodora. Why would any gentleman choose to go against Lord Macdonald Duncan’s wishes for his daughter and the possibility of facing you in an unlawful duel on the heath, my lord? ”
“What has Lady Theodora offered you?” Alexander asked, ignoring the woman’s insinuations, for they were exactly what he had expected: It was he who had ruined Theodora, not in the traditional manner of the word, but by permitting himself too much latitude with Dora before he had actually spoken his proposal.
“My usual fee ranges from one thousand pounds to twenty-five hundred, but then there is a more substantial fee from the gentleman,” she explained. “That is if he earns the lady’s consent by winning a bet between the contenders.”
“But if there are no other contenders, how might there be a bet?” Alexander argued.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon leaned forward to ask, “Do you intend on winning Lady Theodora’s consent, my lord?”
“You wish me to agree to some foolish bet,” Alexander accused.
“Nothing more than I might ask of another suitor,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon countered.
“Lady Theodora will agree to marry me without all these ‘foolish’ wagers,” Alexander protested.
“True,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said with a slow nod of her head, “but it is my opinion her ladyship will always wonder if you love her enough to know a bit of embarrassment to claim her. Lady Emma, for example, said she proposed to Lord Orson before a crowd of his peers to prove her devotion to his lordship. Your brother, in my opinion, is a better man, for he will never doubt the affection of his wife. Do you not think Lady Theodora also deserves to live without doubt?”
“Should I also make a public proposal?” Alexander asked, becoming a bit miffed at himself for seeking Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s opinion.
“When I spoke to Lady Theodora and Lady Emma, we three agreed your weakness lies not in your self-doubt but, rather, in your misplaced self-worth. We, you see, agreed that you often speak your opinions when you should be listening to those of others.”
Duncan’s poorly-disguised chuckle said his lordship agreed.
While Alexander swallowed his retort, Mrs. Dove-Lyon offered her challenge, “The young ladies and I thought it might be appropriate if you spent a day in Parliament with a large ear trumpet and a small mask for your mouth, so you might listen and not speak. I understand a collapsible ear trumpet has been made on a one-off basis for special clients. Even the ever-famous Joshua Reynolds sported one in the late 1700s. Frederick Rein, right here in London, produces ear trumpets. His business even sells hearing fans and speaking tubes to concentrate the sound, but I suppose you do not require those accoutrements .” The woman laughed aloud.
“Please inform me if any part of this proposition appeals to you, and I shall be glad to serve as Lady Theodora’s matchmaker. ”