Chapter Three #3
Mrs. Dove-Lyon set down the cup. “Do not apologize, ever, for enthusiasm over a particular topic. It speaks well of you. But perhaps I should tell you what I know about you and your family, then we can proceed with the reasons for your visit.”
Elspeth hesitated, then nodded. “I suspect that would move things along much quicker. I know what it is I wish, but I am not entirely certain what you can do about it, even if you can.”
“You wrote me in haste.”
Elspeth sighed. “I did. I felt . . . desperate.”
“My dear, you are still stunned about this morning’s announcement, are you not?”
Elspeth’s lips parted. She did not quite know what to say.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon gave a slight wave. “Please understand. I may say more than a few things that will startle you. I know most of what goes on in London, especially among the Beau Monde. Eventually you will get past the surprise of hearing about items I know that were supposed to be some highly kept secret. In my experience, no secret is kept for long. People love to share such things far too much and will do so with very little incentive.”
She opened a drawer and took out several sheets of foolscap, including Elspeth’s missive and Ella’s invitation.
She slid the invitation across the desk.
“I am returning this to you. You may use it one more time, if needed. I hope you will not have to, once we have concluded our business. Lady Eleanor is a lovely woman. You must have been exceptional friends for her to share it.”
Elspeth sighed. “We were. My parents separated us for a while, but we reunited before she left.” Elspeth straightened, remembering. “You were responsible for her reunion with Sir Gordon!”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon nodded. “I was. They did make a grand couple. Do you ever hear from her?”
“Yes. A letter on occasion.”
“I do as well. They seem to be doing rather—”
“I want that! What they have! I mean, I do. But I do not. But I do.”
“Can you make that a bit more specific?”
Elspeth clutched her reticule, shaking it in frustration, anger making her voice quiver. “Why did they have to do this! If they had only made things plainer sooner.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon held up her palm. “Lady Elspeth. Please take a deep breath. Then listen closely.” She paused and took a sip of tea.
“I am aware of your history, of your interest in botany and exploration, as well as your mother’s, and I applaud you both.
I am also aware of your father’s financial situation—”
“Then you probably know more than I do.”
“Do not pout. It is not unusual for a man to withhold his financial status from his family, especially his children, especially when it is stressed. I have heard that he reduced your dowry—”
“It is down to a mere pittance.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon paused. “That must be his word for it.”
Elspeth’s eyes narrowed. “It is.”
“Hm. Well. Please consider that what is a ‘pittance’ to a man who has soared along the top of Society his entire life may be something quite different to a person of a different standing. Your dowry remains substantial enough to get the attention of Viscount Godwin.”
Elspeth’s scowl deepened. “But Father said—”
“That your family needed Godwin’s money.”
She nodded.
“Of course he did. And he does. But Godwin was thoroughly intrigued by your dowry, not just by the amount but also the content.”
“I do not know what you mean.”
“My dear, do you know what consols are?”
“I do not.”
“They are government bonds that earn interest. Unlike a dowry that is strictly built from immediately available assets, your father included in yours both consols and other investments as well as cash. He may have reduced that cash, but your dowry features bonds that have been earning 3 percent interest every year since your father bought them for you when you were born. I am sure other men, potential suitors, have inquired about this. Those consols have more than doubled in value, and the longer you keep them, the more they earn.”
“So that part of my dowry will keep going up in value?”
“Yes. Until you redeem the bonds and other investments. Or your husband, once you marry. There is also a trust fund, left to you by your grandfather. It comes to you when you are thirty-five, or thirty, if you marry. Your father will probably ask your husband for part of that as a loan. I am sure this is one reason he is pushing you to marry now, and I would not be surprised to find out that the loan back to him is already accounted for in the marriage contracts.”
Elspeth leaned back in her chair, a chilling numbness settling over her. “I had no idea.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon paused, sipping her tea. As she set down the cup, her lips formed a thin line.
“It is an unfortunate fact of the ton that women are not taught the ways of business as well as men. We can manage it better than they realize.” She sniffed and returned the cup and saucer to the tray.
“Or perhaps they do realize, which is why they keep it from us.” She folded her hands in front of her and leaned slightly toward Elspeth. “So to the matter at hand, shall we?”
Elspeth squared her shoulders. “Yes.”
“Your parents have determined you should marry immediately, and your father has made arrangements that this should be with Viscount Godwin. Godwin is in the country at this time but will return Friday. Contracts will be signed on Saturday. The first bann will be read on Sunday. Given no choice, you have acquiesced to marriage but would prefer it not be to Godwin. You would rather it be a man of your own choosing, preferably younger, an explorer or a man of science who is willing to travel.”
Elspeth’s eyes widened, and she glanced over her shoulder at Sinclair. The maid held up her hands and mouthed “not me.” Elspeth swallowed and turned back to Mrs. Dove-Lyon. “I believe that is the sum of it.” She shifted in her chair. “I tried not to be surprised, but you do astound me.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon gave a slight smile. “I astound many people.” The smile vanished. “That gives you less than a week to make a selection, so there is little time for us to resolve this. ‘Younger’ covers a great deal of territory, given Godwin’s age.”
“Under fifty would be good.”
Silence.
“Or . . . or . . . forty.” Elspeth’s shoulders sagged again. “I am actually more appalled that the man has buried three wives, has several children, and wants more.”
“You do not want children.”
Elspeth shook her head. “I know that shocks people. I know they think I am mad or odd or will change my mind, but I have not, and I know I will not. And I am horrified by the idea that a man would insist on his wife having children against her will.”
“There is nothing odd or mad about a woman who knows her own mind. Do you have any other specifics in mind?”
Elspeth blinked. “Such as what?”
“The usual interests for a young woman. Hair and eye color. Height. Build.”
Elspeth paused, considering these, then shook her head.
“Mrs. Dove-Lyon, my first great love was Captain James Cook. One of my favorite books is A Voyage Round the World by Louis de Bougainville. I suspect one reason I have turned away so many suitors in my day is that I seldom react to a man’s looks, especially if his conversation is mundane.
Although I once was rather smitten by a portrait of Henry Hudson. ”
“You do realize that young men of the Beau Monde are as seldom instructed in gifted conversation as their female counterparts.”
“Which is why I prefer the lectures at the Royal Academy to an afternoon soiree.”
“I am surprised that your parents did not mine the Academy for potential suitors.”
“I suspect the idea of my marrying an academician may be slightly more horrifying to my father than my remaining a penniless spinster. I once heard him comment about a particular lecture series as being attended by people ‘not of our ilk.’”
“So your candidate should be from among the ton.”
“Unless I wish to elope and be disowned, yes.”
“Is that a possibility?”
Elspeth looked down, studying her reticule as if it were a priceless work of art. Finally she took a deep breath and looked up. “I have considered it. I am not sure I am strong enough to make it succeed.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s chin tilted up a bit. “Again, it is the rare woman who knows what she is capable of. And what she is not.” She remained still a moment, studying Elspeth, with one glance at Sinclair.
Then she gave a single nod. “Return tomorrow at ten. I will have a contract for you stating my fee, and I will have the first prospects for your review. I will ask for a small payment upfront. The rest will be paid out of your dowry after your marriage, and any potential suitor will have to agree to that.”
“I understand.”
Mrs. Dove-Lyon studied her a moment, then nodded. “I think you do. And I suggest that you and Mrs. Sinclair take a slow stroll through the park on your way home. Ease your nerves. It will be a long, stressful week. And it may end as it began, with a marriage to a viscount in front of you.”
Elspeth sighed, then rose. “Thank you. Even if it does end that way, I know I tried to change the outcome in the only way possible. I appreciate that.”
As if she had heard the meeting end, Helena opened the door and escorted Elspeth and Sinclair out the way they had entered. As the outer door finally closed behind them, Elspeth released a long breath. “Well, it’s done.”
Sinclair nodded. “I do hope it is beneficial.”
Elspeth gestured toward the end of the Cleveland Row, the location of the Lyon’s Den. “The carriage should be waiting around the corner.”
They started in that direction when a thought crossed Elspeth’s mind, something that Mrs. Dove-Lyon had said. She touched her maid’s arm. “By the way . . . Mrs. Sinclair?”
The brogue returned. “Ach. It be a very long tale.”