Chapter 7 #2
For the moment, everything seemed fine. Lady Amberly found the one person she knew and was already deep in the throes of gossip, occasionally waving at her niece and wiping her brow as if being out in public was the worst possible strain on her constitution.
Lizzie had no idea where Quinn had gone.
He’d stayed close at first, but soon melted away, probably to a card game.
She hoped he wouldn’t get in any trouble, but then reminded herself she only needed to worry about Catie, and Catie was doing perfectly well.
As Lizzie relaxed, a sharp featured matron weighted down with diamonds swooped onto the chair next to her like a glittering hawk. Lady Hollingsborn fanned herself, wafting heavily perfumed air onto Lizzie, before leaning over and getting cozy for a chat. It was all Lizzie could do not to recoil.
“Your new charge is darling, Miss Burnet,” she said. “So quaint. I believe my son heard her talking about goats.”
Lizzie turned to face her, smiling her brightest stage smile, scrolling through her mental lists of the nobility.
Lord Edwin Hollingsborn was twenty-four, would be the fourth Marquis of Hollingsborn one day.
Soon, based on rumors of his father’s ill health.
It was a good title, and gobs of land, but she knew one of their estates was crumbling under the weight of Edwin’s gambling debts as well as literally crumbling due to poor management.
Lady Hollingsborn had probably sold a painting just to have a dress to wear tonight.
“Well, she was raised on a farm, Lady Hollingsborn,” Lizzie answered. “I’ve never met such a hardworking and capable girl.”
“Hardworking and capable are two very fine qualities indeed,” she said, snapping her fan. “I wonder if it’s enough for a future Marchioness.”
“My goodness, has your son expressed such an interest in Miss Catriona already? After just one dance?”
Lady Hollingsborn peered at her over the end of her scissor sharp nose and Lizzie continued smiling. This was it. She was about to be made an offer. And after less than two hours.
“Of course Edwin thinks she’s as charming as I do. And I’m certain he’d want to get to know her better, discover some more of her fine qualities.” She patted her coiffure. “Of which she has many, I’m sure.” She deigned to look down her predatory beak at Catie, sizing her up and judging her.
Lizzie fumed, but shook off the unwonted surge of anger on Catie’s behalf. It didn’t matter that she was worth twenty of this old bat and her dissolute son. She had to get married and it may as well be to a marquis.
“Many indeed,” Lizzie said. “I can think of at least thirty thousand. But he will want to discover them all on his own, just as you say.”
Lady Hollingsborn made a less than dignified noise and Lizzie sat back in her chair.
It looked like she was going to be able to relax for the next month.
She’d keep an eye out for a better offer, but as of now, she’d just hooked Catie a marquis.
Of course, if she was able to get home she wouldn’t be around to get her kickback from facilitating, but she decided to do this one for fun.
A last hurrah. If Catie was as clever as she thought, she could make a good marriage of it, maybe get Edwin to quit his bad habits.
She’d spend her last days in this time schooling her on how to manage.
A final good deed to make up for her not so good ones up until now.
As Lady Hollingsborn gathered her wits, Lizzie surveyed the room.
Catie still appeared to be having a good time, but she noticed Quinn coming from a back room, looking a bit smug, with two disgruntled gentleman following behind him, giving him the stink eye.
She glanced at Lady H, then back at Quinn.
Something seemed amiss, and as much as she wanted to hammer out details, she felt an overwhelming urge to make sure Quinn was all right.
“Please Lady Hollingsborn, you must excuse me. Catriona and Lady Amberly will be delighted to receive you any morning this week.” She stood and bobbed apologetically, while trying to maintain the upper hand.
“Of course I’d love to speak more with you as well, and pray I’ll be able to offer my counsel to her.
She is such a sweet, simple girl. She relies heavily on my advice. ”
Lizzie could barely restrain herself from punching the air in triumph as she strode away to speak with Quinn.
“I’ve just won Catriona a new fortune,” he said, pleased with himself beyond measure. His radiant, open smile made him look extremely huggable, and very young.
“How old are you?” she asked abruptly, about to beg his pardon the second the words were out. It was none of her business, yet he answered her anyway, without a hint of embarrassment.
“Two and twenty,” he said, leaning closer to her.
He was so young. Four years younger than her.
It depressed her, wondering if he viewed her as an old maid.
She must seem ancient to him, dried up and alone.
She remembered Catie blurting out that she didn’t look like a spinster and her heart sank further.
Catie must have gotten that notion from someone and it was probably Quinn.