Page 73 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

“I do!” She laughed up at him. “While it sounds worse in German.”

“More earthy, to be sure.”

“I also think that your inspiration will costGrandmamana fortune once we reach London. Why, each suit you wear makes me wish for a dress in the same combination, Your Grace. Imagine a dress in thislavande, embellished with silver beads. It would be like moonlight.”

He could imagine her in just such a dress, with his mother’s amethysts. Daphne Goodenham would look like a goddess who had set foot on the earth. “It would be magnificent,” he agreed. “With slippers of silver silk to match.”

She laughed. “You would be perilous to a dressmaker’s budget, Your Grace.”

“So my sister has often said.”

“You mentioned before that you had a sister. Will you tell me of her?”

“She is younger than me by a few years. Anthea is her name.”

Daphne looked up at him, her expression sober. “You are very fond of her. I hear it in your words.”

“Indeed. She is the sweetest of ladies.”

“Has she had her debut?”

Alexander frowned despite himself. “It did not proceed well, despite my best efforts. Her heart was broken, and now she remains at Airdfinnan. No amount of cajoling will convince her to leave.”

“How sad! Since you have said you frequent Town, it must be lonely there.”

“She insists she prefers solitude.”

“But she will never find a man of merit or fall in love so long as she remains secluded.”

“You think I should compel her to leave her sanctuary?”

“No, no, Your Grace. I think it is a fine and noble thing that you offer her a haven, and that you defend her desire.” Miss Goodenham frowned a little. “But it is so much easier when a beloved sister desires something that will make her happy in the end.”

“Might I assume that you refer to Miss Eurydice?”

“I do. She thinks she does not need to wed, or that she can marry for love independent of fortune.” The lady shook her head so that her blond curls danced. “It is whimsy, Your Grace. Women like us must be practical.”

He was intrigued. “Women like you?”

“My sister and I were orphaned nine years ago, when our parents both died in an accident. We were very fortunate thatGrandmamansaw fit not only to take us into her home, but to see us educated. She even intends to give us each a season.”

“But surely you are her only granddaughters.”

“We are, but her fortune is not infinite and she is of an age that I rather imagine she would prefer to be left to her letters and her gardens. The fact remains that she grows older.” She lifted her chin, looking valiant and wise. “When our parents died,Grandmamanwas in Bath. It took a fortnight for her to hear the news and come for us. I will never forget feeling responsible for Eurydice, that we two had only each other in the world. I vowed then that I would ensure our futures myself with a good marriage.”

She must have been very young. It clearly had been a frightening experience.

“Eurydice thinks I wish to wed a duke because I am a frivolous fool,” she said with a little smile.

“Perhaps you are not so frivolous as that.”

“I do like clothes and I like parties and I suspect I could love a man simply because he granted me the security I desire most. Does that mean I am frivolous?”

“Not entirely so.”

“I also like to balance the accounts withGrandmamanand ensure that every penny ends up where it belongs.”

Alexander was impressed. “That is not frivolous!”

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