Page 65 of Thief of the Ton
“Are you well, Lord Hythe?” she asked.
He fixed his milky gaze on her. “Forgive me—you are…?”
“Miss de Grande,” she said. He frowned, as if in concentration. “I believe you knew my father, Viscount Richard de Grande, formerly of Fosterley Park?”
His frown deepened. “I recall the name, but…” He shook his head. “Are you enjoying the dance, Miss…?”
“De Grande.”
“De Grande, yes—that’s it,” he said. “So many new names for a man to contend with. Delighted, I’m sure.”
Another clash of notes rang out as Lady Hythe made her best attempt at the chorus, and as the dancers changed partners, Lavinia found herself once more with Lord Marlow.
“You must forgive me, Miss de Grande,” he said.
“What for?”
He smiled. “For discomposing you earlier. A woman should enjoy the same freedoms as a man to choose how she lives her life.”
“Ah, but if a woman displays too much freedom, she is vilified by Society.”
“Are you thinking of any woman in particular?” he asked. “Lady Betty Grey, for instance?”
She drew in a sharp breath. How did he know that she had Lady Betty in mind?
“You’re very perceptive, sir.”
“I overheard your aunt sharing her opinion of Lady Betty over dinner,” he said.
“Lady Betty is a dear friend,” Lavinia said.
“Then I applaud your generosity toward her. Most ladies would give her the cut direct. It’s a common fault of your sex.”
How dare he!
“I disagree, Lord Marlow,” she replied. “It’s the fault ofyours.”
“How so?”
“It’s perfectly simple,” she said. “Men rule women by manipulating them into turning against each other.”
He let out a laugh. “Are you saying that we persuade women to fight? Somewhat preposterous, don’t you think?”
“When a man is unfaithful to his wife, Lord Marlow, whom does Society blame? Not the husband—he’sapplauded for exercising his rights as a man, and proving his virility. His wife is blamed for not satisfying him such that he’s forced to look elsewhere. And his mistress is blamed for playing the temptress and bringing discord into the harmonious family unit.”
“Then, perhaps, the wife should admonish her husband, rather than direct her disgust at the mistress,” he said.
“And what do you suppose the husband would do if the wife admonished him?” she asked. “Most likely he’d punish her by exiling her to the country while he entertains his mistress elsewhere.”
“Then the mistress—”
“Is merely seeking a living,” she said. “She’s not to blame for her actions. She is a function of the world in which she lives—a world ruled by men.”
They turned in the dance, and she moved forward, treading on his toe.
“I consider myself duly admonished, Miss de Grande,” he said. “The sweet child I once knew is no more.”
“Perhaps you didn’t know me at all,” she replied. “After all, I could never recall your name.”
