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Tricia raised an eyebrow. “What would be improper about it, Mummy? You will be with us as a chaperone.”
Lady Clementine frowned. “But Tricia, why both at the same time? Why not tell the other you’ll stroll with him tomorrow afternoon? I’ll be happy to chaperone you.”
“Mummy, why does it matter? I have no interest in either of them.”
“Then why go at all?”
Tricia couldn’t tell her why. Only that she was titillated by the idea of two men giving their attentions to her. She couldn’t tell her mother she had read about such in The Ruby.
“To see if I could be interested in either of them,” she said. She didn’t like to lie to her mother, but what else could she do?
“You can certainly learn that by strolling with each of them separately.” Her mother glanced into the parlor where a young debutante was playing the pianoforte. “Besides, it’s late and quite brisk outside. I just can’t allow it.”
Tricia pounded her foot on the floor. “Mummy!”
“That is my decision on the matter. If you don’t like my decision, you’re welcome to appeal to your brother.”
Tricia shook her head. “Cam will be even stricter than you.”
“And well he should be. We are all his responsibility now. And he takes his responsibilities quite seriously.”
“All right, Mummy.” Tricia led Lady Clementine back toward Jonathan and Lord Polk. “Gentlemen, I’m afraid?—”
“It’s much too late for a stroll,” her mother interrupted her. “However, if you’d like to take my daughter on a stroll tomorrow—one of you at a time, mind you—I shall be happy to chaperone.”
“Of course, my lady.” Lord Polk bowed.
Jonathan nodded. “Yes, I’m sure we can make that work.”
Her mother remained stony-faced. “Now, if you shall excuse us, the hour is late, and Tricia should be retiring.”
Both gentlemen bowed and walked toward the foyer.
Oh, the embarrassment! Mummy didn’t mean to embarrass her, Tricia knew, and she was right. It probably would have been improper to take a stroll with two gentlemen, especially at this late hour.
She held back a tantrum and simply nodded to her mother. “All right, Mummy. You got your wish. Now I suppose I shall retire.”
Lady Clementine’s countenance softened. “You’re welcome to join the ladies for a few moments in the parlor, if you wish. Mingle with the other young debutantes. But a stroll with a gentleman at this late hour—especially a stroll with two gentlemen—would have been highly improper, and you and I both know it, Tricia. Why on earth did you even make such a request?”
“I just thought it sounded like fun.”
“But you said yourself you’re not interested in either of those gentlemen.” She pursed her lips. “Though I’m not sure why not. They’re both very handsome and charming.”
Tricia bit her lip. “Neither is titled.”
“And since when do you worry about that?” Lady Clementine asked. “Your own brother wasn’t born titled. Either of those gentlemen would make a wonderful match. With your dowry and their allowances, you would have a wonderful life.”
“I suppose.” Tricia sighed.
Her mother laid a hand on her shoulder. “Come now. Let’s join the ladies in the parlor.”
Tricia shook her head. “Thank you, Mummy, but do believe I shall retire after all.”
THE RUBY
THE PERILS OF PORTIA
Episode Twelve
