Page 36 of To Break the Rules

Dear Matilda,

Nate has made a list of all the most eligible men of his acquaintance. Do come and visit and look at the list, then we can arrange a series of dinner parties to introduce you to them. I just know we can find you a good man if we put our minds to it!

―Excerpt of a letter from Mrs Alice Hunt to Miss Matilda Hunt.

12th July 1814. Bond Street, London.

“Lord Cavendish! Lord Cavendish… it is you!”

Silas frowned, his hurried footsteps slowing as he turned, irritated to be accosted in the street. In truth, he’d been irritated and bad tempered for days now; ever since the beautiful and infuriating Miss de Feria had summarily rejected his proposal.

The sight of Mrs Edina Manning, society hostess and glamorous widow, hailing him with such enthusiasm, did not improve his temper. He forced a smile to his face and endeavoured to be polite. In truth, he liked Edina. She could be a bitch, but she didn’t suffer fools and had a tendency towards ruthless honesty, qualities that Silas could admire.

They had dallied together on and off over the past years. Nothing serious, but an occasional physical interlude that had satisfied them both. She was an experienced woman, a little older than himself, and she knew what she wanted, and how to get it.

“Silas, darling,” she purred, once she’d gotten his attention. “How lovely to see you. You’re looking well.”

“Edina,” he replied, smiling at her. “And you look as beautiful as ever, but that goes without saying.”

“Flatterer,” she said, laughing, a pleasing, low and throaty sound. “Now, you wretched devil, I’ve invited you to two separate dinner parties and you’ve turned both down. I warn you now, you are about to get a third, and I shall not take no for an answer.”

Silas sighed and shook his head. “You know as well as I do that I cannot abide small talk and polite conversation. I would only say something outrageous and offend everyone.”

Edina’s dark eyebrows rose. “Why on earth do you think I want you to come?” she demanded, making him laugh. “I adore outrageousness, as you well know. Oh, do come, Silas? I’ll allow you to bring your own guests.”

Silas frowned, considering that. Lucia was avoiding him, cancelling her appearance to a ball he knew she’d been going to attend, as well as several other events.

“Very well,” he said, even though he knew it would give her a juicy morsel to set tongues wagging. “I’ll come, if you invite Miss de Feria and Miss Hunt.”

A knowing smile curved over her mouth as she looked up at him. “Ah, I see, that’s how the land, lies is it? And which of the lovely young ladies is the one you are pursuing, I wonder? Or is it both?”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” he said, winking at her.

“Wretch,” she said, shaking her head and looking mournful. “I should despise you for inviting two young beauties, for how shall I compete?”

He laughed at the obvious ploy for a compliment. “Oh, take heart, Edina, you have many far more handsome beaus and more devoted ones. I don’t think you require the entire male portion of the ton at your feet.”

“Don’t I?” she said with a little sniff, though laughter danced in her eyes. “That just shows what you know.” She gave him a shameless wink and began to walk away. “Very well, consider it done, odious man. I’ll send the invitations out and count on your attendance.”

With a sigh, Silas watched her go, and then carried on his way.

***

12th July 1814. Meeting of the Peculiar Ladies, Upper Walpole Street, London.

“Are you quite well, Lucia? You’re very quiet.”

Lucia looked up to see Ruth watching her with concern.

“Oh, yes, quite well,” Lucia said at once, striving for a smile she was not feeling. “I… I’m not sleeping well, that’s all.”

That was an understatement, she thought with a sigh. Thoughts of Lord Cavendish consumed her nights and her days, memories of his kiss and his proposal, his promise to keep her safe. She’d told herself to forget it, to forget him, but neither option had been successful.

“You poor dear,” Ruth said, frowning and taking her hand. “Don’t worry, I have just the thing in my medicine cupboard.”

Lucia smiled as Ruth hurried off. She was a no-nonsense, capable young woman who seemed to manage her father’s vast household with the ease of someone much more experienced. Nothing ever seemed to daunt her. She would make the perfect ton wife, except of course for the fact her father was of the merchant class. This alone made her quite as unmarriageable as Matilda, or any of the rest of them.

Turning her attention back to the group of young ladies, Lucia considered each one in turn. Unusually, the married ladies, Alice and Prue, were absent today, shrinking their numbers, though there was no lack of animated conversation. She felt a rush of affection for them as she looked about the remaining women. They all had their problems and peculiarities, but their friendships strengthened them.