Page 69 of How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days

‘You – you do not disagree with me though,’ she said, feeling oddly unsettled by his continued gaze. ‘We are ill-suited, are we not? Will you not consider some kind of—’

‘Swap?’ he said, stepping back again and rolling his eyes. ‘And I am the one who treats women as chattels? Do Miss Hesse’s wishes figure in this, at all?’

‘Of course they do!’ Lydia snapped. ‘I am merely asking you—’

‘The answer is no.’ He shook his head. ‘So you may cease trying.’

‘She is superior to me in every way,’ Lydia persisted.

‘Believe me,’ Ashford said, ‘I am quite aware of that.’

And even though Lydia had been the one to say it first, it still felt a blow, and her cheeks stung red.

‘My apologies, we did run on didn’t we?’ Mr Brandon said, appearing at their side and puncturing the tension. ‘It was just that Miss Hesse seems to suit so many colours! It is quite miraculous, really.’

‘You are too kind,’ Miss Hesse said, smiling.

‘Miss Hesse, would you accompany me inside now?’ Lydia said abruptly. ‘I would so value your opinion.’ She needed to be away from Ashford, now.

‘Very well,’ Miss Hesse said agreeably.

She showed no hint of boredom as they moved around the room, looking at the trinkets and sheets of material as if she were looking for the first time. Perhaps she truly was quite as incomprehensibly good-natured as she seemed, which was a blessing, in many ways – but it did make Lydia’s task rather difficult. As much as she did not wish to admit it, Ashford did have a point. What were Miss Hesse’s wishes?

‘Is there anything in particular you are looking for?’ Miss Hesse asked. ‘You like feathers, do you not?’

‘Yes,’ Lydia agreed, without truly paying attention. ‘Your mother wishes you to marry Lord Ashford, doesn’t she?’

If Miss Hesse was alarmed by such a bold conversational turn, she gave no sign of it. ‘Yes,’ she said, placidly.

Lydia waited, but no more information appeared forthcoming.

‘What do you think of him?’

‘He is very nice,’ Miss Hesse said.

‘Do you care for him? More than other gentlemen?’

Miss Hesse’s nose wrinkled in confusion. ‘What do you mean?’

‘How do you feel for Mr Brandon?’

‘He is very nice.’

‘And Captain von Prett?’

‘He is very nice.’

Lydia’s heart sank. ‘Do you like any of them enough to marry them?’

‘I must marry well,’ Miss Hesse said. ‘It is my purpose.’

Lydia, a little queasy at the phrasing, persevered.

‘What does marrying well mean … for you?’ she asked. ‘Not your mama.’

Miss Hesse considered. ‘A pug,’ she said at last.

Lydia thought for a moment she must have misheard. ‘A … pug?’