Page 82 of How to Lose a Lord in Ten Days

‘Stupid,’ she said. ‘But worse.’

‘Wonderful. Now – begone.’

‘You begone.’

She leant forward to pick up the book at the top of his stack, holding it up to her candle so that she might read the title.

‘This is one of my favourites,’ she said, surprised.

He looked at it. ‘Mine as well.’

‘Though it was written by a woman?’

Ashford leant forward to snatch the book back. ‘I do not actually hold women in low account.’

‘Really?’ she said, rather derisively. ‘You can understand why I would disagree, given what I overheard on our very first meeting.’

‘I should never have said such things if I knew anyone was listening!’

‘Do you see how that makes it worse?’

‘Everyone has a right to hold an opinion,’ Ashford said. ‘Is it such a crime to evaluate the characters of the women I might marry?’

Lydia laughed. ‘Very well,’ she said. ‘Tell me something you learnt of these ladies’ characters – beyond whether they know who the Prime Minister is.’

‘What do you mean?’ Ashford’s brow furrowed.

‘Does Miss Callow have a favourite novel?’ Lydia suggested, in the sort of tone one might use to speak to a particularly slow child.

‘I don’t—’ he broke off.

‘Miss Mablethorpe’s sister was wed last year,’ Lydia said. ‘I wonder, does she miss her, now she has left home?’

Ashford stared. Lydia leant forward.

‘Could you tell me the name of Lady Evelina’s new niece?’ she asked.

There was a long pause.

‘No,’ Ashford admitted.

‘I suppose their characters were not important to you,’ Lydia said. ‘So long as their dowries were considerable and their families unobjectionable.’

Ashford scrubbed a hand across his face. He seemed shaken.

‘It was more than … I did not have long to make my choice and I …’ Ashford stammered out. Lydia had never seen him so tongue-tied.

‘It is rather damning,’ he admitted after a pause. ‘When one lays it out in such a way.’

‘Thank you,’ Lydia said. ‘It was meant to be.’

She tried not to preen at this win, but Ashford sent her a narrow-eyed glance.

‘Are you always such a smug winner?’ he asked.

‘No,’ she said, ‘but well done on asking a question.’

He gave a reluctant snort of laughter.