eyes and her unquenchable spirit made up for her lack of height. ‘How could you ask it of me?’
‘Because there is little choice left to me,’ Lady Stevens said. ‘Your father is close to ruin and if you do not oblige us by making a splendid marriage, we shall lose everything.’
‘Yes, I see...’ Charlotte banished her desire to scream and shout, because she loved Papa dearly and could not bear to think he was in so much trouble. ‘Who have you selected for me to marry?’ She lifted her head, determined to be brave and face whatever terrible fate awaited her.
‘It is not that desperate just yet,’ Mama told her with a determined smile. ‘Fortunately, I have some money put by for you to have a Season in town. You are very lovely, Charlotte. I am convinced that more than one gentleman will be prompted to offer for you—and you may choose for yourself, provided that your choice is in a position to assist your family.’
‘Yes, I see,’ Charlotte said, her spirits lifting a little. At least she was to be given a little freedom before she was thrown to the lions! ‘Well, Mama, I see that there is no choice and I promise that I shall do my best to oblige you.’
‘If only your aunt had not sold her best jewels and replaced them with fakes,’ Mama said wistfully. ‘Your uncle was so kind as to leave them to you, but I’m sure he had no idea that the best diamonds and the rubies, to say nothing of the emeralds and sapphires...all fakes, and only a few paltry trinkets left that are worth little more than a few pounds...’
‘I would gladly sell them if they would help Papa.’
‘Unfortunately, his debts run to at least twenty thousand pounds,’ Mama said, a note of distress in her voice. ‘Even if you sold everything, you could raise no more than a thousand or so. I see nothing else for it, my love—you must marry a fortune.’
Charlotte turned away to look out of the parlour window at the gardens behind her father’s house. Mama loved her home and it would break her heart to be forced to leave it—and Matt would have little chance of marrying well if they were ruined. Her love for her father, brother and Mama was too strong for Charlotte to think of rebelling. She knew that she must do her duty. All she could hope was that she would find a rich man who was not too fat or too old, whom she could respect, even if she could not love him.
Sighing, she turned to Mama with a smile. ‘I shall do my best to oblige you and Papa, but I cannot promise that anyone will fall in love with me enough to ask for my hand.’
‘Some gentlemen do not look for love in marriage,’ Mama said. ‘They wish for a comfortable arrangement with a girl of good family that will provide children—and, once the heir is secure, they take their pleasures elsewhere. After you have given your husband at least one son, but preferably two—it is always wise to have a spare, you know—he will no doubt leave you to do much as you please.’
‘Do all men behave in that manner, Mama?’ Charlotte asked innocently. ‘Are they never faithful? I thought perhaps if one loved one’s husband...’
‘Perhaps there are some that remain faithful,’ Mama allowed. ‘Indeed, I hope that you will find such a man—but you must not look for it, Charlotte. The most you can expect is a comfortable home and a life spent enjoying your children and entertaining your friends.’
‘Oh, I see.’ Charlotte turned back to gazing out of the window. It seemed that all her dreams of love and romance were a girl’s foolishness and nothing more.
‘Well, I can only hope you will be sensible,’ Mama said. ‘I have been honest with you, Charlotte. Papa has taken a house in Berkeley Square. It is very expensive, even for just a few weeks, my love, so you must make the most of your chances—because if you fail...’ A little shudder ran through Lady Stevens. ‘Well, we shall not consider that eventuality. I have always thought you a remarkable girl and I am certain you will not let us down.’
Charlotte crossed her fingers behind her back. She could only hope that her mother’s faith in her was not misplaced. Somehow she must forget her dreams of the tall dark stranger, who would sweep her off her feet and fall desperately in love with her, and make up her mind to accept someone with whom she might make a comfortable life.
‘Well, sir, what have you to say for yourself?’ The Marquis of Ellington’s thick grey brows met in a ferocious scowl that would throw fear into the hearts of most men, but merely brought a smile to his grandson’s mouth. ‘Damn it, Jack, can you never be serious? This is important. You know you will have to step into my shoes one day, boy. You should consider setting up your nursery.’
‘Certainly, sir.’ Captain Viscount Delsey’s smile flashed out at him. A handsome man, tall, strongly built with good shoulders and legs, dark hair and deep-grey eyes, he had been more or less master of his own fortune since his father died when he was but seventeen, leaving him to the care of his mother, Lady Daisy, and his grandfather. ‘I am willing to consider whatever you wish—but you know my opinion on marriage...’
‘How many times must I tell you that marriage is a duty that need not interfere with your pleasures? A girl properly brought up and from a decent family will give you the heirs you require without any fuss and bother about love or fidelity. She will understand that a man has his own concerns and confine herself to caring for her children and her home.’
‘How perfectly awful for the young woman in question,’ Jack murmured softly, but his grandfather’s hearing was as acute as ever.
‘A lady understands these things,’ the marquis growled. ‘If your sense of what is right is so nice, then you must find a young lady who will fulfill all your needs.’
‘Ah, but where is such a lady to be found?’ Jack teased. ‘Where is the beauty that can tame the rake’s heart and make it hers? I will make you a promise, Grandfather. If I ever find such a young woman, I will marry her whatever walk of life she comes from—and then I shall settle down and be the family man you all want me to be.’
The marquis sighed and shook his head, a scowl settling on his noble brow. ‘You will be the death of me, sir. I forbid you to bring a woman of ill repute into this family.’
‘How can you think that I would do such a thing?’ Jack pulled a mocking face of dismay. ‘Do you imagine I spend all my time with such barques of frailty?’
‘From what the gossips say you have been through a string of opera dancers and the like in the past year or so! It is time you thought about your family—about me. I have done my best for you, in all conscience—could you not give some thought to the idea of finding a wife?’
‘You should not listen to Mama, sir,’ Jack said. ‘She spends too much time with Aunt Seraphina, and she has the gossip from my cousin Reginald. Now honestly—would you wish me to be like your nephew Reginald?’
‘No, I should not. The man is a prosy fool.’ The marquis exploded with wrath. ‘Jack, why will you tease me so? You know I think the world of you, boy. I am proud of you—of what you achieved in the army, even though I did not wish you to go to war—but I cannot live for ever and it means a great deal to me to see your first son: my heir. God forbid that Reginald should have a son to inherit the estate.’
‘Yes, that would be very bad,’ Jack said thoughtfully. ‘I should not like to think of Reginald stepping into your shoes—though I must say I have no intention of dying for many years yet.’
‘Your father’s accident was sudden and unexpected.’ A look of sudden deep and hurtful sadness flashed into the old man’s eyes.
Jack’s mirth was sobered instantly. ‘Yes, sir, forgive me. I do not mean to upset you.’
‘Then...to please me?’
‘You want me to visit Mama’s cousin Lord Sopworth and inspect his daughter Celia?’ Jack’s brows met in a frown and