The Bachelor Bargain (Secrets, Scandals, and Spies) by Michaels, Maddison (short books to read TXT) 📕

no conceivable way Lady Rutherford would be able to launch a girl with such a humble background as you speak of into Society, regardless of any past successes. I, however, would be able to, if she of course had a sizable dowry to overcome such a hurdle.”

“Her dowry is thirty thousand pounds.”

For a moment, Demelza’s mouth hung agape, until she seemed to remember herself and snapped it closed. “That is a king’s ransom. Who is this brother of hers who could afford such a sum?”

“No one of importance,” Livie assured with a nonchalant wave of her hand. “He is simply an associate of Alexander’s who trades the stock market and has made a small fortune for his efforts.” She really wasn’t lying to her aunt. Colver was in fact an associate of Alex’s and he did trade his companies on the stock market, and though he’d made much more than a small fortune, he’d made a small fortune at some point in time, before it grew to the behemoth that it now was. And though she knew Sebastian was a very important man, in Demelza’s world of titles, a bastard really was of little importance.

“If he’s offering thirty thousand pounds for her dowry, the gal must not only need etiquette lessons, but I gather she must be rather unfortunate in her appearance. Am I correct?” The expression in Demelza’s eyes was all but expecting Livie to agree.

“Actually, I’m told she’s rather attractive.” Not that appearances should matter, but in Livie’s world they did. Although, even a woman who was not necessarily considered pretty could still at least secure a husband with a large enough dowry, as long as she had no limp. No. Such a thing in a young lady was simply unacceptable to the gentlemen of her world, who would not stand for their wife to have a disability of any kind, no matter the woman’s appearance, dowry, or connections.

Livie had learned that truth the hard way.

“You’re told?” Her aunt exhaled a sharp breath. “Do you mean to tell me you haven’t actually met the girl?”

“One would think it shouldn’t matter what a lady looks like.”

“You know very well it does, young lady!” Demelza huffed as she grabbed her cane and smacked it onto the floor.

The effect was lost against the rug underneath their feet and Livie had to work hard not to grin. “Yes, well, I suppose even someone with your clout would not be up to the task of turning a girl into the most celebrated of the season, regardless of her looks. I did warn you it would be too difficult a task, even for you.”

She could see the annoyance oozing from every pore of her godmother, who hated to hear she was unequal to any task.

“Pfff,” Demelza scoffed. “Society will think she’s a diamond of the first water if I deem it so. Just you wait and see.”

“Excellent.” Livie finally allowed her smile free rein. “Then you agree to sponsor her.”

“Don’t think I don’t know exactly what you just did, you impertinent gal.” Demelza raised the cane and pointed it across at Livie. “Thinking to use my vanity to manipulate me into agreeing…” Slowly, she dropped her cane and returned Livie’s smile. “Well, it has worked, which clearly illustrates that the lessons I have been imparting to you over the years about how to get others to do your bidding have been successful. Clever girl.”

Livie laughed. “Very successful indeed, Aunt.”

Demelza shook her head and sighed, though Livie could see the pride shining from the woman’s eyes. “I’d best meet this girl then, to assess exactly what I have taken on board. At least the girl’s father is a doctor, which is a respectable profession, even if he does choose to use his skills treating the less fortunate in such a disreputable area of London. In any event, hopefully she shouldn’t be too difficult to teach manners to.”

“You intend to take on that task as well?” Livie was glad of it, though she did feel somewhat sorry for Charlotte already; Demelza was nothing if not a very hard taskmaster. And proper etiquette was one of her most favorite things.

“Yes. Who better placed than I to do so,” Demelza stated with complete certainty. “If I am to sponsor her, then I must ensure she will represent me with the utmost decorum.”

“Quite right, Aunt. Under your tutelage, she shall shine.”

“Hm,” her aunt replied. “Bring her to me at twelve o’clock next Monday.”

“Twelve o’clock?” Demelza never accepted visitors before two, not even Livie.

“Yes.” Demelza tapped her cane on the floor again. “How else am I to assess her and begin her lessons if I have other callers coming to visit?”

Without warning, the door to the room burst open and Etta ran through, her bonnet perched precariously on her head, her chest heaving as she came to a screeching halt in front of them.

Chapter Six

“Good gracious, Miss Merriweather, has someone died?” her aunt demanded, as both she and Livie stood at Etta’s abrupt entrance. “Perhaps this Charlotte is not the only one who could use some lessons in etiquette, hm?” She was staring pointedly at Etta.

“Beg pardon, Your Grace,” Etta breathlessly apologized. “But I’ve been searching for Lady Olivia everywhere.” Etta turned to face Livie. “I must talk with you, urgently.”

Though Etta was prone to the dramatic, the expression in her gaze was filled with a desperate plea, and Livie nodded.

“I was just about to take my leave,” Livie replied, collecting her cane and motioning for Etta to head to the door she’d just careened through. “As always, it was a pleasure, Aunt—”

“Miss Merriweather simply cannot barge into my sitting room like the devil is after her for you then to both leave,” Demelza declared. “She must explain what is so urgent as to treat my sitting room as if it were some sort of dockside tavern.”

“Oh, I am sorry—”

“Etta, there is no need to apologize.” Livie cut her off. “Aunt Demelza simply wishes to know