Mistaken for a Rake - Rose Pearson Page 0,8
I am, however, all the more happy to be of help to you. As you are the eldest, it is only right that you should find a match first, although I applaud your willingness to help your sisters in such a way.”
A flush of embarrassment caught Rebecca’s cheeks. “I am not worthy of such accolades,” she replied, a little ashamed. “I have spent many moments complaining and becoming frustrated with my responsibilities, rather than accepting what has been.”
“That is not something I shall hold against you,” Lady Hayward answered firmly. “Now, Lady Rebecca, tell me of the sort of gentleman that you would be glad to consider as a suitable husband.”
Rebecca’s flush only deepened, but Lady Hayward laughed and pressed her to speak openly.
“I have given it some consideration,” Rebecca replied eventually, hating that her cheeks were so colored. “He would have to have an excellent title. I believe a marquess would be the most acceptable to my father. In addition, he must be solvent, of course, with no penchant for wasting it away on something such as gambling or horseflesh. I believe my father would be expecting that he would have a large estate, with evidence of profit from each year, as well as a plan for how the estate might continue to grow and flourish.” She lifted one shoulder, allowing herself to look out at the various gentlemen who were moving past them, wondering which one might have such qualities. “He would have to be sensible, not prone to drunkenness, and be eager to produce an heir. That is all I believe that my father would expect.”
Relieved that she had spoken as Lady Hayward had wished, Rebecca turned her head to her chaperone, wondering what the lady would make of it, only to see her gazing back at Rebecca with utter astonishment. Her blue eyes were wide, her mouth a little ajar, and had come to a complete halt, staring at Rebecca as though she had gone quite mad.
“Did I say something upsetting?” Rebecca asked, now all the more embarrassed at such a reaction from the lady. “I apologize if I—”
“My dear Lady Rebecca!” Lady Hayward exclaimed, grasping Rebecca’s hand suddenly and shaking her head with such fervor that, for a moment, Rebecca feared that the lady was unwell. “What can you be thinking of?”
“I—I do not understand what you mean,” Rebecca replied, stammering just a little. “I have only spoken as you asked me.”
“No, no!” Lady Hayward exclaimed, a now considerate smile spreading across her face. “There must be more to your expectations of a husband than that, Lady Rebecca!” Lowering her voice and still holding Rebecca’s hand, she took a small step closer. “When I ask you about what you are considering in terms of suitable gentlemen, I do not mean what requirements fulfill your father’s satisfaction, Lady Rebecca, but what you consider!”
Rebecca shook her head. “I do not know what you mean, Lady Hayward.”
Lady Hayward pressed her fingers gently and then removed her hand. “Should you like him to be kind? Considerate? Would you like a husband who would make you smile? Shall he enjoy horse riding, for example, if that is something you enjoy? What shared interests might you have? Should you prefer a gentleman bold and loud or quiet and a little more studious?” Her eyes sparkled. “And there is always the consideration as to whether or not the gentleman’s features are appealing to you, Lady Rebecca. That is not something that ought to be ignored. One should not marry a gentleman that does not have a handsome quality about him, although that particular preference changes from person to person.”
Rebecca, who had never heard anyone speak in such a frank way before nor had ever even thought of such a thing before, did not know what to say. She swallowed hard, her cheeks burning hot, and her mind whirling with all manner of thoughts.
“I can see that we will have to have many discussions before we can settle on a particular sort of gentleman,” Lady Hayward said, no mockery in her voice but with a gentleness in her manner that took away some of Rebecca’s embarrassment. “It is not something you have considered, then?”
“No,” Rebecca replied, hoarsely. “I have never once permitted myself to think of anything other than what my father will require.”
“Well, you shall do so now,” Lady Hayward answered decisively. “I shall introduce you to various gentlemen this evening, Lady Rebecca, and perhaps tomorrow, you and I shall discuss their