“My mother says I look horrid in white, and she insists I dress in brighter colors.”
“Is that so?” Kitty asked.
Miss Olivia nodded. “But white looks good with your fair complexion,” she remarked. “My face always splotches when…”
Hannah interjected, “Perhaps we should continue with the introductions.”
“What a fine idea,” Katherine acknowledged before she gestured towards Mr. Dunn. “May I also introduce Mr. Dunn?”
Lord Berkshire tipped his head.
“Mr. Dunn, Lord Berkshire,” Katherine finished the introductions.
“Are you interested in dams, Lord Berkshire?” asked Mr. Dunn, sounding eager.
“I’m afraid dams hold little interest for me,” Lord Berkshire confessed.
Mr. Dunn frowned. “That is unfortunate to hear.”
With her eyes downcast, Kitty interjected, “I wouldn’t mind learning more about dams.”
Mr. Dunn’s face brightened. “I would be happy to teach you all about dams and their many finer points.”
“I look forward to it,” Kitty responded as she briefly brought her gaze up to meet Mr. Dunn’s.
“And if you would like,” Mr. Dunn continued, “I can recommend many books about them.”
“There are more than one?” Miss Olivia muttered under her breath.
Mr. Dunn shot her a look of annoyance. “There are many books about dams. After all, they have been around since the beginning of time.”
Cooper stepped into the room and announced that dinner was ready to be served.
They walked towards the dining room and sat down at the long rectangular table. To Katherine’s great annoyance, Lord Berkshire claimed the seat next to her.
“How are you this evening?” he asked politely as he placed the white linen napkin on his lap.
“I am well,” she replied.
Lord Berkshire leaned to the side as a footman placed a bowl of soup in front of him. In a hushed voice, he commented, “I must assume that Miss Olivia and Mr. Dunn are also your clients.”
“They are.”
He looked at her curiously. “May I ask you a question?”
“You may.”
“You may refuse to answer, if you so desire.”
“Now you have me intrigued,” she said as a footman placed a bowl of soup in front of her.
He hesitated before asking, “Why did you become a matchmaker?”
“To help people, of course,” she answered, smiling at him.
“But, why?” he asked. “Why do you wish to help people?”
It was her turn to eye him curiously. “Don’t you wish to help people, Lord Berkshire?”
“I’m afraid I don’t have time to help anyone but myself.”
“That is a shame,” she commented. “There is no greater joy than helping another.”
Lord Berkshire picked up his spoon. “Joy does not put food on the table, nor does it balance the ledgers.”
Her eyes shifted towards Mr. Dunn, who was clearly reading the book in his lap. “My sisters and I have been blessed enough that we want to help others find their own source of joy,” she said. Briefly, she wondered if Mr. Dunn’s parents had hired them knowing how difficult it would be to find a match for their son, or if they were as blind to his shortcomings as other doting parents tended to be.
“I bet the added income doesn’t hurt either?” he remarked dryly.
She met his gaze. “We don’t do this for the money.”
“I find that hard to believe,” he said with a huff.
“It’s true,” she replied. “My parents left us financially secure for the remainder of our days, assuming we live prudently.”
“If that is the case, then why aren’t you enjoying the Season more?”
“Who says we aren’t?” she questioned. “My sisters and I are invited to nearly every ball, soirée, and social gathering.”
“And yet, you yourself, aren’t interested in securing a match,” he commented as he watched her closely. “Why is that?”
She pursed her lips together. “I believe I already explained that sufficiently.”
“My apologies,” he replied. “But I must admit that you intrigue me.”
“Why is that?”
Shifting in his chair, he said, “You speak of joy as if it is something everyone can obtain, which it is not.”
“I believe that it is.”
“Then you would be wrong.”
“Why do you say that?”
His eyes grew thoughtful. “Not everyone is destined to have a happy life.”
“I must disagree with you,” she declared. “Even when the storm rages around us, we can still find joy and peace in our hearts.”
He shook his head. “You are living in a fictitious world.”
“So, what if I am?” she questioned.
His eyes darted towards Mr. Dunn, and he asked in a low voice, “And do you truly believe that Mr. Dunn will find a happy ending?”
“I do,” she replied. “We are working diligently to secure him a match.”
Lord Berkshire shot her a look of disbelief. “Mr. Dunn is currently reading a book as he is