Chapter Six
“You are doing it on purpose,” Elizabeth said as she plopped onto the sofa in the parlor. “You deliberately foil their advances.”
Rebecca took the cup of tea Nora offered, hoping to fortify her nerves. If only she could sneak a nip of whiskey from Philip’s supply. Alas, it was too early in the day. “I do nothing deliberately.”
“Exactly. You do nothing when they speak with you, invite you to dance, or compliment your beauty. It has been eight days already, and six social occasions, but you have not let one man call on you.”
She sipped the tea, grimacing at the bitter flavor. “None have caught my attention, sister.” She leaned forward to add cream to her tea, looking up in time to see Nora frown at her. “What?”
“You do not normally weaken your tea, m’lady.”
“It is bitter today.”
Elizabeth interrupted their discussion with a wave of her hands. “You must make an effort, Rebecca. You do not wish to be a spinster like Aunt Maude, do you?”
“Of course not. Nor do I wish to be the financier of some blackguard’s gaming habit, or prize for some egotist.” She shook her head. “I have heard of the wager, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth appeared to suddenly find the cabbage rose pattern of the sofa compelling. “I do not know of what you speak.”
“Several of the men in your acquaintance have wagered on who will be the one to get through my cold shell.” She bit her lip, suddenly recalling Christoph’s very similar words. “I counter their wager and say none.”
Her sister sighed. “Some men have nothing better to do than make sport of everything.”
“Like Father. I shan’t marry a wastrel like him.”
She sighed again. “I understand, but you cannot dismiss every man.”
“Introduce me to someone of interest, and perhaps I will not.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Tonight is Alexander Hanover’s ball to celebrate his homecoming.”
“Who?”
“He is a wealthy merchant with many ships and a lucrative import business.” Elizabeth’s look turned speculative. “Somehow, I think you will find him interesting. He intimidates most of the young ladies, but you are not like most.”
Rebecca sighed. “We shall see.”
“You must wear the lavender tonight.”
She set her cup on the table. “I am quite capable of dressing myself.”
“I know, but it is the most stunning of the gowns Madam Brovay completed for you, and you have not worn it in public yet.”
She inclined her head. “If it makes you happy.” She lifted her cup again and looked at Nora. “Would you see if there are any remaining lemon biscuits from yesterday’s tea?”
Nora’s eyebrow shot up. “But you do not like lemon, m’lady.”
She shrugged. “I have a craving for one.”
With a sigh, Nora left the room, returning shortly with a plate of lemon biscuits. Rebecca found the scent off-putting, but the tartness made up for her initial reaction. She couldn’t imagine why she hadn’t liked lemons in the past.