Leigh Michaels - Just One Season in London

The town assemblies were too small to have much of an orchestra, so the music was most often provided by Miss Minchin at the piano. But this was all the young people had ever known, so they didnt miss the elegance of a London ballroom. Most of them would never have a London Season.

Including, Miranda thought with a wisp of sadness, the belle of tonights ball.

Mirandas gaze rested on her daughter. Sophies dark gold hair was a striking spot of color as she moved through the steps of the country dance. Miranda admitted she was partial to her own daughter. Still, everyone else faded into the background when compared to Sophie.

If only it was possible to get her to London Even there, among the assembled lovelies of the nation, Miranda was certain that Sophie would stand out.

Sophie smiled up at her partner. It was a truly breathtaking smile, and Miranda wasnt surprised when the young man looked dazed, turned red, and missed a step.

Next to Miranda, Lord Ryecroft shifted his broad shoulders against a pillar. I see my sister is at it again, Mama. That will make three young popinjays whose pretensions Ill have depressed this month alone.

Its only a dance. That doesnt mean hell come to ask your permission to call on Sophie.

Rye looked down at her, one eyebrow raised. If not, it will be because his father saw that smile too and put his foot down. You know as well as I do that Newstead wants someone with more of a dowry than our Sophie has when its time to marry off his younger son.

I wish Miranda bit her tongue, too late.

But it didnt matter, for the same thought was obviously already in Ryes head. You cant wish it any more than I do, Mama. Get Sophie to London and shed take the town by storm, marry a Croesus, and save us all.

He was joking, of course, Miranda knew. At least, he was mostly joking. But there was truth in what he said. Not that she wanted Sophie to choose a husband based only on wealth. But rich men fell in love tooand a young woman with Sophies warm heart could surely find a wealthy man she could care about.

If only I could get her to London

Rye smiled down at his motherbut though his expression was reminiscent of his sisters brilliance, she could see the shadow in his eyes. I havent the blunt to lay out for a London Season, he said, and with the best intentions in the world, I cant find it this year.

I know you cant, my dear. But perhaps I can , Miranda thought.

It would take sacrifice, and she would have to be careful not to let Rye and Sophie know. But for the sake of her children, Miranda would do anything.

***

Rye bowed to his mother and moved toward the refreshment room, where he helped an elderly lady to a glass of punch. She sipped the watery concoction and looked at him speculatively over the rim of her glass, her black eyes beady. Youre Viscount Ryecroft, arent you?

Rye admitted, warily, that he was.

She didnt favor him with her name. Instead she looked him up and down and asked, Why isnt a young buck like you in the assembly room flirting with the young ladies? Not lack of interest from the chits, Ill be bound. Is there no one here tonight with enough juice to be worth your while to court?

The comment stung Ryes pridethe more so because, in part at least, it was true. What sense was there in raising hopes among the young ladies at this assembly by dancing and flirting when he would never be able to form an attachment to one of them? Even worse, what if he were to meet a woman he could care about, but could not afford to marry her? Better to stay on the fringes.

What was true of his sister was equally true of him. If anything, his case was even more desperatefor Sophie needed only to marry a man who had enough money to support her. Rye needed to marry a woman who had enough money to support his estate and all the responsibilities that came along with itincluding the tenant farmers, the servants, the retainers, his mother In short, he needed an heiress of great magnitudeand generosity. Someone he was not likely to meet at this rural assembly.

Only in London

Not that it was any sure thing, even if he somehow got to the city with enough brass in his pockets to make an impression during the Season. Sophies beauty would draw the attention of any man, making her a bargain well worth having, despite her lack of a dowryif only she could be brought to their attention. But Rye possessed nothing more than ordinary looks, along with a ticklish sense of humor. Neither attribute was likely to win over the sort of young woman who had a large enough fortune to take her pick of the Marriage Market. And he was still quite young for a man to be settling downso the chits might not even take him seriously.

Not that he was about to discuss his situation with some elderly lady.

As if the old woman had read his mind, she reminded him, You have a title.

So do many other men, maam.

And many a woman covets one and is willing to pay for it. Her beady eyes rested on him for an uncomfortably long time, and then she said, I like the look of you, Ryecroft. She dug into her reticule and handed him a pasteboard rectangle. If you get to London, look me up in Grosvenor Square. Id like to see more of you.

Ryes hand closed convulsively on the visiting card. Surely she didnt meansurely she couldnt mean that she was one of those women who coveted a title and was willing to pay for it. She was olderfar olderthan his mother was, by Jove!

Her laugh sounded rusty. No need to leap into the boughs, my boy. I know an heiress or two. Thats all I meant. Come and see me, and Ill introduce you.

She set down the punch cup and walked away. She was spry for her age, Rye notedthough in fact, she might be anywhere from sixty to eighty, for he was no judge of such things. If shed been a horse, now, then hed have had a pretty fair guess.

He looked down at the card. Lady Stone, it said in neatly engraved type. Tuesdays.

So she already had a title, and her address on Grosvenor Square was in the most fashionable section of Londonand she was at home to callers on Tuesdays. And she knew an heiress or two and would present him. That might improve his odds.

Not that he was foolish enough to count his chickens. It would take a fortune of massive proportions to rescue Ryecroft Manor, and there werent many of those lying around for the choosing, even in London. But it was worth a try.