“I am pleased you have asked this question. You are a woman who works for her bread, Mrs. Lombard. Perhaps you might not be aware of the habits of the upper class?” She smiled and nodded rather than clutter up their conversation. “I was not aware of it myself, you see. But I began to notice a certain point beyond which I could not progress when it came to business negotiations. The barrier was invisible to me and, I will admit, as a man who is often incapable of recognizing nuances, I was unable to discern the problem. It was my business partner Declan McElroy who explained it to me.”

“I see. And Mr. McElroy speaks as a representative member of that class you wish to, er, penetrate?”

Gareth stared. “What? Declan? No, he is Irish and possessed of a great dislike for the landed classes of both Britain and Ireland. However, having spent a great deal of time in close proximity to such people he advised me to purchase land and construct a suitable house and also acquire a wife from the ranks of the aristocracy if I wished to penetrate the invisible barrier.”

“That seems a sound plan.”

Gareth liked this woman more and more. He had half-expected some fatuous exclamation as to the cold-hearted nature of his decision.

“You have built a fine house and the setting will soon flatter the house. You have only to acquire your bride. Tell me, Mr. Lockheart, if I were to take on this commission would I find myself joined by a Mrs. Lockheart within the next few months?”

Ah, that was the question. Gareth picked up a biscuit, a sandy looking thing studded with bits of nuts, and then put it back down. “No, I have not yet begun my foray into the area of matrimony. I had thought to begin such a search when Rushton Park was completed and I might have something to offer a wife.”

“Why, Mr. Lockheart, that sounds almost romantic.”

Gareth blinked. “It does?”

She chuckled at his perplexed response and set down her empty cup and saucer.

“Ah, I see. You are jesting. I’m afraid I lack a sense of humor, Mrs. Lombard, or so my friend McElroy often claims.”

“If that is indeed the case I must point out it has not held you back.”

Gareth couldn’t help feeling pleased by her indirect praise. “That is an interesting observation, Mrs. Lombard. I believe I will repeat it to Mr. McElroy when he next laments the fact.” She laughed and he permitted himself a small smile, not that he believed he had said anything witty. Still, it was a rarity to converse with a woman and even rarer to make one laugh.

He cleared his throat. “Now, if I might lead matters back to our original conversation.”

***

Serena could not recall ever sleeping so well in her life. She could only assume it was the mattress, which appeared to be made from some substance similar to clouds of silk. She lay in her heavenly bed and stared up at the shirred celestial blue canopy above, slowly reconstructing the events of the prior evening.