“Good Lord! How old was he when he asked you to go with him?” He suspected it was more the fellow’s age than where he was taking her that has resulted in her sister squashing things.

“Fifteen. They marry young in the rookeries. His bride was all of fourteen, although I doubt she was actually ever a bride. I suspect they had no ceremony. They might not have even had a license. Often couples simply move in together, declare themselves married, and who is to know different? My siblings will pay for the license of any of their employees who wish to marry. As you can well imagine, they are keen to ensure the children are legitimate.”

“Was it difficult growing up not being so?” He abhorred the thought of her being made to feel less.

“My family made it not matter. Still I was aware that it did. My children will be legitimate, and that’s important to me. As will be their father, a right and proper lord, who can trace his lineage back generations. The wonder of that, to know who came before him.”

He’d always taken it for granted, had actually seen it as a burden, not only to live up to his parents’ expectations, but to the expectations of those long dead.

“Anyway, that’s how I know about this particular theater. Have you ever been to a gaff?”

“I have.”

“Did you enjoy the shows you saw?”

“To be honest, I can barely recall them. But if you enjoy the din in the pub, the rowdiness of a penny gaff should absolutely delight you.”

Her profile was to him, but he saw the slow upward curl of her mouth. Would any lord be able to resist that innocent yet seductive movement? Could he?

“I’m counting on it.”

“If I may be honest, I’m a bit surprised your family doesn’t keep a closer watch over you. Young, unmarried, living alone.”

“They don’t imagine me misbehaving, doing what I ought not because I was ever so good while I was growing up, never got into trouble. I also think they believe having Mick living across the street, able to drop in on me at any time, serves as a deterrent to misguided actions.” That slow upward curl again. “But he is very much preoccupied with his wife. He’s mad about her, you know.”

“I assume you’re hoping for the same level of devotion.”

“It would please me immensely to be so adored, but I am realistic enough to know my dowry will no doubt play a large role in determining my future. I’m trying very hard not to feel as though I’m being sold off.”

He’d never thought of it in those precise terms. “Women have come with dowries for centuries. It’s not an insult to have one.”