“It had become clear that if I was to get what I wanted, I must take action instead of hoping it will come to me.”

A footman with a tea tray followed them into the room, and Alice began to pour. “You are right. Hope is not a strategy.”

Madeline took her cup of tea and sipped. “It is not, is it?”

Eleanor took the cup her sister handed to her but set it down and went to the desk. “I need to look at our list.” She pulled out the paper.

Like house animals

Like children

Make us laugh and think we are funny too

Be kind

At least moderate intelligence

Want to help those less fortunate and support our work in the same.

Passable looking

Good character

Allow us to be ourselves

Enough wealth to support a family

Love us

“I am adding one more thing. He must agree to the family gathering schedule.” Eleanor added the requirement, then ambled back to the sofas.

“I had not thought of that.” Madeline handed Eleanor her cup of tea. “This will get cold if you do not drink it.”

Alice leaned forward. “How many of the requirements does Lord Montagu meet thus far?”

“Some of them, at least. I am not sure about his sense of humor, or if he would allow me to be who I am instead of some idea of who he would like me to be. And I do not know if he could fall in love.”

“Are you in love with him?” Madeline asked.

“Not yet.” In fact, Eleanor had not given that much thought. “But there are the feelings, and I believe I could fall in love with him.” That reminded her of what she had to tell her sisters about the rest of her conversation with Montagu.

After she had finished, Madeline glanced at Eleanor. “Very promising.”

She was glad her sister had the same idea she had. “I thought so. I am sitting with him this evening at Lady Brownly’s musicale.”

“Perhaps you can find out about his sense of humor. Musical evenings are usually good for that,” Alice ventured.

“Yes, that is an excellent idea.” With any luck at all, Eleanor could test more than his sense of humor. She took the list back to the desk. This evening ought to be interesting.

* * *

John had to force himself to pay attention to the traffic and other distractions as he drove home. Eleanor had stunned him. In a good way. He was actually glad she had taken the conversational reins, as it were, into her own small but clearly capable hands. Her brothers-in-law had been more correct than he could have imagined.

“Watch where ye’re goin’!” A dray driver shook his fist at John.