They filed out of the study, and he saw a bit of white cloth whisk around a corner. Her father was right. When the time came, she would lead the gentleman on a merry dance. A vision came to him of a young girl with golden hair playing hide-and-seek in the same way as Lady Vivienne did. Every gentleman here had spirited children. And John liked them all. He hadn’t wanted his life to be complicated, but it appeared it might have to be if he wanted the future he was beginning to think he did.

* * *

Aurelia settled back against the soft velvet swabs of her town coach and smiled. “That went well.”

“Do you mean the part with Montagu or the part with Lady Eleanor?”

“Both.” There had been many times Aurelia had been grateful she had married Marc. This was especially so when he entered into her schemes. “Lytton told me John has joined a group of gentlemen who are working on mine reform.” Thankfully, that had dovetailed nicely with Lady Eleanor’s interest. “For the most part, the gentlemen are also known to have familial connections to Lord and Lady Worthington, and to have wives who are forces to be reckoned with in their own right.”

“It is certainly true Lady Eleanor appears to fit that mold.” A line formed across Mama’s still-smooth forehead. “The real difficulty is to make Montagu realize that he wants the same type of lady.”

“I agree. However, having met a few of them, it is safe to say that the gentlemen dote on their wives. I think that example might cause a seed to take root in my brother’s mind.”

Mama sighed. “I do hope you are right, my dear. I would greatly dislike having a stupid daughter-in-law.”

“Or sister-in-law.” Aurelia thought it was a pity that John had not been on the Town or in enough of the right company to see the benefits of having an intelligent and capable mate. “I have never understood the idiocy of gentlemen thinking they want a docile wife, or of parents trying to make young ladies hide their gifts.”

“Sadly, I do not believe that will change anytime soon.” Her mother’s tone held the disgust Aurelia felt. Unfortunately, it was not the opinion her mother held when she was a young lady.

“Be that as it may, I and others like me do not have to raise daughters or sons to behave conventionally.”

“No, you do not.” Her mother glanced at her. “Do you have a plan that reveals to Montagu and Lady Eleanor that they have a similar interest in the mines?”

“Not yet. I am sure something will come to me.” On the other hand, it might be better if they discovered it on their own. “I do wonder if one of us should tell John that we do not think Lady Eleanor is the right lady for him.”