condolences. Iâm so sorry for your loss.â
âMy loss?â Mr. Humphrey blinked at her, his small mouth agape.
âYour great aunt, sir. Iâm sorry for her death.â Especially since it was the poor womanâs departure from the world that had caused Mr. Humphrey to be invited to this party.
âOh.â He nodded, but failed to look at all sorrowful. âYes, it was very sad, but she was quite old. She had over eighty years in her dish; everyone said it was just a matter of time.â He leaned close again; Ellie kept from leaning away only by the most determined exercise of will.
âMany thought my cousin Theo would get her estate, since it was widely believed Aunt Theodora favored his mother over mineâAunt Winifred even named Theo Theodore to curry favorâbut all Theo got was a collection of china cats. I believeâand Mama agrees with meâthat old Aunt Theodora finally got sick of Winifred toadying to her and hit on me because she hadnât seen me or Mama in years, though of course if Iâd known Iâd have a chance at her estate I would have visited, but perhaps it all turned out for the best, donât you think?â
âEr, yes.â For Mr. Humphrey; not for poor cousin Theo.
Perhaps Mr. Cox would appear in the drawing room soon; even a noble sprig would be better than this wretched weed.
No, no, no! She could not rule out Mr. Humphrey so quickly. He might merely be an acquired taste. The house party was just beginning. She would reserve judgmentâor at least try to.
Mr. Humphrey tugged on his waistcoat. It was hard to imagine the man was only twenty-five; he was already going to fat. âSo of course when the Duchess of Love extended this invitation, I accepted immediately. Her grace is such a successful matchmaker, you know, and it will be so much more efficient to obtain a wife now without having to waste time and money on a Season.â His nose twitched again, this time clearly in distaste. âYoung girls can be so silly, having their heads turned with balls and fancy clothing, when their real duties in life are to bear children, keep their households running smoothly, and see that their husband is well cared for, donât you agree?â
âEr, yes.â Sadly, she did agree.
Mr. Humphrey pushed his spectacles back to the bridge of his nose. âSplendid. I could tell you were a sensible woman the moment I saw you, Miss Bowman, and while I know itâs too early to speakââ
Good God, the man wasnât going to propose now, was he? It was one thing to admit to practicality, but quite another to dispense with even the slightest whiff of romance.
ââbut I must say youâve given me reason to hopeââ
âSir, weâve just met!â
ââthat you will make me the happiest ofââ
âMr. Humphrey!â He was like a runaway horse.
ââmenââMr. Humphrey smiledââshortly.â
She must remember she couldnât afford to be choosy. She wanted children; her window of opportunity was fast closing. Mr. Humphrey was willing and male.
And she wasnât that desperate. She hadnât even met Mr. Cox. âMr. Humphrey, you presume too much.â
âAh, yes, I know. Itâs early days yet.â He winked one of his squinty, little eyes at her. âAs long as we understand each other.â
âWe do not understand each other!â Ellie took a deep breath. She must remember she did not want to burn any bridges. Mr. Cox might be worse. âI mean it is indeed early daysâfar too early for meâor either of usâto have formed an opinion about ... anything.â
âOh, I donât know.â He gave her a very odd look which in another man she might describe as a leer. âI like what I see. And you?â
âMe?â
He pulled on his waistcoat again. âDo you like what you see?â
âAh.