The Untamed Earl(13)

So Mother had already told her he’d be coming to the ball. “But he is extremely handsome, don’t you think?” Alexandra ventured, trying not to get too excited over her sister’s declaration that she couldn’t care any less about Lord Owen. That was a good start, but Alexandra had to be certain.

Lavinia sighed. “I suppose he’s passably good-looking if you like the arrogant, overly confident sort—which I decidedly do not.” Lavinia flipped over her hands to allow poor Martha better access to her palms.

Alexandra had to bite her tongue to keep from snapping out a reply. Passably good-looking? Was her sister blind?

“He does seem confident,” Alexandra replied calmly instead.

Lavinia sniffed. “Yes, well, he’s been far too indulged by his parents for far too long.”

Alexandra nearly choked. She pressed her hand to her throat. Oh, the irony. But pointing out such a thing to her sister would not only be useless but would also most likely end in a tirade from Lavinia and a severe scolding from their mother for upsetting the delicate flower that was her sister. Instead, Alexandra changed tactics.

“Speaking of liking a certain sort, if you don’t fancy Lord Owen, whom do you fancy?”

Lavinia opened her eyes and then rolled them. “No one. The entire ton is full of ne’er-do-wells and ignoramuses. I cannot possibly imagine whom I’m to marry if the selection is no better than it is at present.”

“You don’t truly believe that,” Alexandra replied, then winced. She couldn’t afford to anger her sister this early in the conversation.

Alexandra glanced at Martha. Alexandra had to credit the maid with a straight face and the patience of a saint. Martha calmly rubbed cream into every inch of her mistress’s hands without so much as blinking an eye. Lavinia preferred a long, leisurely hand massage. Alexandra hoped Father was paying the young woman well. Alexandra made a mental note to slip her some of her own pin money next time she saw her.

“Of course I believe that,” Lavinia replied with a half snort, pursing her lips. “And don’t think I don’t know what you’re about, coming in here and asking questions. You merely want me to choose a husband so that you will be free to marry.”

There was no use denying that. “Do you intend to become a spinster, then?” Alexandra asked.

“Certainly not. But I fully intend to wait until I find the perfect gentleman, though I daresay that task will be easier said than done. I refuse to settle for the first chap or even the fiftieth who comes along, hoping to win my hand. I deserve the best of the lot, do I not?”

Alexandra and Martha exchanged skeptical glances. Alexandra decided to keep her reply to herself. However, her sister had just given her the perfect opening.

“Why don’t you tell me what you’re looking for, and I shall endeavor to help you look.”

Lavinia pushed her perfect nose into the air and seemed to contemplate the question for a moment. “Hmm. I suppose it cannot hurt. You and I do have the same interest in mind.”

Yes. Getting you married off.

“Very well,” Lavinia said. “First of all, I severely dislike any man who drinks. Especially if he drinks to excess. It’s vulgar.”

Alexandra kept her face completely still. Of course her sister disliked drinking. Lavinia hated all fun. “I see,” Alexandra replied simply.

“And he cannot be overbearing. I detest an overbearing sort.”

Takes one to know one.

Lavinia flipped her hands back over, indicating for Martha to proceed with the second coat. “Gambling of any sort is completely out of the question. It’s an absolute abomination.”

“Of course.” Alexandra nodded. That was not news to her; she’d had her own unfortunate incident in which her sister had discovered her gambling—or more precisely, encouraging others to gamble—and raised holy hell. Again, Lavinia was the opposite of fun.

“Cursing and a bad temper are also entirely unacceptable,” Lavinia continued.

Ah yes, only one of them could curse and have a bad temper in Lavinia’s marriage. Alexandra had to smother her smile at that thought.

“I detest dancing,” Lavinia added thoughtfully. “I cannot abide a gentleman who is forever endeavoring to ask me to dance.”

It’s one of my favorite things, Alexandra thought wistfully. “What, specifically, do you object to when it comes to dancing?” Alexandra couldn’t help but ask.

Lavinia flared her nostrils and glared at her. “There are much better things to do with one’s time than dance.”

“Such as?”

“Such as anything!” Lavinia’s voice rose sharply, and Alexandra quickly decided to abandon that line of questioning.