“No.” Moira laughed. “Sheis in search of something to rid me of my freckles.”
Nyle rolled his eyes and settled inthe chair across from Moira. “Is this her punishment because of thebetting book?”
“She’s convinced oncewe’ve taken care of my ghastly appearance, no one will remember.”Moira blinked back tears. She normally didn’t allow her mother’swords to upset her so. Why was she so sensitive today?
Nyle leaned forward and looked Moirain the eye. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with yourappearance. In fact, you are rather pretty.”
“You’re my brother and arerequired to say nice things, on occasion.” Though, when they werechildren such had not been the case. She smiled at the fondmemories of a much more pleasant and less complicatedtime.
“I know your value. And—”he straightened “—I can assure you there is not one gentleman insociety who would ever consider you ghastly, but ratherattractive.”
“Thank you.” Moira smiledand looked down. It was nice to hear, but she didn’t truly believehim. When she married it would be because the gentleman had anestate in Scotland and needed her wealth. Such gentlemen in need ofa settlement usually didn’t have the option of marrying a diamondof the first water.
“Why did you stop by? Itisn’t like you to be here so early, and looking for Mother. Issomething wrong?”
“I am not looking forMother and hoped she was still abed.”
“Why?”
“Ainsely came to see methis morning.”
Moira’s heart skipped abeat at the mention of his name. Oh, why wasn’t he Scottish?
“Apparently there is a newbet in the books.”
Moira sat straight. She did not needthis. Not now. “Why? Who?”
“As you rejected Lydellsimply because his estate is Bath, a bet was wagered with regard toa new gentleman who does not have an estate near Bath. A Mr.Garson, or so I understand.”
“Do you knowhim?”
“No.” Nyle pushed hisfingers through his hair. “What is your objection toBath?”
Moira pursed herlips. How much do I tell him?“It is a lovely place to visit, but I do not wishto live there.” She shrugged. It was better not to tell her brotherof her plans just in case he wished to object. He would be the onemaking the marriage contract on her behalf. Only if it becamenecessary would she divulge her reasoning. Apparently Alvina hadn’ttold him either, or he wouldn’t ask. At least her sister-in-lawcould keep a secret from Nyle when it was begged of her.
“Well, you can’t discounta gentleman simply because of where he lives.”
“I won’t, if the gentlemanis worth considering.” And a gentleman wasn’t worth considering ifhe didn’t live in Scotland.
The front door opened and closed, andMoira could hear her mother. “Please don’t tell her,” she begged ina whisper.
“And ruin my ownday?”
“Nyle, what a pleasantsurprise,” her mother exclaimed as she walked into the roomcarrying a bag.
Her brother stood. “You do haveservants to do your shopping and carry your things.”
“Oh, I couldn’t trustthese purchases to just anyone.” She put the bag on the floor andsettled onto the settee as Nyle resumed his seat.
Mother reached into the bag and beganwithdrawing items. “Rose-water and borax.” She set the bottles onthe table. “It is for the complexion.” Then she removed two moreitems. “Ammonia and muriatic acid for the hair.”
Nyle frowned. “Mother, your hair is alovely shade without even a hint of gray or white as so many womensuffer at your age.”
“I know, dear.” She pattedher chignon. “These are for Moira. If we cannot make it blonde withthese, I have ingredients for a walnut dye to make it brown.” Shelooked over at her daughter. “Anything is better than thatred.”
“Mother, there is nothingwrong with Moira’s hair color.”
“What do you know?” shedismissed him. “You are a man.”
“It is a gentleman whowill be choosing her as his wife,” Nyle pointed out, bringing asmile to Moira’s lips.
“I also purchasedblistering liquid.”
Moira sat forward. “What is thatfor?”
“Freckles,” her motheranswered matter-of-factly. “Once the blister dries, the skin islifted away and the spot will go with it.”
Moira’s hands went to her face. Hermother wanted to purposefully cause blisters.
“Are you insane?” Nyledemanded.
“I hear it works wonders,”their mother defended.
“That, I highly doubt.”Nyle leaned back and folded his arms over his chest. “Severalladies who have tried that so-called cure for freckles have beenleft scarred. Do you really wish to leave Moira looking as if shesuffered a horrible case of small pox on account offreckles?”
“Well, I hadn’t reallythought—”
“No, you didn’t,” he cuther off and reached forward, grabbing Moira’s hand and pointed tothe small scar on her wrist. “This is from a blister she receivedfrom hot water. I don’t want to imagine what that stuff would do toher face.”
Moira glanced down and the scar. Itwasn’t that large, no bigger than the tip of her pinky, and didn’tbother her since it was covered in gloves whenever she was out ofthe house.
“Very well,” her mothersighed. “The apothecary also suggested a mixture of mustard powder,lemon juice, and oil of almonds twice a day.”
“Much safer,” Nyle agreed.“Though still unnecessary. There is nothing wrong with Moira’sappearance.”
“You wouldn’t understand,”her mother insisted before turning to Moira. “Now, up to your room.We have a lot to do before you are ready to be seen in publicagain.”
Moira grimaced and stood. By the timeher mother was finished with her, she wasn’t certain she would everwant to go out in public again.
Gideon nodded to various acquaintancesas he strolled along the grand walk of Vauxhall. This evening hewas sharing a supper box with Jordan Trent and a widow whose nameescaped him. Gideon felt out of place in their company and decidedto take a walk, leaving Jordan and his current ladylove alone. Theywouldn’t even know he was gone and would probably disappear downone of the dark walks before he returned. Lydell was to have joinedthem, but Lydell was no longer on speaking terms with Gideon, asthough it was Gideon’s fault Lady Moira didn’t want to live inBath.
As though summoned by his thoughts,Lady Moira appeared, walking in his direction, along with herbrother and sister-in-law. Now all he needed was for Mr. Garson tomake an appearance. Then his role as matchmaker could be completed,and he would be free to seek out his own entertainment. Perhaps heshould take Jordan’s advice and get a ladylove
