Chapter 3

"Why do I get the feeling that you've got someone in mind for me already?" Selina asked.

"What?" Lady Milbourne looked surprised. "Why would you say that?"

"I know you, Aunt Vivienne. You're speaking about finding a potential husband when you know that's a conversation I'm not comfortable with. Which means you've got someone in mind who you believe would be perfect for me." Selina put her teacup down and fixed the older woman with a firm stare. "I'm right, aren't I?"

The countess looked like she was going to protest and say otherwise, but then she sighed and finished her biscuit before speaking.

"Alright, I will admit that I do have a person in mind for you…"

Selina groaned.

"Really? I thought I said that I didn't want this to happen."

"It's not me discarding your wishes, Selina…"

"Is it not? Because I'm seeing it differently."

Lady Milbourne frowned.

"Darling, I know you have misgivings about matches or meeting people who might see you in a different light, but you do need a husband in your life."

Selina couldn't believe what she was hearing. Having a husband in her life was not a priority to her, and Lady Milbourne understood that. At least, she thought she understood. Getting to her feet, Selina paced away from the settee.

She ended up by the window, and she leaned against the frame, watching as the gardener trimmed the bushes. The weather was warm, and she could tell that he was sweating profusely, his shirt stuck to his body. The sun was making his bald head gleam.

Despite it being obvious that he was working in tougher conditions while Selina was comfortable inside, she would rather switch places with him right now.

"What is this fascination with wanting me to get married, Aunt Vivienne? I've only just come out of mourning from losing Uncle Christopher. The last thing I want to focus on is finding a husband and getting married."

"You're only two-and-twenty years old, Selina. That's far too young to be on your own."

"That's a strange statement, given that most people would say I'm about to put myself on the shelf at my age."

Lady Milbourne smiled.

"I'm not one of those people who considers someone too old no matter their age. People are allowed to fall in love at any age, and it's far too restrictive to get married so young."

"It happened with you, Aunt Vivienne," Selina pointed out. "You were barely my age when you were married."

"And we were lucky that we were in love before our parents arranged the match. Things would have turned out differently if we hadn't been, and I would be a regretful, sullen woman who didn't care about anything, least of all my husband."

Selina could believe that. Lady Milbourne was one of those people who would make it very clear when she wasn't happy with something. If she didn't care for her husband, it would be plain to everyone around her. They certainly wouldn't have had as many children as they did, either.

Selina knew that marriages made by arrangement were common. In fact, a lot of marriages were like that. Even if the woman chose her suitor, they would still have to be monitored and watched closely by everyone around them. It just made the whole thing feel clinical. Selina didn't like the sound of it; what was wrong with following your heart and enjoying life? It felt like too much pressure.

She would rather do things at her own pace without someone breathing down her neck. And Selina thought that Lady Milbourne would understand that.

"Besides, you're a very wealthy woman now, Selina," the countess went on. "Your uncle knew how to manage his money, and now you're in charge of it."

"You make it sound like I don't know how to deal with money in large quantities."

"That's not what I'm saying. I was merely thinking that you would need a suitable husband to help manage your wealth."

Selina snorted.

"Aunt Vivienne, I'm not completely incompetent when it comes to money."

"I didn't mean it like that, dear…"

"How did you mean it, then? Because it sounds like you believe I need someone to be in charge of the money instead of me." Selina turned to face the older woman and folded her arms. "I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself. I can manage this on my own."

Lady Milbourne cleared her throat and looked chastised.

"I… oh my, this came across really badly, didn't it?"

"It certainly did." Selina sighed. "Aunt Vivienne, I know you mean well, which is why I'm not getting angry about your suggestion, but you need to realize that my situation has been changed, and even if I did contemplate finding a husband it's not going to be so easy with my newfound wealth being a part of my life now."

"But I thought that would make it easier for you to find someone. A wealthy young lady is more eligible."

"That's the problem, though. It might enable me to live without financial hardship as long as I'm sensible with my money, and I can see why that can be attractive to gentlemen. But that's also making it a double-edged sword." She shook her head. "I will have gentlemen approaching me and declaring their love for me, but because of my wealth I won't be able to tell if they're genuine or they're just after my money."

Lady Milbourne's expression was sympathetic as she picked up her teacup again.

"You want to marry for love," she said. "I can see that hasn't changed over the years."

"No, it certainly hasn't. I want a marriage like the one you have, one that my parents had before they died. I don't think it's too much to ask to have someone in my life who wants to be with me because they love me… and not because they can have access to my wealth."

Selina was very aware that she was incredibly lucky with her inheritance. Normally, women didn't inherit anything, and whatever they did have became the property of their husbands. They had to defer to the man in the relationship. If Selina did marry, her husband would take over control of her wealth and leave her with practically nothing to her name.

She wasn't prepared to do that for just anyone. If she did have to consider marriage at some point in her life—Selina couldn't see it happening anytime soon—it would be with someone who she could love and trust to do what was in the best interest for both of them, and who wouldn't dictate what she could and couldn't do with her money.

She was going to need to trust them, and Selina didn't think her judgment was good enough to let anyone near her wealth right now other than her estate manager. He would never steal from her, that much she was sure about.

"I understand your plight very well, Selina. Every young lady with wealth goes through it. But that doesn't mean you can't look and find someone who might actually appreciate you for who you are now."

"Isn't that the same thing as what you were suggesting that I do a moment ago?" Selina asked. She looked back out at the gardener again. "There are days when I wish I were a simple commoner. Then I would have more freedom to find someone who would love me for me."

Lady Milbourne laughed.

"Darling, you would never be able to cope living as a commoner. You're far too stubborn."

"And that's meant to be a bad thing?"

"Doesn't matter if you're wealthy or a commoner, being stubborn as a woman is not a trait most men find attractive."

"Most men," Selina pointed out. "Not all men. And a man might find it an endearing part of my personality. That's when I know I've found a good one."

Before the countess could respond, there was a knock at the door, and the butler came in. He bowed to Lady Milbourne.

"Viscount Thornfield has arrived, My Lady."

"Send him in, Redwood."

Redwood withdrew, and Selina frowned at the other woman.

"Viscount Thornfield? If you were going to have guests, Aunt Vivienne, we could have done this another time."

"No, don't be silly. I always have people coming in and out all the time. You know that's nothing new."

"But Viscount Thornfield? Do I know him? I'm not aware of him."

"I don't believe so. He's only recently come back from the Americas after living in New York and Calgary for a time. It's been a while since he's been in London Society, and I offered to help him get used to life in England again." Lady Milbourne gave her an innocent look.

"You don't mind, do you? I think it would help if he interacted with as many people as possible. American and Canadian Society is not far off from English Society, but it's still different enough."

Selina could see that her friend was meaning well, but she also knew what was going on here. Lady Milbourne had invited her over to introduce her to a gentleman she had in mind. This was a set-up, and it should have made Selina leave the house. She didn't want to be a part of this.

But she had to admire Lady Milbourne's tenacity and sly plan. Selina didn't have the heart to be rude and refuse to see Viscount Thornfield. She might as well stay and see what he was like. This wasn't going to become undying love or anything, but at least it would get her introduced to new people. Selina knew that she couldn't remain a recluse forever, and she had to start somewhere.

Even if her friend's antics were going to drive her mad one of these days.