He inclined his head. "Of course," he agreed.
Jane did not know how much time passed while they talked. She was startled when her aunt interrupted them to announce that it was time to go home. Lord Fairfax rose to his feet and took Jane's hand as she stood up. He bowed over it.
"Good night, Miss Matthews," he said. "I have enjoyed ourtête-à-tête."
Hehadenjoyed it too, Fairfax thought, accepting a glass from a passing footman's tray and sitting down again facing the empty chair that Miss Matthews had occupied. Indeed, the thought that had come to him almost as a joke that afternoon was perhaps not a bad idea after all. Perhaps he should marry Miss Matthews. She was very easy to talk to and really quite interesting if one enjoyed quiet good sense. Certainly time had passed quickly in her company. He could scarcely believe that he must have been talking to her for half an hour.
She liked children and even seemed to share his liberal views about child-rearing. She would probably be able to make friends of his daughters. That would not be difficult with Claire. But Amy was a strange and moody child, difficult to get close to. It was hardly surprising, he supposed, considering the way Susan had neglected her. Yes, really, the idea of marriage with Miss Matthews was an eminently sensible one.
Was good sense a good enough criterion by which to choose a wife, though? Would Miss Matthews not make a dull wife? Married to her, would he not crave someone with more verve and beauty, someone with more sexual allure? No, he really did not believe that Miss Matthews would be dull. She was quiet and sensible, of course, but did those qualities denote dullness? Was not a talkative and vivacious beauty more likely to prove uninteresting in the final analysis? He had found out to his cost in his first marriage that the whole of one's married life is not lived in other people's drawing rooms or ballrooms or even in the marriage bed. There were endless hours to be spent together in the quiet solitude of one's own home, hours during which the craving for real companionship could become quite acute.
He suspected that Miss Matthews might well be able to supply that companionship. Would it matter that she was not what one might describe as a beauty? Was it important that she lacked the power to focus the attention of everyone in a crowded room on her own dazzling person? Was it essential to find one's wife exciting in bed? Anyway, that was impossible to predict. He had certainly expected Susan to be so. He would expect Miss Matthews to be a dutiful wife. At least he would not expect her ever to refuse him as Susan had done each time she was sure she was increasing. And having a regular bedfellow would initselfbe satisfactory even if not wildly exciting.
Yes, he really must consider the matter further. He must get to know her better. At the same time, of course, he could further his acquaintance with Miss Jamieson. They were cousins and lived in the same house. He found the little beauty quite diverting. She amused him greatly. He could not imagine her in his home, it was true, but he would not be averse to amusing himself with her company while he was in London. That pouting little rosebud of a mouth certainly invited kissing.
"You look to be in a brown study, Fairfax," JosephSedgeworthsaid. "MissVyeneeds someone to turn the pages of the music for her at the pianoforte. Now, I'm not a musician, you know, and would be turning pages at the strangest moments. You must come and help out." He lowered his voice. "I believe the females are merely using their wits to lure you closer, you know. Miss Crawley suggested that I come and ask you."
"By all means, let us not disappoint the ladies."
Fairfax said, getting to his feet and smiling in the direction of the small group around the pianoforte.
"He must really like me, do you not think, Jane?" Honor asked anxiously. They were strolling in the park the morning after the soiree. "He was in my company almost all evening. It was becoming almost embarrassing. We will become theon-ditof the town if he singles me out for such marked attention at every function we attend."
"But it is hardly surprising," Jane said. "You have proved very popular, Honor. You must be very grateful at the way the Season has turned out for you. There are several gentlemen who spend a great deal of each evening in your company."
"Yes," Honor agreed, "but who would even notice mere boys like Harry or Peter orAmbie? They remind me of lapdogs. But Viscount Fairfax! Who could fail to notice that he has a preference for me? Oh, Jane, is he not quite divine?"
"Extremely handsome," Jane agreed. "And he did single you out last evening, Honor. I am sure everyone noticed. And I am equally sure that you are pleased that everyone did, and would be quite gratified to become anon-dit."
Honor giggled and twirled her parasol. "You are unkind, Jane," she said. "I am not really conceited, am I? Can I help it if gentlemen flock around me? Do you think he will call today, Jane?"
"I have no idea," Jane said. "You will just have to wait and see."
"Well, perhaps Mr.Sedgeworthwill call to see you and bring the viscount with him," Honor said. "You spent a great deal of the evening with him, Jane. Do not think I did not notice just because I was with Lord Fairfax. And he is a most proper gentleman. Nothing to compare with the viscount, of course, but he does have a very pleasant smile. He would be a good catch for you.Certainly better than that dreadfully dullMr.Faford.You cannot possibly take him seriously, can you, Jane?"
"I have nothing to take seriously," Jane said. "He has not made me any declaration."
"Oh, but he will," Honor said. "I know by the look in his eye. Don't accept him, Jane. You can be quite old-maidish at times, but really you would be most miserable with Mr.Faford. Indeed, I sometimes think he behaves quite like an old maid."
"Now you are being unkind," Jane said, laughing despite herself.
"Really I should be offering up prayers that you will accept him," Honor said, "to be sure that you will not win that wager you refuse to make over Lord Fairfax. He must have spent all of half an hour with you, Jane, at the end of last evening. Had you once glanced in my direction, you would have seen that my eyes sparked green with jealousy. I shall be quite out of humor with you, you know,if he makes you the second Lady Fairfax instead of me."
Jane flushed. "Now you are being absurd, Honor," she said. "You know there is not the remotest chance of such a thing happening."
"He does have two children, remember," Honor said. "Perhaps he is looking for a somewhat older, more mature woman to be their mother."
"And if you think I fit the description, thank you kindly for the compliment," Jane said dryly.
"Oh."Honor looked-stricken for a moment."I did not mean to insult you, Jane. But you are three-and-twenty, after all. And you really are a very sensible person. You never do anything silly or giggle too much in company or use outrageous tactics to attract attention. I'm afraid I do all three." She giggled to illustrate her point. "It all seems to work, though, does it not? I have told Lord Fairfax some shocking lies already, you know. Last evening I told him I was organizing a picnic and he must come. I have been puzzling all morning over how to break the news to Mama. You must help, Jane. Say it is your idea. Then Mama will think it makes perfect good sense."
"Not me," Jane said fervently. "Besides, Honor, in all the time we have been here I have not once heard Aunt Cynthia say no to any of your wishes."
"Oh," Honor sighed, "I do hope he comes visiting this afternoon, Jane."
"So you fancy Miss Jamieson, do you, Fairfax?" JosephSedgeworthteased as they rode their horses slowly through the crowded streets of London. "But then, you always did have an eye for beauty. And of course you have always been able to have your pick of any female you fancied. The little chit was falling all over herself last evening to attract you."
"Jealous, Sedge?"Fairfax asked with a chuckle.
