“Miss Bennet.” Lord Matlock stood behind his desk and motioned to a chair. “I am expecting my solicitor soon, but if your business is of a quick nature, we can discuss it. I do not, however, see how we can have any business to discuss, you being a woman and all.”
“I thank you for your time, my lord.” Kitty smoothed her skirt. She had taken care to wear her best dress today. “I assume you, as any good husband would, see to the bills acquired by your wife’s purchases?” She paused for a moment while he confirmed that he did. “I will also assume since I have heard that you are often seen with her in public that her appearance as she stands beside you is of great importance. I mean, one cannot be looked upon as a great man with a wife who is wearing last season’s styles.” Again, she waited for his acknowledgment of the fact. She knew from spending so much time with her youngest sister and her aunt Philips that appearance and appealing to one’s sense of position and popularity could be used judiciously to achieve the desired end.
She tapped the packet of papers on her lap. “I have with me some designs for dresses that I happen to know your wife adores.” She sighed. “I have been considering keeping the sketches for myself instead of selling them to the modiste whose shop your wife frequents. In fact, I stopped by that very shop to collect these just this morning.” She closed her eyes for a moment and rubbed near her eye. “Forgive me, I have a slight headache.”
His eyes had been drawn many times since she entered the room to the gash on her forehead, and they were there once again.
“I know it must look a fright,” she explained, gingerly touching the scar, “but it is in such a place that I was unable to cover it with my hair.” She chuckled softly. “It shall only look worse as it heals, I suppose. Bruises are never pretty.” She smiled and opened her pack of papers. “But we are not here to discuss my beauty or lack thereof but that of Lady Matlock.”
He blinked and turned his attention away from the wound on her head for a moment. “Why should I be interested in designs?”
“Because, my lord, you have the power to decide if your wife will get to wear my designs or if they will be tucked away or, perhaps, provided to another lady.” She flipped through her designs. “She was particularly enamored with this one.” She placed it on his desk. “She would look lovely in it, do you not agree?”
He picked up the sketch and examined it. “How is it that I have this power?”
Kitty’s stomach fluttered, and she was unsure if she had the courage to continue.
Lord Matlock placed the paper back on the desk. His eyes once again found that gash as he waited for her answer.
“You, my lord, have something I want.”
[from His Inconvenient Choice]
