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answered. “I’ll be returning to town directly afterward. Are you ever in London?” she added, looking for a way to ease into her subject.
    Miss Drysdale sighed. “No, though it’s not because I do not wish to be. I expect, however, that until it’s time for Prudence’s season I shall be confined to a rural existence.”
    “You will chaperone her when the time comes?” Antonia asked, a germ of an idea beginning to take root.
    Miss Drysdale hesitated, as if weighing her words. Then with a half smile, she plunged in. “I am afraid that my dear sister-in-law is not quite up to the role. As a result, I am certain I shall chaperone Prudence. Perhaps I shall be forced to chaperone both daughter and mother. Please don’t misinterpret my words,” she added. “For I look forward to that day with utter delight. I can hardly wait for the time when I might return to London.”
    “Perhaps that day is not so far away.”
    As quickly as that, Miss Drysdale’s open countenance became wary. “It would be best, Lady Westcott, if I were frank with you. While your implication is in many ways intriguing, I feel I must tell you that I am not in the market for a husband.”
    Antonia was relieved that she had never been prone to blushing. Instead she wrinkled her brow and frowned at the girl. “Neither am I, and I spend most of my time in town. If you think I am searching out a wife for my grandson—and you do, confess it—well, you are quite wrong. He is not ready, I think, to marry. Perhaps someday, but not yet. No, I did not bring you out here to matchmake you with my troublesome heir. Rather, I would like to offer you a position in my household for the duration of the season.”
    That was clearly not what Miss Drysdale had been expecting, and in the brief pause while the younger woman recovered her composure, Antonia studied her. Flawless complexion. Thick, shiny hair the color of mahogany. Vivid green eyes that sparkled with intelligence. Even as she stared into those eyes, Antonia could see the gears turning in the girl’s mind.
    “A position in your household? What sort of position?”
    “I believe you would be an appropriate person to chaperone one of my late sister’s granddaughters. Valerie is a lovely girl, but she will be a lamb among the wolves in town.”
    “What of her mother?”
    “I’m afraid Lady Hareton will be of no more use in that regard than would your sister-in-law. She suffers from a nervous condition, as she tells it. As a result she is not up to the rigors of society.” And blessed convenient that is, she said to herself.
    “There are no other relatives that the girl would prefer accompany her? No favorite aunt or older cousin?”
    “I am her older cousin and her godmother, and I assure you, she would much prefer a younger and more vigorous companion than myself. Come now, Miss Drysdale. You said yourself that you were anxious to return to London. If you are worried about leaving your family, rest assured, they will survive your absence. Besides,” she added with a wave of her hand. “It will only be for a few months. After that you are free of any obligation to Valerie.”
    Antonia could see the excited light in Miss Drysdale’s eyes., She had her! To be absolutely certain, however, she leaned nearer and placed a hand on the girl’s arm. “I shall consider it a great personal favor if you would agree to my request.”
    Lucy could hardly contain her excitement. Here was the chance she’d been waiting for!
    When they’d come to visit today, she’d hoped to find an interesting woman who might prove to be a pleasant diversion for the few weeks she was visiting. Never in her wildest dreams had she dared hope for so glorious an opportunity as she’d just been offered. She had to restrain herself from leaping up and dancing a country jig around the iron-willed Lady Westcott.
    “I accept your offer,” she answered, quite aware that her huge grin made a mockery of her perfectly sober words.