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of it, Grandfather. Ravenwood is definitely not the
    romantic sort. He has called here at Chesley Court only a handful of times and
    we've been invited to the Abbey on merely two occasions.'
    "I've told you, he ain't the kind to waste time on frippery matters," Lord
    Dorring said, obviously feeling obliged to defend another male. "He's got
    estates to see to and I hear he's involved in some building project in London.
    The man's busy.'
    "Just so, Grandfather." Sophy hid a smile. "But to continue, the second reason
    the Earl finds me so suitable is my advanced age. I do believe he feels that any
    woman who finds herself unmarried at this point in her life should be
    everlastingly grateful to the man who was kind enough to take her off the shelf.
    A grateful wife is, of course, a manageable wife."
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    "Don't think it's that so much," her grandfather said reflectively, "as it is he
    thinks a woman of your age is bound to be more sensible and levelheaded than
    some young twit with romantic notions. Said something to that effect this
    afternoon, I believe."
    "Really, Theo." Lady Dorring glowered at her husband.
    "You may be right," Sophy said to her grandfather. "Perhaps he was under the
    impression I would be more levelheaded than a seventeen-year-old girl who was
    just out of the schoolroom. Whatever the case, we may assume my age was a factor
    in the Earl's decision. But the last and by far the most important reason he
    chose me, I believe, is because I do not in any way resemble his late wife."
    Lady Dorring nearly choked on the poached turbot that had just been put in front
    of her. "What has that to do with anything?"
    "It is no secret the Earl has had his fill of beautiful women who cause him no
    end of trouble. We all knew Lady Ravenwood was in the habit of bringing her
    lovers to the Abbey. If we knew it, you can be certain his lordship did, too. No
    telling what went on in London."
    "That's a fact," Dorring muttered. "If she was wild here in the country, she
    must have made Ravenwood's life pure hell in town. Heard he risked his young
    neck in a couple of duels over her. You can't blame him for wanting a second
    wife who won't go around attracting other males. No offense, Sophy, but you
    ain't the type to be giving him trouble in that line, and I expect he knows it."
    "I wish both of you would cease this most improper conversation, " Lady Dorring
    announced. It was clear she had little hope she would be obeyed.
    "Ah, but Grandmother, Grandfather is quite right. I am perfect as the next
    Countess of Ravenwood. After all, I am country-bred and can be expected to be
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    content with spending the majority of my time at Ravenwood Abbey. And I won't be
    trailing my paramours behind me wherever I go. I was a total failure during my
    one season in London and presumably would be an even greater failure if I went
    out into Society again. Lord Ravenwood is well aware he will not have to waste
    time fending off my admirers. There will not be any."
    "Sophy," Lady Dorring said with fine dignity, "that is quite enough. I will
    tolerate no more of this ridiculous conversation. It is most unseemly."
    "Yes, Grandmother. But has it escaped your notice that unseemly conversations
    are always the most interesting?"
    "Not another word out of you, my girl. And the same goes for you, Theo."
    "Yes, m'dear."
    "I do not know," Lady Dorring informed them ominously, "if your conclusions
    regarding Lord Ravenwood's motives are accurate or not, but I do know that on
    one point, he and I are agreed. You, Sophy, should be extremely grateful to the
    Earl."
    "I did once have occasion to be grateful to his lordship," Sophy said wistfully.
    "That was the time he very gallantly stood up with me at one of the balls I
    attended during my season. I remember the event well. It was the only time I
    danced all