“Now then, I understand your luggage went astray.”

“Unfortunately.” India nodded, relieved at the abrupt change of subject. “It’s one of the reasons why we are forced to linger in Paris. Although admittedly, we still have not made inquiries at any number of places my cousin might have been.”

“There are few better cities in the world to linger in than Paris.” The marchioness selected one of the almond biscuits India had become quite fond of, took a bite, then considered India thoughtfully. “Are you aware that we are hosting a ball here in a few days?”

A ball? India’s mouth was abruptly dry, and she shook her head. “No one has said anything to me.” But then why would they? She was a guest in the house but not the type one would invite to a ball. “I can arrange to remain in my room while it’s under way.”

Lady Westvale stared. “Why?” Realization dawned on her face. “Oh, I see.” She nodded in sympathy. “We shall have to do something about that.”

“About what?”

“Your clothes, of course.” She considered the pale blue India had chosen for tea and winced. “I understand your chaperone loaned you some attire.”

Of the two day dresses, one dinner ensemble and a gown for evening wear Estelle had loaned her, this one had seemed the least objectionable of the lot. Apparently, not in the countess’s eyes. “Mrs. Greer has been quite kind.”

“Yes, well kindness is one thing—taste is something else again. I dare not ask what kind of evening gown she might have provided.”

“It’s...sufficient.” India wrinkled her nose. It was the worst sort of betrayal of Estelle’s kindness but the gown—somewhere between a brilliant pink and pale scarlet in color—with flounces and ruffles and flowers fashioned from silk, was perhaps the fussiest thing India had ever encountered. Worse, even with Suzette’s expert alterations, it made her look like a stuffed sausage. “I really didn’t anticipate having to wear it.”

“Nor should you.” The marchioness nodded firmly. “This is Paris, home to the finest dressmakers in the world and it would be wrong not to avail ourselves of their services. You and I shall make a day of it tomorrow. We will go to some of my favorite places and have you suitably attired in no time.”

“I do appreciate the offer, Lady Westvale, but I’m afraid that’s not possible.” She drew a deep breath. “I don’t have any money. I’ve lost it.”

“Lost it?” The marchioness cast her a sympathetic look. “Gambling?”

“No.”

She winced. “Blackmail then?”

India bit back a gasp. “Most certainly not.”

“Dear Lord.” Lady Westvale stared. “You haven’t given it to a dashing scoundrel who promises to pay it back when he inherits but then vanishes never to be seen again?”

India’s eyes widened. “I have managed to avoid that.”

“Good. There are few things more foolish than that.” Lady Westvale breathed a sigh of relief. “But I can’t think of any other way you might have lost your money.”

“You don’t understand. I actually lost it. Misplaced it, if you will. I don’t know where it is.” Regardless of how many times India admitted her error in judgment, it continued to sound stupid. “I hid it in my trunk.”

“The missing trunk?”

India nodded.

“Apparently there is something more foolish than being taken in by a handsome stranger.”

“Yes, well so it seems,” India admitted.

“Percival said you were efficient.” The marchioness considered her. “This does not sound the least bit efficient to me.”

“It seemed a good idea at the time,” India said weakly.

“Goodness, my dear.” Lady Westvale shook her head. “When traveling, you should always hide your funds in your boot. Or in a special pocket affixed to your underpinnings. Or, better yet, travel with a gentleman whose job it is to keep track of necessities like money.”

“I shall remember that.”

“See that you do.” She nodded firmly. “Put it in your trunk, indeed.”

India winced.

“However, you misunderstood. I was not suggesting you purchase a new wardrobe.” The marchioness favored her with a brilliant smile. “I intend to purchase one for you.”

India choked again. “But why?”

“You do need to stop doing that, dear. It’s unbecoming and possibly hazardous.” She lowered her voice in a confidential manner. “I was once at a dinner party when a somewhat portly gentleman choked on a bit of roasted quail. Why, he turned all sorts of dreadful colors before the stout woman seated next to him thumped him quite vigorously on the back. Which sent the quail flying across the table, much to the dismay of the person sitting opposite him.” She paused. “Although, if I recall correctly, the gentleman became quite enamored of the lady who had so thoughtfully struck him. One thing led to another, and they were quite happily wed shortly thereafter. Indeed, they delight in telling the story of how they became acquainted when she saved him from imminent death.”

“How...fortuitous?”

“It was that. However—” she gestured in an absent manner “—I have strayed from the matter at hand, which is your need for suitable clothing and my determination to purchase it for you.”

“And I don’t understand why you wish to do so.” India couldn’t quite hide the stubborn note in her voice.

“Any number of reasons. First of all—” she ticked the points off on her fingers “—you don’t wish to marry my son. Regardless of the questionable soundness of your reasoning, you do impress me as being honest. And I am an excellent judge of character. That wasn’t always true but one of the few benefits of growing older is that you do learn a few things along the way. And honesty, my dear, should always be rewarded.”

“Thank you,” India murmured.

“Secondly, one could say that my dear Aunt Guinevere is responsible for your search for the missing Lady Heloise in the first place. Which means it’s her fault your clothes—and your money—are missing. You deserve compensation for that.”

“Still—”

“Furthermore, my husband has a substantial fortune. Even more than I can ever possibly spend, although I do consider it my purpose in life to do my best.” She flashed India a satisfied grin. “Providing you with a new wardrobe is barely worth noting.”

“And it is most generous of you but—”

“And—” she pinned India with a no-nonsense look “—we are having a ball here in five days. As a guest in this house, your appearance will reflect on your hosts. Make no mistake, India, you are expected to attend. Percival and I would be deeply offended and highly insulted if you do not. We would consider it extremely rude. And you do strike me as the type of woman who would not wish to be impolite.”

“No of course not. But...I’ve never been to a ball,” India blurted.

Lady Westvale’s eyes widened. “Never?”

India shook her head. “I’m afraid not.”

“But you do know how to dance?” the marchioness asked cautiously, as if she was afraid of the answer.

“They did teach us at Miss Bicklesham’s.”

“Miss Bicklesham’s Academy for Accomplished Young Ladies?”

India nodded.

“Excellent institution.” She frowned. “But you do not strike me as a typical Miss Bicklesham’s graduate.”

India raised her chin. “Thank you.”

Lady Westvale laughed. “That’s one less thing to worry about. Now then, as for your new clothes, we should make a list of what is absolutely necessary, what would be wise to acquire and what is simply for fun.”

“Lady Westvale.” India drew a deep breath. “I do appreciate your kind offer but I cannot allow you to purchase clothing for me. I would feel obligated to reimburse you, and I’m afraid I will never be able to do so.”

“My dear young woman, I’m afraid you don’t understand. Allow me to explain.” Lady Westvale thought for a moment. “My mother died when I was quite young, my stepsisters were never especially fond of me, and, as my father was always notoriously short on funds, I did not have a season. It was not until I married that I had the financial resources to indulge in things like fine dresses and exquisite shoes and elaborate hats. I quite enjoy shopping now that I have the means to do so. It is a great deal of fun. Indeed, I consider it something of an art, and I am very good at it.

“However, I have two sons and, as much as I love them dearly, I have long regretted not having had a daughter. There is nothing to be done about it now, of course, but there you have it.” She smiled wistfully. “I have always been most envious of those friends of mine who have had the pleasure of shopping for or with a daughter. I would consider it a very great favor if you would allow me to do so with you. And I do promise not to be too extravagant.”

“I see.” India didn’t know what to say. On one hand, clothes had never been important to her before. On the other, Paris—or something—had changed her. She’d begun to wonder if perhaps being sensible and practical and efficient didn’t have to mean she always needed to look sensible and practical and efficient.

“You may give my proposal due consideration of course but I will warn you, I will not accept any answer other than yes.” Her eyes gleamed with excitement. “We shall start visiting my favorite dressmakers first thing in the morning.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible,” India said, ignoring an unexpected stab of regret. “Derek and I need to continue to look for my cousin.”

“Derek is well capable of continuing the search on his own for a day or two,” Lady Westvale said firmly, then sipped her tea. “And it will do you good, as well, to think about something other than the missing Lady Heloise. I can’t imagine this has been easy for you.”

“I am worried. She is my only family, and I do miss her but...” India wasn’t sure why she was saying this, but Lady Westvale wasn’t nearly as intimidating as India had initially feared. She was really rather nice. “It has come to my attention that there may well be things about Heloise I didn’t know. Things I paid no attention to or things she didn’t wish me to know. It’s been something of a revelation, and I’m not sure how I feel about it all.”

“I understand completely.” The marchioness nodded in sympathy. “I doubt that anyone truly knows another person as well as we might think we do.”

“Probably not.”

“Furthermore, things don’t always turn out as we expect them to.”

“I never expected to be in Paris.”

“I would imagine you never expected to be friends with my son, either. You did say you consider yourself his friend?”

India nodded. “I do.”

“How very interesting,” she said thoughtfully. “That you are willing to be his friend, that is. When you’re not willing to consider marriage to him.”

“I thought you understood.” Why would no one leave this alone? India braced herself. “I’m not suitable for marriage to him, and under no stretch of the imagination would I be considered appropriate to be a countess.”

“I do apologize.” Lady Westvale shook her head in a mournful manner. “I had no idea you had, well, a criminal propensity.”

India could barely get out the words. “I most certainly do not! I have never broken any sort of law.”

“Your family then.” Lady Westvale broke off a piece of biscuit and popped it in her mouth.

“My family is most respectable.” Indignation raised India’s voice. “My parents were missionaries, and my cousin is the daughter of the previous Earl of Crenfield.”

“Good, decent people?”

“Without question!”

“Respectable, law-abiding and good is all anyone can ever ask, dear.” She paused. “Then, correct me if I’m wrong, but your only real objection to a match between you and my son is that such a match would not be correct as society sees such things?”

“Yes.” India nodded. “I am not a silly, foolish creature—” in spite of the evidence of her missing funds “—who believes in romantic nonsense. I understand the manner in which the world works.”

“I’ve never been overly fond of the way the world works. I think it’s frequently cruel and often absurd. Tell me, India, do you like Derek?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. He’s quite nice.” She considered the question. “I didn’t think so at first, or perhaps I simply didn’t expect it, but I think so now. He’s very thoughtful of others and treats people with kindness. He helped the professor when he was under no obligation to do so. He’s quite clever. That, too, I did not expect, and saved me from an awkward situation.” At the risk of his own safety. “He has insisted on showing me the sights of Paris in spite of my reluctance. And I must admit, I am enjoying it.” And enjoying as well being with him. “He seems to make people feel, I don’t know, special perhaps. He is respectful toward the professor, engaging him in all sorts of academic discussions. Why, you can see the man practically preen under Derek’s attention. And he flirts outrageously with Mrs. Greer, which I found quite distasteful in the beginning, but she adores it. I’m not sure why, but it’s obvious that she does.