Page 56 of The Beauty and the Boxer
“Not if you fancy him. If you fancy him, youshould dance with him several times, so other gentlemen will knowthat you’re spoken for.”
Meredith gave her a pained smile.
“Who told you that?”
“Everyone knows that,” Dawn said,matter-of-factually. “How else can we ladies expect to get ahusband?”
Husbands. Marriages. Meredith sworesilently. It was the only thing young ladies were taught to hopefor, to work towards and it seemed rather unfair in that moment asMeredith sat there, staring into the young face of an enthusiasticyoung lady. Thinking back to what Jack had said, that everyone hassomething that they’re passionate about, Meredith wondered whatDawn’s was.
“Dawn, if I may, what besides husbandhunting do you find interesting?”
“Interesting? You mean, something likesewing or painting?”
“Not quite,” Meredith said gently. “Is thereanything that commands your entire attention when a topic isbrought up? Something you can’t help but think about when it’smentioned?”
Dawn gave her a peculiar look, before agentle blush came to stain the bridge of her nose. She glanceddown.
“Oh, well, I suppose there is, but um … Mamatold me it wasn’t appropriate.”
Meredith’s brows went up.
“Oh, now you must tell me.”
Dawn moved her head back and forth,observing to make sure that others weren’t close by and she andMeredith were alone. Taking a deep breath, she leaned forward andbrought her hand up to curve around her mouth.
“Entomology,” she whispered into Meredith’sear.
Meredith frowned, unfamiliar with theterm.
“Entomology? Is that some science? A branchof geology?”
“No,” Dawn said, leaning back as shecontinued. “It’s the study of insects.”
Meredith’s face froze as she stared ather.
“Bugs?”
“Insects,” Dawn corrected her, smiling.“I’ve asked Mama several times if I may join the Royal EntomologySociety in London. They allow women, you know, but she insists itis a question I should ask my husband. When I get a husband.” Shesighed and gazed about the room. “So, I am in search of ahusband.”
Meredith frowned.
“But I don’t see why you would need to askyour husband permission.”
“Well, ladies aren’t supposed to enjoy suchsilly studies, as my mama says. She thinks I should push it out ofmy head. But when I kept asking, she said it was something I shouldask my husband—”
“Dawn, dear, did it ever occur to you thatyou might find a husband who shares your interest instead ofmarrying someone who doesn’t know your genuine likes anddislikes.”
Dawn’s face scrunched up as if she wereseeing the sun for the first time.
“You mean, marry someone who likes the samethings as me?”
“Yes.”
“Fascinating,” she said quietly to herself,and Meredith couldn’t help but smile at her reply. It seemed to beDawn’s favorite word. “And do you think there are gentlemen whowould appreciate my interests in insects?”
Meredith swallowed and nodded.
“I’m sure there are at least a dozengentlemen who are interested in the topic. After all, how couldthere be a society of entomologists without at least a dozenpeople?”
