“And not hold anything back?” he asked.
“Nothing held back.” She nodded. “Even if it not something you wish to hear. However, I do not want to say something that might hurt or insult you.”
“But this is precisely what I hope you will do. An honest opinion can never be an insult, Harry. Do not remain silent out of politeness or tact. Tell me exactly what is on your mind. I need that. Everyone else only tells me what they think I want to hear. Will you be my eyes and ears during this party?”
Now she understood. “You want me to spy on the young ladies who hope to marry you? That is awful. I would feel like a rat.”
“I phrased it badly. Not spying. But you will be in their company and might hear things they would never tell me to my face. Marriage is a dangerous business. Am I a fool for wishing to find a wife who has a good and compassionate heart? Who actually likes me? Hopefully, who will grow to love me?”
“Your Grace, may I be truthful starting now?”
He nodded.
“You are an extremely handsome man. It cannot have escaped your notice how eagerly women respond to you. You have only to look in the mirror to see how exceptional you are.”
He laughed. “You think I am handsome?”
“Heavens, yes,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “But more important, you have fine qualities. Of course, this is only a first impression since I have just met you today. However, I also know what George has told me.”
“I’m curious,” he said, crossing muscular arms over his chest. “What are my fine qualities?”
Other than his exquisite good looks?
She had already made a cake of herself by revealing her thoughts.
Why would he care about her opinion of him when she had already proven herself to be a goose, just as silly as all the other women who swooned over him? But she gave thought to what George had told her. “You are compassionate, so I understand why you would seek a wife with that same quality. Especially when you have so many people who work for you relying on your goodness. You know how to be a true friend. You are scholarly.” She motioned to the books that filled his mahogany bookshelves. “Your estate seems to be well run, which means you are also clever and have business acumen. There are many lords out there who may have good looks but are fools.”
“Too many of them,” he muttered.
“You are not among that lot. These ladies, and I am sure every last one of them feels as I do, will genuinely fall in love with you. I cannot imagine how they could not. You have only to choose the one you like best.”
He looked dangerously appealing as he arched an eyebrow in response to her statement. “You truly believe it will be that easy for me?”
“Yes,” she said with a slight shake of her head.
He cast her a wry smile. “No, Harry. You know very little about theton. Here’s a word of warning for you. Do not fall prey to any of the lords who might show interest in you, for they would only take you on as their mistress, never as a wife.”
She gasped.
“Forgive my bluntness, but it is necessary if I am to protect you while you are in my care. They are all here for one thing, to marry a title or a healthy bank account, or both if they are fortunate enough to attain that golden pinnacle of a titled heiress.”
It all sounded quite mercenary to her. “I doubt anyone will notice me, so I ought to be safe enough.”
They were both now standing, and his face was so close that their breaths mingled. “Here’s where you are wrong, Harry.”
“What do you mean?”
He traced his hand lightly along the line of her jaw. “Do you have any idea how pretty you are?”
CHAPTER TWO
MAX’S VALET HADjust finished attaching his cufflinks to his freshly pressed sleeve cuffs, and was now handing Max his jacket to complete his formal dinner attire, when a bombazine clad whirlwind who was the dowager duchess blew into his ducal chamber with all the subtlety of a gale force storm. “Maximilian!”
“Grandmama, you might have knocked.” Did the woman not understand boundaries? “I could have been standing here naked.”
She ignored the comment. “Who is that girl you’ve placed in the Blue Room? Only our most exalted guests are ever given that bedchamber.”
Max grinned. “Have you met her? What do you think?”
