“Circumstances brought us together,” Grayson said, without explaining how Kate snuck into his study and shot him.“As you know, I’ve been considering taking a wife for some time now, and Lady Courtland meets all my requirements.”
“Which are?”Raleigh asked, his mouth drawn up in amusement.
“She is intelligent, attractive, and of good lineage,” Grayson hedged, not wanting to reveal too much, even to Raleigh.Even to himself.
Raleigh straightened in his seat.“Lud, that’s a little cold-blooded, even for you.Are you saying you have no affection for the girl?”
“I hardly think that is necessary for a good marriage,” Grayson said, rounding on his friend.“Lady Courtland has a number of admirable traits—honesty, strength, and a poise that defies all hardship.Such qualities are more to be valued than some passing flirtation.”
“Hmm.”Raleigh’s smile returned.“Not a case of opposites attracting, I’ll wager.From the looks of her, she’s got a will to match your own, which should prove a bit uncomfortable for a man who has gotten his way since he was in leading strings.”
Ignoring Raleigh’s foolish prattle, Grayson walked to the windows and stood looking out.“I had thought that we could have a companionable existence together, but…”
“But?”
Grayson turned around.“Now I’m not so sure.”
Raleigh whistled long and low.“Lud, this is serious.The great Wroth having doubts?”
Grayson disregarded the jest and stalked past the desk.“I knew from the first that she was suitable.More than suitable,” he amended.“But she seems to have a peculiar effect upon me, a loss of composure, if you will, that is most unsettling.”
“What’s that you say?”
Grayson turned his head to fix his friend with a meaningful stare.“I’ve been crushing things,” he said, at a loss to articulate the problem, even to Raleigh.He walked back to the windows and stared out.“I’ve lost all finesse, Raleigh.Clarinda wouldn’t recognize me,” he admitted, referring to one of his most famous mistresses.
“Deuced, but this is positively alarming,” Raleigh said, sounding highly entertained.“I fear for your sanity.Why, next you’ll be beating your breast like a gorilla and swinging the gel from a chandelier.”
Grayson frowned at Raleigh’s amusement.“I don’t like it,” he said.
“You’re still the same man.”
“Am I?”Grayson turned to face him.“I wonder.”
Raleigh eyed him soberly.“You’ve been restless, searching for something.Perhaps you’ve found it.”
Grayson did not reply.He had been seeking peace or at least a sort of quiet companionship, not this disturbing passion that threatened his very mastery over himself.
Raleigh sighed.“Well, you’re going to have to marry her now or do some fancy maneuvering.Pimperington’s not the type to ignore a juicyon-dit.He’ll have the news all over Town within the week.”
“I know,” Grayson said softly.He had thought the open declaration would settle his mind, but he still felt unsure about himself—and Kate.
As if reading his thoughts, Raleigh gave a snort of laughter.“And what about your counterpart?She doesn’t look thrilled to be betrothed to the most eligible bachelor in the kingdom.”
“She’s too stubborn for her own good,” Grayson muttered.“Of course, she will marry me.She’ll do what’s sensible.”
Raleigh shook his head.“Not every female will put up with your high-handed ways, Wroth, not even for the privilege of being a marchioness.And this one doesn’t appear interested in your wealth or position—or your considerable physical charms.”He flashed an irreverent grin.
Grayson frowned.Of course, Kate didn’t care about such things; that was one of her most appealing traits.Yet surely she would not refuse his name.And now that he had announced their betrothal, she could hardly deny him.
“She must marry.Her uncle is going through her fortune like water,” Grayson said.“According to my inquiries, he’s been throwing money away on women, gambling, and elegant trifles.He’s in Scotland now, having fled the country after a certain unpleasantness with a lady of quality.”
“He’s not the earl.”
“No, the line died with her father.And while the countess was lovely and sweet, her brother is not.Jasper Gilroy imprisoned the girls here to fend for themselves, without a chaperone, without even proper servants.”
Grayson felt the familiar surge of rage and released a harsh breath.“I would like to kill him with my bare hands,” he said, turning to give his friend a glimpse of his fury.
“Hmm,” the viscount mused.“Better to channel all that excess of emotion into your marriage bed.Less chance of being arrested for murder!I’d say a special license is in order, if the gel’s of age.”
