“Very well, my lord. What do you know of Lord Sellerden?”
“Nothing to his detriment.”
“But you know of my mission and whom your aunt recommended. Every one of them is problematic.”
His dark brows rose. “I believe I was on the list.”
“A case in point.”
He actually seemed puzzled.
“You drink,” she said.
“You just rejected Arranbury for not drinking.”
“You, sir, drink to excess. You also molested me.”
“You assaulted me.”
“After you laid hands on me.”
“After you threatened to hit me.”
“Then you manhandled me into your room!” Ariana remembered where they were. They were both keeping their voices low, but someone might come by. “Whatever the rights and wrongs,” she said, turning away, “we would not suit.”
“On that point, at least, we agree. If you think Lady Cawle put together a list of impossibles, you’re wrong. Sellerden may be acceptable.”
His agreement that they wouldn’t suit was almost painful, and him thinking unmet Sellerden might suit her irritated her. Or perhaps her underlying distress came from his presence, here in shadowy privacy, so close....
She waved her fan to cool her blood. “Tell me more about Sellerden,” she said, turning back to face him.
“He’s a bit dull, but that’s from my perspective. He’s a decent, good-humored, responsible gentleman with large estates.”
“Positively ideal. Where’s his seat?”
“Cheshire.”
“A long way from Hampshire.”
“Don’t let such a detail deter you.”
He truly was urging the case of another man. But that was good. He was correct in saying that they would not suit. “I look forward to meeting him,” she said with an enthusiastic smile.
He captured her fan and plied it for her. She had no idea why she allowed him to do it, or why she was looking into his eyes.
“Are you truly going to marry in order to force your brother to the altar?”
“If Lady Cawle has told you all, you know the answer is yes, and why.”
“Give him time. He’ll fall in love and manage the business on his own.”
You haven’t.Thank heavens those words didn’t escape. “Not all men do, and not so young.”
“There are so many bachelor pleasures.” His purring tone was positively wicked.
She made sure her tone was brisk when she said, “Yet most men with estates to consider pay attention to their duty.”
“As your brother will. Give up your plan.”
