One: She could not marry, or else she wouldn’t receive her inheritance.
And two: Lord Berkeley was the catch of the Season. The likelihood of him seeing potential for a romantic relationship between them was laughable. Even if he did, she knew enough about the workings of Society to know that she would be labeled a fortune hunter, a social climber, and all other sorts of derogatory names. Names that would then attach to her children and...
And ultimately, it was not worth her time to even think on it. By all accounts, a relationship with Lord Berkeley was not plausible.
It was better for her to reach for opportunities actually within her grasp. Security for her future was more important than chasing romantic dreams. And that meant forgetting the heir to a marquessate and focusing on making her own way—with her grandfather’s inheritance and a future of her own choosing.
Chapter 18
Lucas’s eyes strayed back toMiss Faraday. He had been struggling to keep them from her all day, but after Lady Teresa had pulled him aside and asked if the gossip was true that there may be a future alignment with Miss Faraday, it was imperative that he stop showing her so much attention.
And not just because of the potential gossip. He was walking a precarious line with his emotions. Ever since meeting Miss Faraday, his emotions had been boiling closer and closer to the surface. Memories of Marietta were more plentiful, and he felt increasingly out of control.
He did not like losing control.
“Why exactly is your brother courting Miss Faraday?” James leaned against a tree beside Lucas, gesturing to the remainder of the party gathered on the blankets before them. Lucas had stood on the pretense of stretching his legs, and his friend had followed.
“I think it must be obvious.”
James raised his brows at Lucas.
“She is accomplished, beautiful, and well-appointed as the ward of a baron. My brother could do far worse. Certainly, he could not do much better.” If Lucas were one to show emotion, those words might have dripped with bitterness. In that way, his years of practice were serving him well.
“You misunderstand me. I am wondering why your brother is courting her when you so clearly wish to.”
Lucas froze. “I do not know what you mean.”
“I’ve always taken you for the smartest of us. Do not disenchant me now.”
“I am merely helping my brother make a match that will serve him well.” Lucas’s jaw was so tight as he said the words that they struggled to even get out.
James laughed. “You remember my bungled attempts at marrying Kate?” His eyes followed his wife’s movements as she stood to get a drink.
“They would be hard to forget, considering that you started the attempts with deceit.”
James lifted his brows as if to sayexactly, but Lucas could not see why. Lucas was not being deceitful in any way. Nor was he attempting to marry Miss Faraday. Something jerked in his midsection at that thought, but he pushed it aside. “Once Charlie is settled, I might think seriously about marriage. My father has asked me to.”
“Not your mother?”
“Well, yes, but that is a regular occurrence. This request from my father is new.”
“Does he have reason?” James turned more fully to Lucas, arms crossing.
“He wishes to have me take on more responsibility with the estate and wants me to be married when I do. For various reasons.”
James nodded, mulling the information over. “You seem unsurprised.”
“I was quite surprised, but I’ve come to terms with it.”
“Do you have anyone in mind?” James’s eyes slid to the party in front of them, and Lucas purposely did not follow his gaze. He could not poach the woman his brother was interested in, not that he had any desire to.
Though the idea elicited some sort of reaction in him.
“I had thought to draw up a list of candidates.”
James cleared his throat, eyes back on Lucas. “That is...”
“Smart?”
