Aye, he knew well enough by this point what he wanted wasn’t to be found here. Or anywhere. James shoved the locket back into his pocket and took up his drink, swirling the amber contents around the glass.
“James dear…” She sighed, reaching between them to take his hand with a gentle squeeze. “You are looking for perfection. That’s what doesn’t exist. Not in any woman. Not even my own daughters. Eve, for example, might be sharp as a tack but she’s also stubborn and contrary. Too prim for her own good after what Shaftesbury did to her. Only with Francis has she been able to find balance, to give as good as she gets. You must put such expectations out of your head or you’ll never settle on a wife.”
“Indeed, that is why I have put the pursuit of a wife behind me,” he said. “I know now that what I want isn’t out there.”
“But it is, James,” she protested. “You mustn’t give up. While there may be no such thing as a perfect woman, there is a woman who will be perfectforyou.
Inspiring words, but James didn’t believe them for a moment.
“You’ll see. When you fall in love, she will be perfect to you.”
What balderdash.
Now she was just spouting nonsense. But it was nonsense she believed wholeheartedly. James knew despite any declarations he might make about giving up on finding something so elusive as love or even selecting a wife who would do, Maggie would never cease her matchmaking. She would force more “opportunities” upon him to find that imperfect someone who was perfect for him until he had a foot in the grave.
As far as he could tell, he had two choices. The first was to leave the Preston home and perhaps New York entirely. Something James didn’t want to do. He hadn’t sought a home of his own yet because he loved Maggie dearly and enjoyed her friendship. The alternative had been either the engulfing silence of his own company, or replacing hers with the mindless nattering of schoolgirls or other social drivel. The latter was bad enough but the threat of the first chilled him.
Bloody hell, he didn’t want to be alone in life. He’d had enough of that already.
The second choice was to convince her that he was making a marked effort to see her hopes through to fruition.
So, what if he were to take Mrs. Eames up on her offer, after all?
No, Maggie might not have faith that such a pursuit would result in her ultimate goal…that being marriage. She didn’t believe Prim would even have him.
But then, she also knew well enough that the MacKintosh men never backed down from a challenge or a dare.
Aye, it might just be enough, and in the process, he would solve Prim’s problem and his own.
James laughed inwardly. Wasn’t that just what she had said?
CHAPTER 9
What would men be without women?
Scarce, sir… mighty scarce.
~Mark Twain
The residence of Mrs. Primrose Eames
East 72ndStreet between 5th& Madison
New York, New York
The following morning
“Shane, really. Must I remind you again that you’re not my keeper?”
“Someone has to be.”
Prim set down her fork and reached for her teacup with a deep, calming breath. Shane continued to help himself to her breakfast sideboard, heaping his plate with sausage and toast. Oblivious to the temper he was rousing in her.
“Why? Why is that?” she asked. “Have I proven to be dangerous to myself or others?”
“There is danger in the waters you’re treading, Prim,” he said, tucking into his repast with enthusiasm. “Whether you see it or not.”
She’d already gotten an earful from her father-in-law the previous evening before Shane had escorted her home. Shane, as had become his habit, spent the night rather than returning to his own home. So that he might once again take up their tedious squabbling? As if repetition alone would change her mind? Now this? There was no part of her that wanted to hear more about how being seen “consorting” with a man like James MacKintosh could hurt her reputation.
