In as few words as possible, he explained the predicament they had found themselves in. At the mention of Helmsley’s involvement, her face darkened with angry colour, and she squeezed the rag between her fingers as though it was his neck.
“Someone ought to put the man out of his misery,” she said viciously.
He raised an eyebrow. “How bloodthirsty. Are youquitesure you’re well?”
“Enough about me. Explain to me how you anticipate finding a more suitable husband than a marquess for the daughter of an earl.”
“I presume you haven’t forgotten my reputation.”
She waved a dismissive hand. “All that can be forgiven. But tell me—was this your idea?”
He gave her a disparaging look. “Obviously.”
“And she agreed?”
“Would I be here if she hadn’t?”
She rocked back, eyes wide and a little glassy. “My God. She reminds you of Madeline.”
He scowled, all the more irritated because she was right. “She does not. Andifshe did—only if, mind you—that would not change the fact she dislikes me. And I do not like her. This is a business arrangement.”
Louisa, who had always been able to read him better than a book, raised an elegant brow. “A business arrangement you allowed yourself to be caught up in because she reminds you of Madeline. What is your plan?”
“The fact of the matter is, Louisa,” he confided, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees, “I was hoping you might help me.”
“Help you,” she repeated. “With finding her a husband?”
“Naturally.”
Louisa leant back in her seat and looked at him contemplatively. It was not a look he particularly enjoyed; it usually meant a conclusion he disliked was just around the corner.
“You have met her a total of four times,” she said. “One of which you kissed her—”
“I did not know who she was then,” he said, although that was only true for the first kiss. The second had been done in full knowledge of her identity, and while he occasionally felt a flare of shame, he could not bring himself to regret it.
“You do now. Tell me, Jacob, why do you not just marry her yourself?”
He stared at her. She stared back. Asking her for help had evidently been a mistake. “Because neither of us wants to be married,” he said. “And particularly not to one another.”
“That is all the reason you possess?”
“I hardly need more.”
She threw up her paint-splattered hands. “Why do you need my help? You told Lady Annabelle that you could manage to find her a husband on your own.”
He flashed her a grin. “On my own but with your help. You have more mobility than I, and you can introduce her to a selection of gentlemen who have a chance of being tempted into wanting her for their own. I’ll be there to make them jealous, and you can spread the rumour that Annabelle would be open to another match with a more suitable gentleman.Et voila, the bargain is complete.”
“And if we don’t achieve this momentous task?”
“Well . . .” He paused over his words, contemplating. “She believes that after three months are up, if I haven’t found her a husband, I’ll marry her myself.”
Louisa’s grey eyes widened and she placed a hand over her heart. Then the same eyes narrowed. “You saidbelieve.”
“I won’t, of course. But there’s no need for her to know that. It won’t come to pass.”
“Jacob, you cannot be serious.”
“Have you ever met her?” he asked, hooking his ankle on his knee and accepting the tea she now offered him. “It should be easy enough to pair her off. She probably has the largest dowry in the country.”
