“I suppose it would have been unfortunate if they were.”
“Yes,” he agreed with a smile he could not help. “Are yours?”
“Not yet. Although I had . . .” She dropped her gaze, a becoming flush high on her cheeks. “I had hoped to find—someone.”
Ah, so his little Theo was a romantic. “That brings me onto my next point, then.” He waited until she looked up at him again before saying, “I intend to continue the lifestyle I enjoy now, largely.” Alongside the obligations that a wife would necessitate. “And I have no objection if you find . . . distraction elsewhere, as long as you’re discreet.”
A second ticked by, then another, and for a moment, he didn’t think she was going to understand his meaning. But then shock swamped her eyes. “Are you—Nathanial. Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“That entirely depends, but I believe so. And you should know that while I will, of course, want children in time, I have no intention of expecting you to perform any wifely duties at present.”
This time, his name was uttered in a voice of confusion. “Wifely duties?” she said. “What has that to do with anything?”
He sighed. This was not a conversation he had relished, and it was turning out to be just as bad as he had envisaged. “Usually, when a man and woman wed, he visits her bed. I shall make you no such visit.”
Her brow creased. “I see.”
“It is not perhaps a traditional situation, but I think we will get along well enough together.”
“Unless,” she said wickedly, “I hope for romance.”
“I am afraid you will never find that with me.”
“I see.” She pursed her lips in an oddly charming gesture before relaxing into a smile. “Well, if you’re certain you mean it, I shall be glad to accept.”
“I mean it.”
“I can’t think what a sacrifice it must have been,” she continued, her face remarkably straight, “offering for me over all the young ladies vying for your hand.”
“Wretch.”
Amusement danced in her eyes, dissolving the winter into summer warmth, and a lopsided dimple popped in her cheek. “Not a wretch. Your future wife.”
If that wasn’t the most terrifying thing he had heard all day. He ruffled her hair. “You may stop moping now,” he said. “I’m about to visit your father, and all being well, I should have an announcement in the papers tomorrow or the day after.”
“I wasn’tmoping,” she said indignantly as he went to the door. “And Nate—do not be too angry with Papa.”
He raised his eyebrows at her. “Were you not when he arranged your marriage with Whitstable?”
“I was,” she confessed, “but now it has been settled, I don’t see why you should be angry, too. He can’t help it, you know.It’s in his blood, the gambling. Grandpapa was precisely the same.”
As though selling his eldest daughter to the highest bidder because he had gambled away the Shrewsbury fortune was not a good enough reason to be angry. Nathanial said nothing as he left her.
He found the Earl of Shrewsbury in his study, a space, he discovered as he entered, that was both cramped and untidy. The Earl himself, glasses perched on the end of his nose, stood by the fireplace and squinted at a bill in his hands. With a curse, he consigned it to the fire.
“Norfolk,” he said, glancing up and holding out his hand. “Terrific ball last night.”
“I cannot claim credit—my mother was responsible for organising it.”
“Pass on my congratulations, and it’s good to see you out of mourning.” Frowning, as though slightly confused, he gestured to a bottle perched on a small, velvet-topped table. “Care for a drink?”
“Not this time, although you may want to.”
The confusion deepened, and the Earl lowered himself into his seat. “What can I do for you, my boy? If you’re asking about Henry, we haven’t heard anything these past two months, but that’s to be expected. You don’t win the war by writing letters, you know.”
“And Wellington is an exceptional leader,” Nathanial said, knowing how much the Earl revered the famed Duke. “I’m certain he will lead us to victory soon.”
“Ah yes. No doubt of it, that’s what I say.” Shrewsbury poured himself a small glass of brandy and swirled the amber liquid. “Now, what was it you came here to discuss?”
