His father waved it off. “I know that no one is wishing me ill to get their hands on my title. We are all very proud of your accomplishments, Robert.”
“Thank you, sir,” Robert muttered, embarrassed by the turn in the conversation. He hated talking about his small fortune, especially with his family. It was bad enough that the mothers of the ton were starting to take an interest in him and were willing to overlook his reputation as a rake and a bastard in general in the hopes of having their daughters well-settled. Little did they know that it would never happen.
His mother huffed.
“What is it, Danielle?” his father asked.
She gestured to Robert. “He’s done it again, Harold. He distracted us from the problem at hand, don’t you see?” she demanded as she turned her attention back on Robert with a look of determination that actually sent chills down his spine.
“You will stay the entire four weeks that you promised me. I will not accept any sudden emergencies that come up over your estate or any notes from your solicitor. You will be on your best behavior and you will not make a scene and you will do your best to get along with Lady Elizabeth,” she said as her eyes narrowed on him. “And you will promise not to fight at the ball.”
He ground his teeth together. His temper wasn’t that bad. He couldn’t think of any fight he’d gotten into that hadn’t been necessary. His mother just didn’t understand what it was like to be a man. Some things could not be ignored.
“I promise for your sake not to fight inside the ball,” Robert said, choosing his words carefully. No need to break a promise to his mother when he could get around the particulars.
She nodded. “Even so, I think that I’ll keep an eye on you tonight.”
“Is that why you refused to allow me to bring my own carriage?” Robert asked, suddenly very certain that it was the reason why she’d browbeat him into accompanying her tonight. He knew this nonsense about missing him and wanting to enjoy his company during the ride had been a bit much, even for her.
She ignored him as she continued. “If you do not behave and make the best of it so that your brother can find a new wife,” she narrowed her eyes to slits, “I will personally make it my life’s mission to find you a wife.”
“Oh, dear God in heaven,” Robert gasped. It was just the sort of threat that would work. He didn’t want a wife, not unless his brother failed to produce an heir and the job fell to him, leaving him with no other choice.
James chuckled beside him as their father tried his best not to laugh and was doing a fine job of it until he met James’ eyes. He abruptly stopped laughing a moment later and cleared his throat when his wife glared at him.
Two could play at this game.
Robert narrowed his eyes and met her glare head-on.
“You’re bluffing.”
She smiled sweetly, too sweetly for his comfort. “Am I?”
Robert studied her for a long moment before he groaned in defeat. “This isn’t fair,” he complained.
“Too bad.”
Four weeks of balls, dinners, and the bullshit of the ton was not his idea of a good time, but if it meant that it would help get the smirking bastard sitting next to him married and save him from a similar fate, then perhaps he should consider remaining on his best behavior, Robert decided as he leaned his head back, closed his eyes and sighed heavily.
This was going to be a long four weeks.
Chapter 4
Elizabeth forced a smile for the young Earl, who was trying to monopolize her attention. Things hadn’t changed. He’d tried the same tactics last season. The moment he’d walked into the room, he’d given her what she was sure he believed was a devastating smile before he worked the room, avoiding her for the next hour. Every few minutes, his attention would shift to her face to see if she was watching him. She hadn’t been. She only knew of his tactics because Mary kept her well informed.
Mary was the perfect chaperone. She knew absolutely everything that went on around her and had all the latest gossip. Her husband, Anthony, whom Elizabeth absolutely adored as the big brother she never had, kept Mary informed of all the latest information about every eligible bachelor. He was determined to make sure that no rake or fortune hunter got his hands on Elizabeth. He was very protective of her, almost as protective as Mary was.
Now she had to make conversation with Jonathan, the Earl of…well, she had forgotten. He’d tried to court her for three months last year. Every time he’d visited, she’d politely declined his offers for walks, invitations to the theatre, and every other excuse that he could find to spend time with her. They’d danced at almost every ball only because it was polite to do so. He offered and she accepted because she didn’t have a choice.
It was that simple.
“I was wondering if you would care to take a stroll in the gardens with me?” Jonathan asked.
“Now?” Elizabeth asked, trying not to sound alarmed. No honorable man would ask a woman to take a stroll in the gardens at this time of night and especially not in this frigid weather, without having something else in mind. A walk around the room would have been a more appropriate option.
“Yes,” Jonathan murmured with a pleased smile, clearly intent on trying to use seduction to gain her hand in marriage since nothing else had worked. She fully planned on refusing him, but she had to do it without insulting him or face her mother’s wrath.
Thankfully, Mary was on top of everything as usual. She’d already decided with Anthony’s help last year that the Earl would not do. He was a reckless rake and kept mistresses until they became round with his child. They weren’t exactly sure how many illegitimate children he had, but it was at least five.
