He cocked a brow at her. “Too strong a word? Will friend and adviser do? After a long talk with my niece this morning, I realized you’re sorely in need of both.”
“She told you!” Roslynn’s voice gasped accusingly. “Hell’s teeth, she had no right!”
“Oh, it was done with the best of intentions, my dear. She wanted to impress on me how serious you are about getting married. Seems to think I have dishonorable intentions toward you. Can’t imagine where she got that idea.”
She glared at him, but it was impossible to keep her outrage alive after that bit of nonsense. Her laughter broke through, rich and delightful.
“You’re a rogue, laddie. Doyounever take anything seriously?”
“Not if I can help it.” He grinned.
“Well, try long enough to tell me why you of all people would want to aid me on my way to matrimony.”
“It simply occurred to me that the sooner you’re married and bored with it, the sooner I’ll have you in my bed,” he answered caddishly.
Anything else Roslynn wouldn’t have believed.Thatshe believed completely.
“A rather long shot you’re taking, wouldn’t you say?” she bantered. “I could fall passionately in love with my husband, you know.”
“Bite your tongue,” he said with mock horror. “No one falls passionately in love these days, my dear, except young romantics and doddering old fools.And you’re going about this thing much too sensibly for that possibility to occur.”
“I’ll concede that point for now. So what exactly are you offering to do for me?”
The loaded question brought a twinkle of amusement to his eyes. “Your situation is not unlike Reggie’s was when she was looking for a husband. Her pressure came from having got through one season, as well as a tour of the Continent, with no luck whatsoever. Through no fault of her own, of course. She had to attend to finding a man my brothers and I could all agree was suitable for her.”
“Yes, I recall her mentioning something like that.”
“Did she tell you how she solved her problem?”
“She was compromised.”
Roslynn was surprised to see him scowl at that answer. “She had nothing to do withthat. It was Montieth’s cheeky idea of a jest on his current mistress that went awry. And we won’t mention that again, if you please. But before then, Reggie had hired an old lord who knew absolutely everyone, and dragged him along with her to every function, as well as on her tour, so with a signal they had worked out together, he could tell her which men she met were worth considering or not.”
Roslynn’s eyes flared. “I hope you’re not suggesting I take you along withmeeverywhere I go, Sir Anthony, because—”
He was quick to forestall her. “Not at all, and unnecessary besides. According to Reggie, you already have several chaps under consideration. As it happens, I know them a damn sight better than Montieth does, since they’re all closer to my age than his. Three of them belong to my club; the fourth frequents the same sporting hall I do. I just have one question foryou, my dear. Why have you discounted someone closer to your own age?”
Roslynn averted her eyes before murmuring, “An older man is likely to have more patience with my faults than a younger man.”
“You have faults? Never say so.”
“Everyone has faults!” she snapped.
“A quick temper wouldn’t be one of yours, would it?”
Her narrowed gaze brought a laugh, but she went on testily. “An older man will be more settled, having sowed his wild oats already. If I am going to be faithful in this marriage, I must insist upon the same from my husband.”
“But you’re not going to be faithful, sweetheart,” he reminded her.
“If I’m not, then I won’t expect him to be. But if I am, I will. Let’s leave it at that. The fact is, it was my grandfather who suggested I find a man with a good deal of experience behind him, and truth to tell, the younger men I’ve met so far haven’t impressed me—well, except one, and him I decided to add to my list.”
“Who?”
“Justin Warton.”
“Warton!” Anthony sat up abruptly, exclaiming, “He’s a mama’s boy!”
“You needn’t be disparaging,” she replied curtly.
