“I didn’t ask you about her to get a listing of her family’s every move,” James said softly.
Graham shrugged. “It’s what I do, remember things. I can’t help it, so you might as well use it. Emma Liston is compromised.”
“Compromised?” James repeated too loudly, rage bubbling up in him unexpectedly at the idea that some other man had touched Emma.
Graham stared at him. “Notphysicallycompromised. I only mean she’s in a bad position. Her dowry is small, the important members of her family do not acknowledge her and her father does nothing to add to her reputation.”
James’s heart rate slowly returned to normal. “Well, none of that means much to me.”
“It should. The girl could benefit if she used anything she knows about your mother against you.”
James shook his head, a flare of defensive anger rushing through him, even though he’d had the exact same concern about her the night of the Rockford ball. “I don’t think so,” he said. “She’s made no secret of her position, nor has she made any attempt to leverage what she knows about my mother into a betterment of her position.”
“Except she’s now invited to your country party. A sought after invitation if ever there was one. People are always angling for me to get them one,” Graham said with an arched brow.
“No, I don’t think so,” James insisted. “She’s invited because Meg has fallen head over heels in friendship with her. And Emma hasn’t been dishonest about her position.”
“What do you mean?” Graham asked. “She told you about her wayward father?”
“No,” James admitted, and was surprised by how his interest was aroused by that new information. “But she made it clear her position is precarious. She even made a joke about my pretending to court her to elevate that position.”
“And you don’t thinkthatwas angling?”
“No,” James said through suddenly clenched teeth. “She was teasing, for God’s sake. I never thought she meant it.”
Graham stared at him, just stared, for what seemed like an eternity. “You want to do it,” he finally said.
James drew back. “Do what?”
“Court her!” Graham said, throwing up his free hand in exasperation.
“I have no interest in courting her,” James barked back. “I have no interest in courting anyone and you know it.”
Graham’s face softened and he said, “James—”
James held up a hand. “We’re not discussing it,” he snapped. “The point is that, yes, Ihavethought of Emma’s statement. I have. Not because I actually want to court her, but because what she suggested, even half-heartedly, could very well help us both.”
“I can see how it would help her—you’re the most eligible bachelor in all of London. If you’re seen paying her extra attention, men will circle. She’ll suddenly be in fashion, just like the way you tie your cravat.”
“I’m not sure it’s fair to compare Miss Liston to a knot in a cravat,” James muttered.
“To some there will be little difference,” Graham said softly. “But I’m more interested in what you think this silly notion could do foryou.”
“You saw how it was at the Rockford ball,” James said. “It’s the first event of the Season and they were already mobbing me. It was exhausting. And it will only get worse, you know. I’ve heard there’s a large group of debutantes this year. Twice as large as last. They’ll all be coming for me.”
“And?”
“And if I am seen as interested in Miss Liston, they may pick another mark,” James explained.
“And when she parts with you to, in theory, entertain a dozen true offers of marriage?” Graham asked.
James smiled. “I think I might be too broken-hearted to even dance this year after she’s gone. Next might even be questionable.”
Graham let out a sigh. “I am troubled by your attitude, my friend. But I am well aware there is no putting you off on a plan once you have it.”
“Indeed, there is not,” James said.
Graham shrugged and a boyish impishness he rarely showed anymore flashed across his face. “And it could be lucrative business for me, as well.”
