“Not every man appreciates such a thing in a lady,” Louisa said softly, almost wistfully.
Rowan wrinkled his brow. “I would not be interested in a stupid wife.”
Louisa’s eyes went wide. “Are you considering taking Sophie towife?”
Rowan swallowed. He hadn’t really said that thought aloud yet, though he’d obviously been considering it thanks to his financial situation. Now that the words were on the wind they felt like a collar pulled too tight around his neck.
“Your pale face tells me volumes,” Louisa said when he was silent for too long. “You know I’ve always liked you, young man. I will not lie and say that I haven’t thought you would make my Sophie a good match.”
Rowan blinked. Here he’d thought he was stepping into almost enemy territory. “I-I am shocked,” he admitted. “YourSophie has never seemed interested in me.”
Louisa shrugged. “She is…fearfulof what she thinks love is. But her lack of interest could change, I think. With the right man.”
“By the way you are looking at me, it seems you think I might be that man.”
Louisa inclined her head slightly. “Perhaps. I hope so, I admit, for both your sakes. Are you interested?”
He nodded slowly. “I…am.”
“Good!” Louisa’s face lit up. “Then I am going to give you some information that will put you ahead of the pack of mercenaries who are currently trodding all over my niece’s feet and trying to convince her to overlook their lesser qualities.”
“Information?” Rowan repeated, completely astonished by this turn of events. “Please, I am fascinated.”
Louisa looked over her shoulder, as if she were checking for spies, then whispered, “The reason Sophie is saying yes to every fool who approaches her is because of me.”
Rowan wrinkled his brow as Louisa then explained a shocking challenge laid out to her niece. When she leaned back in her chair, he stared at her in utter shock and disbelief.
“So shemustsay yes to any offer that comes her way,” he repeated, trying not to let his mind wander to the wicked thingsthatwould allow.
Louisa twisted her mouth. “Within reason. She doesn’t have to accept any marriage proposal she doesn’t truly desire. And of course she wouldn’t do anything…untoward.”
Rowan clenched his fists at his sides. It was hard not to picture the lovely Sophie doing quite a few untoward things in that moment. “Why tell me this?”
“Because if you know, you may take advantage of the situation,” Louisa said. “Use it to get past Sophie’s walls, to get to know her. To allowherto know you. After that, it would be up to you two to see where it went.”
Rowan considered the facts. Louisa had no idea of his financial motive when it came to Sophie. A deception that didn’t feel very good when she was looking at him with such hopefulness in her stare.
But Sophie could solve his problems. And theycouldbe a good match.
Louisa had certainly opened a door with this secret.
“Does she know you’re telling me this?” he asked.
Louisa burst out laughing. “Gracious, no! And I expect you will not tell her, nor anyone else, about this. But will you use what you know?”
He thought again of his mercenary needs and sighed. “I wouldn’t be opposed.”
Louisa clapped her hands together. “Most excellent! Then I would suggest you find yourself an invitation to the Applegate ball tomorrow. Sophie will be there.”
“You don’t think I should press my suit today?” he asked.
“She needs a day off from gentlemen,” Louisa explained. “Andyouneed time to plan your attack.”
Rowan shook his head. “You sound as though I’m about to enter into a war with her.”
Louisa arched a brow. “Darling, don’t you know? Love is a war. But I’ve given you all the tools you need to win. I just hope you’ll utilize them well.”
Chapter Four
