His expression turned solemn. “The solicitor told me that it was a difficult loss for Arabella.” He sighed heavily. “I wish that I could remember her mother, but then, there were many times before I left for Egypt that I was in my cups a bit too often.”
Ada smiled in understanding. “In my experience, most young men are wont to sow a few wild oats.”
A devilish light lit his gaze. “Was your husband one of those rogues when you met, Mrs. Givens?”
She glanced down at the ground, Archie’s memory assailing her. “No. We were childhood sweethearts. He always said that there was nothing more important than me.”
She felt a gentle hand on her chin. “He sounds like a good man.”
Ada nodded. “He was the very best of men. I shall mourn his loss for as long as I live.”
She could have melted within his dark gaze in that instant. “That does not mean that you must punish yourself because you are here and he is not. You are alive and should live life to the fullest.”
“I wish I could be that courageous,” she whispered. She took a step back. “I will send you my answer by tomorrow about Arabella.”
She continued down the street, steeling herself when it came to the desire to look back.
Chapter 7
Late the next morning, Brandt was in the library attempting to read, but when the butler appeared in the doorway, he lifted his gaze, instantly alert.
“This just arrived for you, sir.”
Brandt forced himself not to jump to his feet and run across the room. Instead, he calmly waited for the servant to approach him. The small white square set innocently upon the silver salver, yet it made his heart pound until he wondered if the organ might leave his chest. “Thank you,” he murmured distractedly as he eagerly saw the flowery script on the outside of the missive. If he closed his eyes, he might even be able to catch a whiff of her scent.
Dear Mr. Clarke,
I have pondered your request at great length since you approached me, and I have decided that I would like to be of any assistance that I can. Miss Jenkins is such a lovely girl, that I’m sure, with a little curb to her personality, she will be quite a wonderful lady, indeed.
Shall we meet at my residence and then partake in an outing to Gunther’s today around 3 o’clock for that sweet ice she desperately wanted? Our first lesson in comportment shall begin then.
Your friend,
Mrs. Ada Givens
Brandt leaned back in his chair and expelled a sigh. There might have even been stars dancing in his eyes, but then, he had never felt this way about anyone else before. The same fascination pulsed through him when he was around Mrs. Givens, as when he’d beheld the pyramids for the first time. Unfortunately, they were both magnificent and untouchable. While he couldn’t change one, he fully intended to use all of his charm to win the heart of the other.
“You’re looking rather pleased with yourself,” his mother said dryly, as she entered the room and sat down across from him.
He couldn’t stop a grin from spreading across his face. It was a good thing that Argyle wasn’t around at that moment, as he would have surely teased him without mercy. “She accepted my latest proposal.”
“Did she?” his mother said with lifted brow. “I suppose you intend to use Arabella to your advantage?”
He gave her a tolerant look. “Don’t act as though she is leverage.” He paused when she gave him a direct glare in return. “Very well, I admit that I might be using Arabella as part of the reason to coerce Mrs. Givens to spend time with me, but I don’t intend to interfere when she is trying to teach my daughter how to behave properly.”
“I’m satisfied then,” she said firmly. “As long as you don’t use either of them for your own selfish means.”
He put a hand over his heart. “I’m hurt that you would think such a thing about me.”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t act the part of the innocent, Brandt. I have known you since you were a babe. I should think I know when my son has an ulterior motive.”
“You were the one who has been urging me to settle down and take a wife,” he pointed out.
She wasn’t placated. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt, including you.”
Brandt sighed. He leaned forward and looked at his mother with a steady expression so she could observe the sincerity in his gaze. “I don’t want that either. I want Arabella to be happy. The last thing I need is to see her upset by another loss in her young life. But if my plan succeeds in winning Mrs. Givens’ hand, then none of this will be in vain.”
“And if you don’t?” his mother asked softly. “What then?”
