There was no denying her beauty. Her green eyes held mischief, as if she knew a secret he didn’t.
Too young, his brain warned. Even so, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. David forced himself to reply to Lady Lanfordshire’s questions, but Amelia withdrew a scrap of paper from behind a cushion, letting him silently know that she’d received his list. Her eyes shone with amusement, and he raised an eyebrow at her.
Do you really think I’ll pay any heed to this list?her eyes seemed to say.
It’s for your own good, he responded silently.
When Lady Lanfordshire offered him a piece of cake, he declined politely, keeping to his tea. Amelia, however, closed her eyes when she took a bite, savoring the taste. She appeared lost in a moment of reverence, while she enjoyed the moist cake with currants.
He’d seen that look on a woman’s face before, and it reminded him of how many years it had been since he’d shared his wife’s bed. It was unnerving to find himself so intrigued by Amelia’s response.
“If I may, Mother,” Amelia began, “I wanted you to meet Lord Castledon because I believe he would make an excellent husband for Margaret.”
Lady Lanfordshire nearly spewed her tea across the saucer. Instead, she coughed, raising a handkerchief to her lips. “Goodness,Amelia, you needn’t be so forward. Lord Castledon certainly has no need of your matchmaking.”
Miss Andrews ignored her mother. “He is five-and-thirty, and—”
“Three-and-thirty,” he corrected. He didn’t need her adding years to his age.
“Yes, well, he’s not too old for her yet. He’s a nice gentleman, and I believe they would get on quite well.”
Lady Lanfordshire closed her eyes as if seeking patience from a higher power. “Amelia, dearest, this is not the way a young woman should behave in front of an earl.” She sent him an embarrassed smile. “I understand you have a daughter, am I right, Lord Castledon?”
It was a blatant tactic to change the conversation topic.
“I do.” Clearly Lady Lanfordshire had no idea that he and Amelia had already conversed about potential wives. Steering the conversation back, he added, “And it is Christine’s fondest wish that I remarry and give her a mother.”
The matron’s expression softened. “How old is your daughter?”
“Eleven years old,” he admitted. “I should have remarried long before now, since I do need an heir. And yet, I couldn’t quite bring myself to do so.” He saw the sympathetic dismay on Lady Lanfordshire’s face. “Miss Andrews offered to help me find some suitable candidates.”
The older woman sighed. “Amelia ought to mind her own affairs instead of meddling with others.”
“I’m very good at meddling,” Amelia interjected. “And I do get results.”
That she did. David raised an eyebrow at her, and she sent back a secretive smile. He reached for his teacup. “Shall I assume that this was the reason you invited me here?”
“Actually, it was because I wanted to introduce you to my mother so that she’ll side with me about your being a good match with Margaret.”
Before the baroness could reply, David pulled out the list Amelia had sent and handed it to her. “And what do you think of these young ladies, Lady Lanfordshire?”
The matron accepted the list, sending a warning look toward Amelia. “All of them come from good families. But I’m not certain how well they would do as a stepmother to your daughter.” She began going down each name, listing the attributes of each. Amelia took a sip of her tea, presumably feigning obedience.
He hardly heard a word Lady Lanfordshire said. He was watching the way Amelia’s hands moved over the cup, and how her lips touched the porcelain rim. She sent him an impish smile when she caught him staring, and it was like a bullet to his brain.
Stop looking at her. She’s not for you.
He wanted an older woman, someone who could help him rear Christine and teach her to be a young lady. Not someone who would train his daughter how to be rebellious.
“In summary, I believe that either Miss Harrow or Miss Pearson would be an excellent choice for you,” Lady Lanfordshire finished.
“Not your own daughter?” he prompted, stealing another look at Amelia.
“Margaret has expressed a reluctance to marry,” she admitted. “After what that horrid Lord Lisford did to her, it’s no wonder.”
“He’s not a blackguard,” Amelia argued. “He simply made wrong choices.”
David finished his tea and replaced the cup, giving Lady Lanfordshire his full attention. “I must agree with you, Lady Lanfordshire. The man is indeed a rake, and I should hate to see any of your daughters associated with the likes of him.”
