As they entered the drawing room, his mother greeted them, her happiness radiating from her. “Ah, there you are. And how did you like my husband’s artwork?”
Lady Amelia slipped her hand from his arm and moved toward his mother. “It was a varied collection. Tell me, do you have a favorite?”
As the ladies moved to the settee, Lady Beaumont joined them, so he moved to stand near Harewood who had halted in the doorway.
“What was the conclusion?” Harewood spoke quietly without looking at him.
He answered in the same way. “That avenue is not worth pursuing. There is nothing I’m willing to sell that will bring any relief.”
Harewood turned to face him at that. “My offer stands.”
“No.” He would not accept a loan from his friend. To do so would be to admit he could not be the master of his own estates.
“Then what will you do?”
He finally met Harewood’s gaze. “I believe I’m going to accept her counterproposal.”
“Will that be expedient? I’m sure a proposal to another wealthy young woman would bring you to the altar much sooner and the dowry in your hands.” He raised his brows as a sly grin formed. “Or is it that you look forward to lounging on a settee with no clothes while she ogles you.” He cleared his throat, “I mean draws you?”
“I admit to anticipating such sittings; however, that is hardly a reason to wed her. No, I actually think she will fit me reasonably well and be an acceptable wife.”
Harewood’s eyes widened. “Really?” Then his gaze grew shrewd. “I was under the distinct impression that you needed a woman who actually paid attention to what is important in life.” He glanced at Lady Amelia meaningfully.
“I’ve discovered that she does. I simply hadn’t asked the right questions.” And he planned to ensure he had plenty of time with her to ask many more questions. He no longer wished to avoid the pretty artist. Instead, he wanted to uncover every layer of her, probably more so than she wished to uncover him.
Harewood suddenly faced the ladies and took a couple of steps toward them. “Did you say Lady Hester is to marry Lord Blanford?”
At his friend’s sudden interest, he moved closer as well, surprised that Harewood would care about such matters. The only time he took an interest in such trivial events was when he had money on the outcome. Ah, that had to be it. He kept his voice low. “White’s?”
Harewood barely nodded, his focus on the women.
It was rare that his friend placed a bet in the book at White’s Gentlemen’s Club. In fact, he only did so when the odds were highly improbable, but he anticipated otherwise.
His mother brightened at Harewood’s interest. “Oh yes. I understand that he not only charmed the young lady into accepting, but also persuaded her father there were benefits to the match. Though what benefits, I can’t imagine.”
She turned to the Mabry sisters. “Lord Blanford squandered his money at the gambling hells and desperately needed a rich dowry if he was to save his estate.” She lowered her voice as if someone else listened. “His father had cut him off completely.”
Harewood grinned, obviously having bet the man would marry by a certain date or a certain lady.
Though his own situation was different, Andrew didn’t care for the way his mother gloated as if their life could ever be similar. She had little knowledge of what her husband had done to them, and as angry as her worship made him on occasion, he wouldn’t reveal the truth.
Lady Amelia’s eyes widened. “Whyever would she marry such a man? Why, she is asking for her own ruin. I, for one, would never marry a man who needed my dowry.” She shuddered, as if the idea truly horrified her.
Harewood glanced at him before rejoining the conversation. “Perhaps she had good reason. Mayhap her life at home was less than satisfying.”
Lady Beaumont interjected. “Or perhaps she fell in love. I would marry a man who needed my dowry if I loved him.”
Andrew noticed Lady Amelia squeeze her sister’s hand. There was a story behind the lady’s suggestion, and Lady Amelia knew it. Could she then be persuaded perhaps if she were to fall in love?
His mother waved her hand. “Oh, I have no doubt that rake charmed that poor innocent woman. I’m sure once they marry, she will rue the day she ever met him.”
He couldn’t allow the comment to hold sway. “And maybe Lord Blandford fell in love with Lady Hester.”
“Doubtful.” His mother shook her head. “You obviously have not been introduced to Lady Hester. She’s long in the face, her hair a mousey brown, and she has a slight limp.” His mother shook her head. “It had to be her dowry.”
“I would beg to disagree.”
At Lady Amelia’s response, he found himself anticipating her reasoning. “What do you think?”
