“She is known for being outspoken, which isn’t a terrible thing if one is in your circumstances and needs the Holwell fortune. However, if a man has his choice of ladies to choose from, and perhaps a mother who is a stickler for family bloodlines, Miss Holwell and her mining ancestors will not stand a chance. She is also rather tall. Of course, that is not a problem for you. You’re over six feet.”
“Isshe six feet tall?”
“I don’t believe she quite is.”
“AnAmazonbluestocking.”
“You are putting a bad slant on this. Last I saw her, all I could think about were her breasts, which were just about to my eye level.”
Thaddeus was short for a man, short and clever. Roman also knew he liked breasts since that is usually what he commented upon about women.
“So, the powers of Society don’t like Miss Holwell because she is a tall miner’s daughter who likes to read.”
“That is the gist of the matter. The families with sons her father would approve of her marrying believe they can do better than Miss Holwell. Or their sons are my height. So, she languishes on the Marriage Mart.”
Roman set his empty glass on the desk. “What of the others?”
“There is Miss Reverly. I believe she is the loveliest of the lot and the wealthiest. However, she is very petite, a mite of a woman.”
Roman shrugged. “I like petite women.”
“Don’t we all. But she is truly tiny. Perfectly formed but just barely five feet, perhaps an inch more, and fine boned. There are whispers amongst the mothers of eligible sons that she might not bear a child, and since for those families an heir is all important—as it is to you, my lord—well, Miss Reverly is not a first choice. Mind you, both of those young ladies would be snatched up by would-be husbands if their fathers would accept an offer from lesser titles or just decent gentlemen. Those like me who are called to the bar do not stand a chance. Reverly has made it clear he will not settle for anything less than a duke or a marquis for his daughter.”
“That leaves me out.”
“I thought I should at least mention her.”
“And you did. What of the third?”
“Ah, now she is the one I believe would interest you. Her father is with the East India Company. He is an officer in the Company, but from what I hear, not as clever and successful as his grandfather and father. His money comes from the family. He wishes his daughter to be married to an old and distinguished title because after generations of service to the Crown, the best his family could earn is a knighthood, and not one that could be passed down. Earl of Rochdale will meet his needs nicely.”
Roman shifted his weight. “I am not fond of nabobs.”
“You will be extremely fond of the daughter. There is something striking and different about Miss Charnock, whether the rumors are true about her heritage—”
“Charnock?”Carefully, Roman said, “What is her first name?”
“Leonie. Leonie Charnock—her great-grandfather was one of the most important men in India.”
Roman straightened, stunned to hear spoken aloud the name he’d struggledto eradicate from his conscious for the last six years. Leonie Charnock. Ah, yes, she was beautiful... and the person who had destroyed his military career.
“Is something the matter, Rochdale? You have the strangest expression. Have I said something wrong?”
Roman faced his godfather. Should he tell him? Roman had not spoken a word of the incident to anyone. He’d been bound by a code of honor, hisowncode and one that had nothing to do with matters as frivolous as bad gambling debts.
He decided to break a portion of his silence. It could not hurt.
“You have never asked why my military career stalled. Were you not curious?”
Thaddeus sat back in his chair. His gaze shifted away from Roman’s. “I would not pry. I knew from your letters you were disappointed.”
“Disappointed” was such an understatement; Roman gave a bitter laugh. “Leonie Charnock destroyed my career. If it hadn’t been for her, I would have been able to leave service in India. I would have found myself fighting Napoleon on the Peninsula and be a full colonel by now.”
Instead, his fellow officers had branded him a disgrace. He’d been ignored for promotions and sent on countless excursions to battle the Marathas and pirates, the most dangerous tasks no one else wanted. Every time they sent him out, Roman knew they did not expect him to return.
“Good heavens.” Thaddeus leaned toward him. “I was aware that something had happened. I know you, lad. I believed you were a better officer than the way you were treated.”
“If not for Rochdale’s death and no other male heir between us...” He let his voice drift off. Military service appeared romantic to those who had no idea of how cheap life was in battle, especially when one couldn’t trust the men behind him.
