She laughed and arched an eyebrow. “You know you are. And I think it’s rather cruel. You give all these women thoughts of marrying you, and then you make it clear to anyone who will listen—at least from what I hear—that you aren’t looking for a wife.”
The corner of his mouth tipped upward. “I could be persuaded if the right woman were searching for a husband as well.”
“And what’s brought you to this change in opinion?”
“One day, I will need an heir to pass down my estate to. My poor mother would be rolling in her grave if I allowed her ancestral home to go to a distant cousin.”
Isabelle leaned back against the column behind her. “That means that a marriage is a purely strategic decision for you then? You are not looking to love the woman you marry?”
“I hardly think love needs to be involved, but companionship would be nice. Perhaps with an American woman. One who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Though, I wouldn’t be compelled to anyone I couldn’t talk to.”
He really would be the perfect husband. The Windhams would be saved and I could spend the rest of my life with a companion. Resentment wouldn’t build from a one-sided love.
Isabelle could see a world in which their marriage would work. They wouldn’t expect more than the other could give. Lord Milton ranked high enough that Windham would get a nice little bonus from the marriage.
“And if you found such a woman, you would marry her this season?”
“Without a doubt.”
She pressed her lips together and nodded. Though he was a charmer—and she didn’t trust him because of that facet of his personality—there was a marriage that could be arranged.
“Would you like to dance?” Lord Milton asked, holding out his hand as other couples took to the floor to begin waltzing.
This is my chance. He’s already said he would marry me.
I just need to wait until he proposes.
“I’d love to,” she said, allowing him to lead her out on the floor and spin her around beneath his arm before pulling her back to him.
Lord Milton led them around the dance floor with the other couples. “If I were to propose, would you marry me?”
No.
“Yes.” The word was bitter on her tongue and try as she might, she couldn’t keep her mind from turning to Windham. She forced the thought of him away with a small smile. “Tell me more about what our lives could look like together.”
“Well, there would be children, to be sure. You would be taking care of them.”
“No governess?” Isabelle asked, already dreading the thought of caring for several children on her own.
Though she thought she would likely be able to do it, there was the worry that nothing she did would be enough. Especially ifthere were several children to her singular person. How would she make sure that everyone was loved and felt equal in their mother’s eyes?
Lord Milton gave her a look that made her feel as if she was simple. He sighed and shook his head. “I don’t like the thought of another person entering the home and influencing our children.”
“Don’t you think it would be good for them to be taught by someone who was been trained to care for a teach children? I would do all I could, but a governess is invaluable.”
“As you husband, I would also expect that my word was final,” he said, his tone cool.
Isabelle bit back the snarky response that jumped to the tip of her tongue. Right now, she should be telling him that she would never allow him to control her, but that might ruin the marriage prospect.
Growing up, she had always been told that a man didn’t want a wife who spoke back.
Lord Milton seemed like exactly the kind of man who take issue with his wife having opinions.
He smirked and reached up to run his hand along her cheek, sending a shiver of revulsion down her spine. She didn’t wantto be touched by this man in any way. It felt as if her skin was crawling.
How do I convince him that we would be better off not spending more time together?
She looked to where Windham would be standing as they spun. However, he wasn’t there. He would be able to see the panic on her face. He certainly wouldn’t be coming to save her.
