“It’ll certainly make that day brighter for both of you if Lucy, the dreaded stepsister, isn’t around on your happy day,” Harrison added. “She and Permilia don’t share what anyone could call an affectionate bond.”
Asher smiled. “Since we’ve recently learned that Lucy has abandoned her interest in Mr. Slater, it’ll make the day brighter for you as well since rumor has it around society that the ladies have decided you’re the gentleman to pursue at the moment.” His smile widened. “Lucy, from what I understand, is very susceptible to matters like that, which means you may have become her next target had she returned from Paris to attend her stepsister’s engagement celebration and then subsequent wedding.”
Harrison leaned closer to his friend. “There’s not really talk like that about me making the rounds, is there?”
“Of course there is.”
“A disturbing idea to be sure, and one that proves exactly why I’m not keen to enter society, no matter that society seems keen to welcome industrialists into their hallowed midst these days.”
“I would think since you are a gentleman who isn’t growing any younger, and you have been quite diligent in regard to growing the family shipping business, you’d relish the idea of ladies finding you to be a most excellent matrimonial choice.”
Harrison quirked a brow Asher’s way. “Do not tell me you’re turning into one ofthosegentlemen, are you? The ones who’ve found their true love and now believe everyone needs to do the same?”
Asher quirked a brow right back at him. “I’ve recently come to the conclusion that love is a state that mustn’t be neglected, and a state that everyone should have an opportunity to embrace.”
“Since when have you taken to turning poetic, and in a Byronic manner at that?”
Asher, instead of looking even a smidgen embarrassed, looked rather smug instead. “I recently began enjoying the work of Lord Byron, finding myself pleasantly surprised by the depth of emotion he put into his work. I daresay I never gave that esteemed gentleman his due, what with believing his poems regarding love to be a touch unrealistic, if you will. But, since I’ve now had the pleasure of gaining Permilia’s charming affections, I find Lord Byron’s work to be delightfully educational and strongly suggest you pick up a few of his works in order to aid you in acquiring the affections of your own charming lady.”
“You’re worse off than I imagined,” Harrison muttered right as Asher suddenly began looking far too determined.
“Because you are one of my closest friends, Harrison, I’ve decided I owe it to you to move your life along in the proper direction. That means I’m going to assist you with procuring your own happily-ever-after.”
Harrison began inching backward. “I don’t believe that’s necessary, especially since I’m perfectly happy as it is.”
“You work almost all the time except for when you join me for lunch at one of my clubs a few times a week.”
“I enjoy working and building up my shipping business, and it’s not as if my only social activity is joining you for lunch a few times a week.”
“What else, pray tell, do you do?”
“Well, to refresh that obviously faulty memory of yours, I ride my horse in Central Park.”
“With me, and after we’ve enjoyed our lunch. That doesn’t count.”
“I’m perfectly content with my life.”
“You need a lady.”
Harrison’s brows drew together. “How in the world did you surmise that from me saying I’m perfectly content?”
“Gentlemen always say they’re perfectly content when they’re really longing to spend their time with a lady. I’m sure I said exactly the same thing before I met my Permilia, but now I know I was hardly content, which is why I’ve decided to offer you my assistance in finding you a lady of your own.”
“I’m surrounded by ladies all the time, because, in case you’ve forgotten, I have three sisters and a mother—all of whom seem to enjoy spending an enormous amount of time in my company.”
“You need a lady who can be your true companion.” Asher leaned closer to Harrison. “I’ve come to the conclusion Gertrude is perfect for you.”
Harrison completely forgot he’d been trying to inch away from his friend and froze on the spot. “Why in the world would you have concluded that?”
“Because you pay attention to her.”
“I pay attention to all my friends.”
“You don’t look at Gertrude the way you look at your other friends.”
“Of course I wouldn’t look at Gertrude the way I look at you. That would be curious indeed especially since I do try to smile more at my lady friends than I do at the gentlemen I know.”
“You’re being obtuse, and on purpose I think.”
