Time passed by quickly, and soon enough, the echo of women’s heeled shoes clicked on the floor in the entryway. Vincent snapped out of the dreamlike state he’d been in since seeing Miss Middleton, and jumped out of his chair. He rushed out of his study, and then stopped. He didn’t want to interrupt his sisters as they said their goodbyes to their guest. And he definitely didn’t want them to see him sneak out of the house to find Ellie before she left the grounds. Of course, he would have to make running into her appear accidental.
He waited until he was certain his sisters had gone upstairs before he darted out the side door. Ellie was at the stable as his servant assisted her into the buggy. Vincent slowed his steps, so she wouldn’t think he was hurrying.
He walked to the broken-down fountain in the front of his yard and stopped. He studied the chipped stones and rubbed his chin, pretending to be in serious thought. The structure would be lovely once he could repair the damage. He trained his ears to listen for Ellie when her vehicle neared. Certainly, she would see him now.
Just as he had planned, she started on her way down the drive, but then pulled the single-horse buggy to a stop near Vincent.
“Lord Trenton,” she called out.
Trying not to grin with satisfaction, he moved away from the fountain and strode her way. “Greetings again, Miss Middleton.” When he stopped beside the buggy, he gave her a charming smile. “Did you have a pleasant visit with my sisters?”
“Indeed I did. I hardly recognized them from when I saw them last. It was a very good visit.”
“I want to thank you for coming to see them. As I mentioned before, they don’t receive many visitors. I’m certain they cherished the afternoon with you.”
“Lord Trenton? Would you like to take a drive with me?” She patted the space next to her. “I feel the need to talk about your sisters with you, and how I might be able to help.”
His hopes shot up, and he didn’t hesitate to climb into the vehicle beside her. “I’ll confess, I’m most eager to hear what you have to say.”
She chuckled as she urged the horse on. “I’m pleased that I didn’t have to beg you to ride with me.”
“Oh, my sweet Miss Middleton.” He casually slipped an arm behind her, resting it on the seat. “Turning a beautiful lady down is not something I do very well.”
A teasing grin stretched her mouth. “Yes, that is what I’ve heard.”
“Besides that”—Vincent waggled his eyebrows suggestively—“there might be other things you will have tobegme to do, and I look forward to that.”
She laughed, but he could tell it was forced.
“You don’t say,” she said before returning her attention to the road.
“So, Miss Middleton, what was it that you wanted to discuss with me about my sisters?”
“I would like to help them prepare for the Season.”
Vincent narrowed his eyes on the woman beside him. Was she a mind reader? But there must be something she needed in exchange. Why else would she want to help a rakehell? He couldn’t wait to find out what it was.
“And how would you do that?” He scooted closer to her, keeping his arm resting on the seat behind her. He softly ran the tip of his fingers along her back. She didn’t seem to mind, thankfully. “I’m not sure if you have heard the rumors, but thanks to my gambling father, I cannot afford a dowry for my sisters, so there really is no need for them to have a Season.”
“I have heard that rumor, but I might have a solution for you.”
She went silent as she guided the horse to a small meadow and stopped in the shade of a large oak tree. She sighed, hooked the reins over the rail, and turned toward him. Vincent wasn’t certain he liked the look in her mischievous eyes.
“Miss Middleton, I find myself anxious to hear what you have to say.”
“What I suggest will not only help you and your sisters, but it will be of great assistance for me, as well.”
He nodded, suspecting there was a hidden meaning in all of this. “Continue.”
She inhaled deeply, and as she released the air, her shoulders relaxed just a bit. “You are in need of funds to run your estate and to assist your sisters in obtaining a dowry. I can give that to you on one condition.” She swallowed noisily. “I need you to become my husband, but in name only.”
A small breeze blew against his face, and he thought something had lodged in his ear. He couldn’t possibly have heard her correctly. “Beg pardon? Did you say you want me to become yourhusband?”
He waited for her to laugh or make some snide remark over what he thought he’d heard. Instead, she lifted her chin stubbornly and nodded.
“Yes, that’s what I offer.”
Confusion filled his head, and he leaned back, giving him more room to breathe. But her flowery scent billowed around him, dazing his mind momentarily. Marriage?
