“If you’ve been dealing with scores of suitors chasing you about for years, I can well understand why you believed I was just another one in a long line of men trying to get your attention.”
Lady Annabelle gave him a patient smile. “It was still exceedingly ill-mannered of me, my lord. I’m sorry to have given you the wrong impression. Unfortunately, I’ve been considered the most elusive catch of the last several Seasons.”
He narrowed his eyes on her again, studying her. “At the risk of asking another impertinent question, why exactly do you consider that unfortunate? I would have thought it would be a young woman’s dream.”
“For most young women, perhaps.” She took another sip. “It’s simply that…” Lady Annabelle shrugged again. She glanced away. “I suppose I’ve always had this funny notion that people should marry because theylikeeach other, because they intend to treat each other with respect and kindness,notbecause one is trying to win the other like a prize hog at a fair.”
“And you’re the prize hog?” he said with a grin.
“Precisely,” she replied, meeting his eyes once again and returning his smile. She lifted her cup to her lips once more.
“Well, that I can certainly understand. I’m glad we started again, Lady Annabelle.”
“So am I,” she said, giving him a smile that made his insides light up. “And I’m three and twenty. I trust you will not repeat that to another living soul.”
Chapter Nine
That afternoon, Annabelle arrived at Lady Courtney’s town house at precisely one o’clock. Her maid, who was acting as chaperone, waited in the carriage as she marched up the steps and used the brass knocker against the tall black door. Annabelle had something specific she wanted to ask Marianne.
Annabelle had spent the entire ride here being completely preoccupied with two things, both of which Lord Elmwood had said to her this morning. First, he’d said he wanted to marry someone forlove. Love! She honestly thought she hadn’t heard him correctly at first. She’d had more discussions with men about marriage than she cared to think about. And in all those discussions—every single one—the word ‘love’ had never been uttered. Oh, no. Beauty had been mentioned. Dowries, family lineage, titles, children, and duty had been mentioned. Even the word ‘affection’ had been bandied about from time to time. But love? Never.
Lord Elmwood was unlike any of the other men of theton. They’d all grown up with the rules drilled into their proper little heads. Love wasn’t part of the rules. Love might as well be a giraffe, as rare as it was in London. No doubt about it. Lord Elmwood had thoroughly surprised her when he’d admitted he was looking for love.
The second thing Annabelle couldn’t stop thinking about was the casual way in which Lord Elmwood had mentioned the things Annabelle had always wished a man would care about when it came to looking for a match. When she’d said she would introduce him to some of the more accomplished ladies, he’d told her he preferred kind or witty or clever ladies instead. Imagine that! He’d surprised her so much with that statement she’d nearly dumped her tea in her lap. What sort of strange fellow was he? A gentleman who cared about more than beauty and dowries? In fact, he’d never even mentioned a dowry. He had to know they existed, didn’t he? Marianne would be bringing one to her marriage with Beau. How could an earl want a wife for her wit? A love match? The concept was so foreign she could barely believe it.
She might be preoccupied by Lord Elmwood’s unconventional speech and declarations, but neither of those things were why she’d come to visit Marianne today. No. Annabelle’s purpose in today’s call was much more practical. If one wanted to learn about a man, one should speak to his younger sister. If only all those silly women who’d thrown themselves at Beau for years had bothered to askheradvice, one of them might have caught his interest. As it was, she was glad for Marianne. Annabelle couldn’t have wished for a better sister-in-law. Unpretentious, caring, obviously adoring of Beau. Marianne would make a fine addition to their family. And Annabelle was determined that Marianne’s brother, Lord Elmwood, would make a fine match for some fortunate debutante as well. Hence, the reason for her visit.
After being ushered inside by the staunch butler, Annabelle waited patiently in Lady Courtney’s front salon until Marianne came breezing in, her bright red hair piled atop her head and a lovely mint green gown gracing her lithe frame.
Annabelle immediately stood and exchanged cheek kisses with her soon-to-be sister-in-law.
“It’s good to see you, Annabelle. What are you doing here?” Marianne asked before the smile dropped away from her face. “Wait. Is this about David? Has he done something awful? I do hope he hasn’t embarrassed you.”
Annabelle laughed and shook her head. “No. No. Nothing like that. Although I did want to discuss David, if that is all right with you,” she ventured.
The wary look remained on Marianne’s face. “Are you certain he hasn’t done something? Said something?”
Annabelle followed Marianne to the dark-blue settee near the front window, where they both took a seat.
“We had a pleasant chat this morning,” Annabelle continued as she settled into her seat. “We discussed calling cards and his marriage prospects.”
“Really?” Marianne arched a brow, a wary look in her face.
“Why do you sound surprised to hear it?” Annabelle asked next.
Marianne glanced down at her skirts and smoothed them. “It’s just that, well, David’s never been one to discuss his marriage prospects. Our dear Mama was beside herself trying to pry the slightest bit of information out of him.”
Annabelle narrowed her eyes. “Is that right?”
“Yes, he’s been completely mum on the subject for years.”
“I understand how he feels,” Annabelle mumbled under her breath.
“What was that?” Marianne asked.
“Nothing, it’s just that I was hoping you could tell me some things about Lord Elmwood. Uh, erm, perhaps what type of woman would be a good match for him? It will help me narrow the list of ladies I intend to introduce him to this Season.”
A bright smile spread across Marianne’s face. “Oh, that’s too good of you, Annabelle. I knew you’d be the perfect person to help David navigate Society. You’re far too kind.”
