George chuckled. “As I recall, he was your preferred candidate for husband not too long ago.”
“But then I met you.”
“Ah, I see. My charm and good looks were such, no other man could compare.”
She gave him a pensive look. “Do you know, that’s actually fairly accurate.”
“Are you trying to make me forget that you didn’t care for me in the least to begin with?”
“I made a mistake. Can we please move past it?”
“Certainly.”
A crease appeared on her brow. “You’re not the only person I’ve misjudged lately. As it turns out, I was so delighted by Shrewsberry’s title, his impeccable manner, that blinding smile of his, and his perfect comportment, I failed to realize we don’t have anything in common. But it was jarringly obvious when I returned from my visit with you. The man has no opinion on anything. When I asked him if he liked to ride, he asked me if I did, and when I told him I did, he said if that were the case then he did as well. It was as if he was trying to win me over with endless agreeability, only it frustrated me to no end. I want a partner I can spar with, exchange different views with, not one who will always tell me I’m right.”
“Knowing Shrewsberry as I do, I’m fairly certain this manner of his would change the moment you were his wife.”
“Are you saying he’s pretending to be the man he believes I want for the sake of trapping me into marriage?” Margaret looked appalled.
George could not fault her. “The earl is as cunning as they come, Margaret. In fact, if ever there was a rake for you to beware of, Shrewsberry is the man.”
“But he... he seems so nice.”
“And I didn’t, I suppose?”
“You appeared to be precisely the sort of roguish scoundrel who’d happily lead an unsuspecting woman into dark corners, whereas he comes across as something of a fop.”
“He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, my dear, while I am quite the opposite.”
“A sheep in wolf’s clothing?” Humor pulled at her lips and brightened her eyes.
He shrugged. “If you like.”
“I do. Very much.” She held his gaze. “You needn’t concern yourself with Shrewsberry, by the way. I hope you realize that.”
“Of course.” He finished his biscuit and washed it down with some tea. “Though it would be easy to rid him of any possible misconceptions if you were to say...announce your engagement to me?”
“We have an agreement, you and I,” Margaret said, though she sounded as if she had to remind herself of the fact. “Three months.”
“Two and a half now by my estimation.”
“Quite right,” she agreed. “I trust you’ve not tired of me yet?”
“I’ll never tire of you,” he assured her, “and I would happily marry you tomorrow if you were willing. But I do see the sense in your suggestion.”
“Good. Because it has occurred to me that there’s much we still don’t know about each other. For instance, do you play a musical instrument?”
“No.”
“Would you mind if I did?”
“Of course not.” He pondered her comment. “Which instrument do you play?”
“The harp.” When he said nothing in response to this she asked, “Do you favor Town or country?”
“The country. The air is cleaner there. I feel better in general since it offers more opportunity for exercise.”
“That reminds me. How is Miss Granger fairing?”
