The two women stepped out from behind the hedge, their hands clasped together.Relief washed through him as he noted that both were young, attractive women.At least from a distance.
Even from here he could see that the first was tall and blonde, her willowy figure highlighted by her height.
The second…his gaze lingered.Dark haired and petite, her curvy figure was on display in the low-waisted gown she wore, her hoop skirts accentuating her tiny waist.While both women were attractive, he far preferred the second, and for a brief moment, he found himself hoping… That had not been part of his promise to Ralph.
He straightened a bit, turning his face the slightest bit to disguise his scar.She’d notice, of course.And perhaps she wouldn’t care but he didn’t wish for it to be the first thing she saw.
He was not ashamed of the scar itself, but it wouldn’t do to frighten them before an introduction had even occurred.
They moved nearer, his gazed trained on the ladies.
Her lavender gown only highlighted the delicate ivory shade of her skin, her dark brown eyes, and plush pink lips.
Her features erred on the side of sweet rather than seductive, and somehow, for him, that only added to her appeal.Would she be as kind as her looks implied?
He shifted as they moved closer, tugging at the lapels of his coat, his walking stick brushing his knee.He shifted the highly polished stick of wood to his other hand as he executed a short bow.“Ladies.”
The dark-haired beauty stepped forward.A bit of satisfaction rippled through him to think she’d placed the ad.She pressed her lips together a moment before they parted again.“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mister…”
The question in her voice was unmistakable.
“Viscount Ware, at your service.”
The other woman gave a tiny gasp.Almost unnoticeable, but he heard it anyway.Was she pleased to learn we had a viscount?Had she noted his scar and wondered at its cause?
The lady gave a small nod, her gaze trained somewhere on his chest.“Lady Priscilla Applegate.”
Wyatt had ceased following news of thetonsome time ago.A fact he regretted now.“You are the one who placed the ad?”
She gave another small jerk of her chin.“Correct, my lord.And just to further clarify, we are speaking about the ad for…” She drew in a steadying breath.
“Marriage,” the other young lady supplied.
“Thank you, Clara,” Lady Priscilla said half turning back to look at the other woman.
Which left him free to observe her profile.She had a lovely neck, long and slender, her cheekbones were full and only highlighted the dimples on either side of her generous mouth.Why would a woman such as this have to advertise for a husband?Scandal?
He had to be a head taller than Lady Priscilla and as she turned back to him, she tipped her face up to look into his.
He knew the moment she noted the scar.Her eyes widened, even as she drew in a quick breath.
His hand clenched around the top of his cane as he forced himself to remain still.She’d just discovered the reason that he’d been willing to answer an ad.Well, one of the reasons, anyhow.
Would her discovery lead her to back away?
It wasn’t so odd for a man to have a scar.Granted, his wasn’t thin like the ones some men carried from rapier blades, but thick and puckered like the knife that had caused it.
She swallowed, her mouth pressing into a firm line.“What questions might you have for me?”
His brows lifted.She wasn’t running away after all.At least, not yet.“Let me see.First, your lineage.”He didn’t care all that much.He’d like a well-mannered and kind woman to raise his child.But they had to begin somewhere.
“My father was the 10th Earl of Purlington.”
“Was?”
Her spine straightened.“Yes.Was.A distant cousin now holds the title.”
Ahh.He began to understand.“And the reason you bucked convention and utilized the paper?”
