Page 66 of A Wallflower to Win the Viscount

The next time he saw her, he would tell her so. He could also mention that she was so beautiful it robbed him of the ability to think straight, but the reverend would not approve of mentioning such things, and as he’d done so much wrong already such declarations were probably best kept to himself.

He also doubted the writer would approve of how her beauty undermined his already-diminished ability to exercise the self-restraint he advocated, as it showed his true nature was decidedly lacking in the virtues required of an ideal husband.

He moved on to the next instruction.

A gentleman should always extend every courtesy to all members of his intended’s household, demonstrating that once married, he would continue to care about their well-being.

He looked down at Clawdia. ‘I think we can put a tick beside that one, can’t we?’ he said with some satisfaction, pleased he’d finally done something right. ‘I’ve provided you with a home, food and constant care. Hopefully that has made up for my past bad behaviour regarding you and the rest of Primrose’s animal household.’

Clawdia meowed her response, which he interpreted as agreement and an appreciation of all he had done for her.

He looked back down at the book.

A suitor should offer modest tokens of his affection, and ones that honour those she loves will be considered particularly endearing.

He turned his attentions back to Clawdia as if she could provide an answer. Primrose loved her cat, along with those geese, her goat, the rabbits and every other animal on this planet. But what sort of token could you give a goat, a goose or a rabbit? That would require some thinking.

Next.

A gentleman worthy of a young lady’s affections must retain his dignity at all times, not display signs of ill temper or be affronted by any difficulties.

Lucian groaned out loud. That could be added to the growing list of things he had done wrong. His behaviour when the animals had entered the garden while he was trying to sell the house was definitely a display of ill temper on his part, and he was undeniably affronted by that particular difficulty. And no one would describe his frustration, when he was attempting to gather up those squirming rabbits, as evidence of him retaining his dignity.

But that, too, could be changed. From now on he would be dignified at all times, he would remain even-tempered no matter the provocation and there would be no signs of affront regardless of what difficulties presented themselves.

Provide guidance and gently correct your intended’s behaviour, should she show signs of impropriety.

Lucian laughed out loud. The reverend had obviously never met Primrose. If he tried to correct her behaviour, regardless of how gently he did so, he knew exactly what the outcome would be. This was a young woman who refused to do what propriety demanded and to wear ostrich feathers when being presented to Her Majesty the Queen. No one could correct her behaviour, least of all Lucian. And that was among the many things he admired about her.

Discourage with firmness but kindness any independence of thought. Ensure your intended knows you are the master, that she should always be in agreement with you and defer to your better judgement and wise counsel. That will ensure harmony throughout your marriage.

Lucian slammed the book shut and tossed it across the room.

Perhaps the reverend’s advice might work with other young ladies, although he had his doubts, but he could well imagine how far he would get if he demanded Primrose always agree with him or defer to his supposed better judgement. He’d never met anyone with greater independence of thought or less likely to pretend to agree with anyone else just for the sake of harmony.

And that, too, was one of the many reasons he was in love with her. So why on earth would he want to change her?

‘If the book can’t help me, then what am I going to do to woo the fair maiden?’ he asked Clawdia, who ignored him and continued grooming herself and her kittens, apparently finding the question as difficult as Lucian did.

A knock on the door alerted him that said fair maiden had arrived. Panic rising within him, he tried to remember any good advice the reverend had given him. Compliments, but not on her appearance. Extend courtesy to her family. Present tokens to those she loved.

He stood up, then sat down again. Right, he’d ask after the animals and find something other than her appearance to compliment her on. The tokens he’d have to leave to another time.

The reverend also decreed the man must remain dignified and even-tempered at all times and to never be affronted by difficulties. Even in his present state of agitation he could hopefully manage that.

Primrose entered the study. He stood up and smiled at her as a surge of warmth engulfed him. She was a vision. Why on earth had it taken him so long to discover he was in love with this enchanting woman?

‘You look so beautiful today,’ he murmured, then cursed himself. He was supposed to compliment her character, not her appearance. He had to get this right. It was essential he prove himself worthy of her, and that was not going to happen if he acted like a clumsy youth with no knowledge of courtly behaviour.

‘It is so kind of you to visit Clawdia,’ he rushed on, so she wouldn’t be offended by his crass attempt at flattery. ‘But, then, you are always kind. Kind and so lovely.’ He cringed inwardly. This was sounding even worse than when he’d blurted out that she looked beautiful, and he was certain he was already losing all semblance of dignity.

‘Thank you,’ she said slowly, her eyebrows drawn together. She cautiously took her seat, watching him as if wary of being in the company of a man who had lost his sanity. Which was probably a correct assessment of how he was feeling.

He took the seat beside her and tried to remember what else the reverend had advised.

Extend courtesies towards other members of the household.

Hopefully he could manage that without sounding like a hopeless clod.