Page 67 of A Wallflower to Win the Viscount

‘How is Hamish today? And Peck, Fluff, Little Honk and Marigold?’ He smiled with satisfaction, certain he would get extra points for remembering their names. ‘They’re all in good health, I hope?’

He looked at her, waiting for a smile in return or maybe even some signs that the reverend’s advice was working. Instead, her eyebrows drew even closer together. ‘They’re all quite well, but are you?’

‘Me? Yes, of course,’ he responded trying to hold on to his smile and his rapidly fraying dignity.

‘I’m pleased to hear that,’ she said, still frowning.

Lucian racked his brain trying to remember what else the author had said that might be of some use. He looked over at the abandoned book, lying in the corner, its binding threads showing, its pages flayed.

Primrose followed his gaze. ‘Oh, I see you’ve bought another book on caring for cats. You’re so thoughtful.’

‘No, I—’ Lucian jumped to his feet, but before he could stop her, she had crossed the room.

‘But you really should take better care of your books,’ she added, picking it up and turning it over to read the cover. Her eyebrows shot up her forehead and her surprised eyes grew enormous. She looked over at him, then down at the book, then back at him.

It seemed all attempts to retain his dignity had now been well and truly stripped from him, and he had ruined everything.

‘I thought it would give me some advice on ways in which I could convince you to marry me,’ he mumbled, knowing he sounded as awkward as he felt.

Her eyebrows remained raised as she opened the book and flicked through the pages. Lucian braced himself, certain his discomfort could not be greater.

Her hand covered her mouth as a giggle escaped. ‘Well, it appears you’ve already gone against the advice in chapters one, two and three.’

He was wrong. His discomfort increased and rapidly turned to mortification.

‘Oh, my goodness, listen to this,’ she said, still smiling. ‘Check all unbecoming mirth lest the young lady think you frivolous.’

She looked up at him, her eyes dancing with amusement. ‘What is the point of being alive if you can’t indulge in lots and lots of unbecoming mirth?’

She waited for him to agree, but instead he sent her a faltering smile as he desperately attempted to regain a shred of dignity. She returned to the book, her own joyful smile suggesting it was providing her with a great deal of mirth.

‘Oh, dear, listen to this one. Demonstrate sober industry and speak often of your properties, investments and lands, so the young lady will know you are a stable and worthwhile prospect.’ She shook her head. ‘That sounds like a good way to convince any young lady that you are a complete bore.’

She thumbed through a few more pages. ‘By all means flatter the young lady, but not on her appearance—’

Lucian crossed the room, removed the book from her hand and placed it high up on the bookshelf.

‘You’re right. Buying this book was not a good idea,’ he said. ‘I see that now, but I didn’t know what else to do to convince you we should marry. However, when it comes to courting you, the reverend doesn’t appear to know what he is talking about.’

‘No, that’s obvious,’ she said, looking up at the book, which was now out of her reach.

‘He also seemed to be advising me to try and change you.’ Lucian shrugged. ‘But why would I want to change you?’

‘Quite right,’ she said, with an approving nod.

‘He even said I should provide guidance so you would behave with correct propriety, and we both know I’ve already failed in all attempts in that direction.’

She turned to him and grinned.

‘And he thinks I should correct your independence of thought so you always agree with me.’

Once again, her hand covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. ‘Well, we both know that wouldn’t work either.’

‘No,’ he said with a despondent sigh, feeling completely defeated before he’d even begun in his attempt to court her. ‘And why would I want to do that, anyway? If I did try to change or correct you, I’d be trying to destroy everything I love about you. I love the way you couldn’t care less what anyone else thinks of you. I love that you will not be cowed into going against your principles, even in front of the queen herself. I love that you don’t conform to how Society expects a young lady to act. I love that you never defer to me…’

He stopped. She was staring at him with an open mouth and enormous eyes.

‘What?’ he said, sure he had done something else the reverend would disapprove of.