Page 19

Union? Good God.

Jason had met Lenora but a mere two hours ago. Keyworth was putting the cart before the horse. Miles and miles and miles before the horse.

How many other would-be-suitors had found the door slammed in their faces before they’d even had a chance to declare themselves to Lenora?

Jason kicked his mouth up on one side and tapped his knee with his fingertips.

“You misunderstand. I’m not proposing, Keyworth.”

How had this conversation turned from a wish to know Lenora better to clarifying that Jason wasn’t offering marriage? And why did he feel a peculiar disappointment that he couldn’t?

“Good,” Keyworth returned bluntly, his countenance flat.

The outright rejection shouldn’t have stung, but it did.

“I’d never agree to a match between you.”

That was crystal clear.

Head canted, Keyworth studied his fingertips before meeting Jason’s gaze once more. “Not only because I want Lenora nearby, but because she’s not the stuff of which a sea captain’s wife is made. She loves too deeply and thrives when surrounded by those she adores. Your long absences would chip away at her. I honestly fear she’d become lonely and likely plagued by the blue devils. Eventually, bitterness and resentment would overtake her.”

A scowl pulled Jason’s brows together. He couldn’t contrive a satisfactory argument against any of those allegations or revelations. It rankled like the devil to have another verbalize his own thoughts. And to be so decisively dismissed as unacceptable, unworthy, and unsuitable, truth be told.

He wouldn’t make a bad husband. Perhaps not ideal, but not…bad. He’d be faithful, and his wife wouldn’t want for anything—except his company.

Bollocks.

How, by all that was sacred, had Jason’s musings turned toward qualities that would make him a good husband? Earlier today, he’d been considering how fortunate he was to be carefree and unshackled.

He leveled Keyworth a contemplative glance.

It was his fault, blast him.

He’d broached the subject. Planted the seed, and the deuced thing had germinated and taken root in an astonishingly short amount of time. Jason had never liked losing, and being told he was an unfit candidate before he’d even had an opportunity to test Lenora’s interest chafed his pride raw.

Keyworth flicked long fingers offhandedly toward Jason. “You have a reputation for being a stellar sea captain. Regardless, if I may be blunt, you are also a rogue. Either, or perhaps both, would destroy Lenora.”

Jason scratched his cheek, disliking the grudging admiration Keyworth roused. “I think your sister is much stronger and more resilient than you give her credit.”

“Lenora is a great many things admirable,” Keyworth agreed, giving the timepiece atop the mantel a swift glance. “I should like to check on her now.”

He rose, indicating their meeting was at an end.

Again, the image of her charging the thieves skipped across Jason’s mind, and pride rippled across his shoulders. If ever a woman might anchor him to the shore, it would’ve been a woman like Lenora Audsley.

Alas, it wasn’t meant to be.

Jason had a voyage to consider and a grandmother to console. An entanglement at this time wasn’t convenient. Keyworth had done him a favor by refusing to permit him to call upon Lenora.

“I shall respect your decision.” Summoning a grin, he offered the earl his hand.

Keyworth hesitated and then gripped Jason’s palm. “See that you do.”

Jason didn’t imagine the menace in those four words.

“I’m considering an extended voyage to India soon, in any event.” Except the idea held far less appeal than it had a few short hours ago.

Keyworth made a disdainful noise in his throat. “Precisely why you would never suit. If you broke Lenora’s heart, I’d have to kill you.”