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She licked her lips, floundering for a suitable response. It felt disloyal to reveal Julius’s actions without his permission.

“Perhaps Jul—Lord Trafford should explain the situation himself,” she ventured.

Lord Stirling shook his head sharply, as though to clear his thoughts. “I shall speak with him. Regardless, your reputation must be considered. The specifics notwithstanding, I shall impress upon Julius that he must do the honorable thing. His philosophical objections to proper conduct are irrelevant. He will marry you. If that is what you wish?”

The breath escaped Audrey in a silent sigh. She had been so afraid the earl would object to a match with someone of her standing. His calm acceptance, his readiness to acknowledge her as a potential daughter-in-law, touched something deep inside her. She was no diamond of the first water. No heiress. No duke’s daughter. And yet here he stood, offering his support with dignity and conviction.

“Lord Trafford has already offered me the protection of his name,” she replied. “He told me a special license is being obtained by the Duke of Halmesbury, so that we may wed by the end of the week.”

The earl’s brow creased in genuine surprise. “Julius offered you marriage?”

“He did.”

Lord Stirling studied her, his head tilting as though seeing her anew. He was a busy man, burdened by Crown duties and often called away on matters of state. Audrey had never taken his indifference personally. He had welcomed her into his home, after all, without so much as a murmur of complaint. But now, for the first time, she felt him truly look at her. And in that moment, he saw something that made his expression soften.

One hand rose to rub his clean-shaven chin, and his blue eyes gleamed with faint intrigue.

“Then there is no doubt you are a most singular young lady, Miss Gideon. I had prepared myself for battle. I expected Julius to resist marriage at every turn. That he would propose willingly …” He trailed off with a shake of the head. “You may have done me a great favor, bringing him up to scratch. I thought … well, never mind.”

A twist of guilt caught in Audrey’s chest.

Julius had made the offer to salvage her reputation, not from affection. Not yet. She still had to win his esteem as a wife. If she failed, he would pursue more enticing paramours, leaving her with little more than a title and heartbreak.

The very idea made her throat tighten.

She had hoped Casanova’s memoirs would help her understand how to tempt such a contrary buck, but they had thus far yielded little. It was proving harder than she had imagined.

She summoned a small smile. “Thank you, my lord.”

“Is this what you want? I fear I may have neglected my duties as a guardian. We ought to have discussed your future long before now.”

Audrey drew a breath and summoned her courage. This was her moment. She did not know when, or if, she might be granted another opportunity to speak so freely. If she failed to declare her wishes now, she would continue to be shaped by the expectations of others.

“I wish to be a healer,” she said steadily. “My father taught me a great deal over the years, and it is my earnest desire to care for the health of others.”

The earl grew thoughtful, the tick of the ormolu clock on the mantel marking the seconds as he considered her words. At last, he inclined his head with grave attention.

“It is remiss of me not to have known this,” he said at last. “As the future Countess of Stirling, you cannot engage in paid work, of course, but it is customary for the lady of the household to tend to the tenants’ needs. Your father was a most capable physician, and I would be gratified to have his daughter assist in the welfare of my people. There are matters you may support me in. Indeed, I have several cases in mind already.”

Audrey beamed, her heart lightening. The earl’s endorsement would be a powerful form of patronage. Though she knew the apothecaries’ guild would likely never admit her, his support would open doors. Through him, she could apply her knowledge to help countless families across his many estates. Stirling itself might one day accept her, not only as a countess, but as a healer.

If only she could be so confident about Julius.

Audrey’s smile faded slightly. Winning Lord Stirling’s approval had come more easily than expected. But could she win the heart of her betrothed? Could she ever truly manage Julius, as the earl seemed to hope?

She did not know. All she knew was that failure would not merely break her heart. It would make her feel an outsider in the very family that had welcomed her in.