“Excellent.” He inclined his head. “I look forward to this evening.”
“As shall I, my lord.” She curtseyed and he bowed over her hand but did not try to take it in his or even kiss the air above it as almost every gentleman did, leaving her unsure what to make of him. Was he interested in her or not?
Once Gavin had accompanied Lord Harrington into the house, her aunt looked at Elizabeth. “Well, what did you think?”
“After his initial stiffness, he was quite charming.” Even if he didn’t kiss her fingers.
“He’s a handsome man,” her aunt mused.
She had studied him as he’d strolled off with Gavin. She had been right. It was clear his tall frame and broad shoulders had no need of padding anywhere. “Yes. His eyes in particular are a beautiful color blue. They almost match the sapphire he wore.” His hair was blond but slightly darker than hers. “I like the way his hair curls.”
“But he is not pretty,” Aunt said. “Not like Byron.”
“No. He is very manly looking. His jaw is firm.” Not able to get the vision of his shoulders and shapely legs out of her mind, Elizabeth fought the urge to sigh. She might be a little too interested in his physical attributes.
“And he was attentive to you,” her aunt prodded.
“Yes, he was very attentive.” Especially when he talked about going abroad. In fact, that was almost the only thing he discussed. He had not asked anything about her likes and dislikes.
“Very well.” Her aunt’s tone was a bit impatient. “He is tall, blond, and handsome. He appears, from his conversation, to be intelligent and well read. He comes from a good family. He will be a marquis someday, and he wishes to be wed.” Aunt Bristow arched a brow. “Tell me. What is it about him that you do not like?”
Her aunt was right. Something about Lord Harrington had struck Elizabeth as . . . off. She pushed his physical looks aside and focused on what was bothering her. Lord knows it wasn’t his appearance. It was not his demeanor as such. It was . . . was he really interested inher? “He wants this position so badly that I believe he will marry any suitable lady just to have it.” She scrunched up her face. “Do you know what I mean?” Her aunt stared at her, clearly not understanding. She’d have to find a different way to put it. “It strikes me that in a way he is like a fortune hunter. He does not care who he weds, so long as he can have what he wants. In the case of a fortune hunter it is the money. In Lord Harrington’s case, it is the position with Sir Charles.” She rubbed the space between her eyes, trying to ease the tension she felt. “I do not wish to be the means to an end.”
Aunt rang the bell on the table next to her. “You do not think he cares if his affections are engaged.”
A footman appeared carrying two glasses and a decanter of claret. After setting it down, he returned to the house.
“I am not even sure if he cares about compatibility.” Aunt handed Elizabeth a goblet of wine. “If he told Gavin he was looking for a wife, he certainly seems to have got over Lady Charlotte rather quickly.” Elizabeth should have noticed that earlier, but she had been too excited Lord Harrington was joining them for tea. “He did not appear to be interested in anything about me other than my wish to travel overseas.”
“We shall take it one step at a time then,” her aunt said after a few moments. “I know you are interested in him, but marrying the wrong man is worse than not marrying at all. Not that many would agree with me.”
Especially her father. “I suppose that is the only course I can take.”
Who would have thought that a gentleman who was so easily pleased could be such a problem?
If they never discussed anything personal, how would she discern if Harrington could come to love her? Or if she could love him for that matter?
He was so focused on his goals, Elizabeth could not be certain he even presented his true self. Except that she was positive he wanted that position and needed a wife to go with it.
* * *
Geoff’s phaeton was waiting when he reached the pavement. He turned to Turley and offered his hand. “Thank you for inviting me to tea. I greatly enjoyed speaking with Miss Turley.”
Gavin grasped Geoff’s hand, shaking it. “I’m glad you came. You seemed to have a great deal in common.”
“Yes. We do.” He’d thought so as well. At least he now knew she would enjoy living and traveling overseas. Unlike Lady Charlotte, who was appalled at the idea of being so far away from her family. He had been surprised at how lovely Miss Turley was. Her gown was the same sky blue as her eyes. When she talked of traveling, they sparkled like the sun on the sea. And even though her gown was modestly cut, the swells of her breasts beckoned him to explore. This evening he would further his conversation and knowledge of Miss Turley. “I shall see you at the ball.”
“Until then.” Her brother stepped back as Geoff climbed into his carriage.
Once his groom had scrambled onto the back, he started his horses and headed for his rooms. How had he missed how vivacious Miss Turley was when he’d met her previously? Then again, he could not recall what they had discussed the only time they had danced together. Merely that she made easy conversation.
Naturally, he would give due consideration to Lady Mary, Lady Jane, and Lady Emily, as his mother had suggested, but the thought that in Miss Turley he had found the right woman to fill the position as his wife persisted.
She was conversant in politics, both domestic and foreign. She wished to travel. She knew how to draw a person in to conversation and put them at their ease. Geoff felt a little guilty that he had acted so awkwardly with her, but he had to know what her abilities were. Still, she had passed his little test, and she need never discover what he had done. He must remember to ask if she spoke French and Italian. German would be helpful as well. Although French was essential, he supposed he could hire a tutor for the other two languages if necessary.
He did not particularly care how musical she was. As a married woman, she would not be called upon to play or sing. Still, he could not imagine she had not been trained in music and art. His mother had filled many hours playing both for her own pleasure and her family’s. Now that he thought about it, he would like a wife who was musical.
Mentally, he reviewed the list he and his father had discussed, trying to remember if there were any other important requirements his wife must have and decided he had recalled each of them.
