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s dropped to her stomach. “Are you with child?”
A gasp of disconcertion escaped her. “No! How could you suggest such a thing of my honor?”
“I cast no aspersions on your person. It is natural for those who are foolish enough to believe they are in love to be intimate before marriage. I simply thought you had succumbed to someone’s charm.”
“I did not,” she snapped, cheeks flaming.
“Then why the haste? Most young ladies are engaged for at least six months,” he enquired coolly, his eyes as watchful and piercing as a hawk.
“Papa is in enormous debt.”
“That’s his burden, not yours.”
“Isn’t it? I’ve always known my sole value to the family was to make a match that would elevate them. I’ve avoided it for years because I wanted to choose my own husband. Perhaps I was naive, blind to the realities of life. We ladies of high society do not truly get to choose. We’ve already had to let go staff who desperately needed employment, and Papa is planning to raise the rents on our tenants who already struggle to pay. My marriage will not only benefit me.”
His gaze hooded even further. “I never thought you would have been so composed at the notion of marriage. You have been dodging suitors for years.”
“Unsuitable ones.”
“Ah…and is this new beau suitable in your eyes?”
“It appears he is exactly what my family needs,” she said softly.
He stiffened. “I see. Permit me to ask his name.”
“Viscount Ponsby, and according to Mamma, he has fifty thousand pounds a year. And if I do not choose Lord Ponsby, any other rich and titled gentleman will do. A ball is to be held in three days’ time, and all the eligible bachelors of the season have been invited. Mamma is quite determined to see me affianced in a few weeks.”
Richard’s eyes glinted with deep cynicism. “I liked you better when you spouted your nonsense about only marrying for love. I never thought you would become mercenary like those other ladies of society.”
Evie smiled. “I’m glad you feel so, and quite relieved, too.”
He arched a brow and folded his arms across his chest, affecting a casual pose. “I do not understand, but I am sure you will need little encouragement to inform me. I’m listening carefully.”
“There is another gentleman I would prefer to marry, not because of his wealth but because I…I admire him deeply. Sadly he is not of the same persuasion.”
“Then he is a damn fool.”
She nodded. “I agree. The problem is I do not think he notices me as a woman. My aim is to secure his attention…as a woman.”
Richard blinked…and then blinked again, an arrested expression settling on his face. He lowered his arms slowly and leaned forward. “Exactly what do you mean?”
“I’ve decided to get him to notice me, and if I successfully capture his attention in the next few weeks and secure an offer from him, then I can cry off from Lord Ponsby.”
Richard considered her intently, and she worked to prevent herself from fidgeting under the cunning intelligence glaring at her.
“And how do you intend for him to notice you as a woman?”
She wetted her lips, a nervous reaction to her scandalous plans, and his eyes tracked the movement. “That is where I shall rely on your expertise. I’ve spent so many years discouraging suitors, I have no notion how to attract one. How do I capture his interest and hold it? How do I tempt him to kiss me? How do I entrance him so he will dance with me at balls, walk with me in the park, send me letters and poems?”
“I believe I know where you are heading and the answer is no.”
“Oh, Richard, you haven’t even heard my request.”
His jaw clenched, and he was gripping the edge of the seat. “Evie—”
“Teach me,” she breathed boldly, sliding forward on her seat. “How do I kiss…how do I ensnare his regard? You are my friend. I quite believe you are honor bound to tutor me.”
“Evie—”
