The man sat down and crossed his legs. “So, you wish my daughter’s hand in marriage. I must say I was surprised to hear that she hadbeen noticed by you. You are a friend of Lord Durham, are you not?”
That was an area Christopher definitely wished to avoid. “I am, but only when in Town. I have been at Oxford serving as a mentor.”
The man sniffed. “I’m a Cambridge man myself. What was your field of study?”
Christopher’s stomach knotted. The rivalry between Cambridge and Oxford wasn’t just in rowing, but in politics as well. “I became an expert in the ancient classics.”
“Greek or Roman?”
While he was better versed in Greek, he was well aware their government was too close to America’s. “Both, but mostly Roman.”
That earned him a nod from Lord Dowling. “The Romans knew how to conquer the world. A strong civilization.”
“What was your field of study?”
“Moral philosophy and logic.”
The last thing Christopher wished to converse about with his future father-in-law was philosophy. That could go for hours. “Then I hope never to have to debate with you, my lord, as I would surely lose. I tended toward the histories and literature.”
Lord Dowling tugged on his mustache absently. “Then I will guess that is something you have in common with my daughter. How did you meet her?”
Christopher thought of his first meeting with Sophie and quickly ignored it. “I met her while skating at the Marquess of Ferncroft’s.” No need to let the man know he’d fallen into Sophie just before being properly introduced.
“Ah, yes. One of her classmates married Lord Ferncroft. Many of her classmates have done well. To be frank, I’d given up on her when this new school opened. Didn’t think her chances for marriage could be any worse. The blasted girl barely speaks.”
Christopher gritted his teeth, wanting to come to Sophie’s defense. Obviously, she’d been careful around her father.
“So, what are your circumstances? Obviously, my daughter comes with a significant dowry, but not enough to keep her settled without investing the funds.” Lord Dowling squinched his nose as if smelling something putrid when he mentionedinvesting.
Swallowing his wish to argue that point, Christopher answered as close to the truth as he could. “I have an estate in Daventry. I also received a portion from my father’s legacy.”
“You are the Viscount Tamworth, but you are not a first son?”
“No, that would be my brother. He inherited my father’s estate. He is Lord Sommerset.”
“The lord with the lady painter for a wife?” The man’s eyes grew large, as if having a wife be in great demand as a painter was the most plebeian outcome.
“Yes, that is my brother. But his wife paints as a hobby, like any other well-bred lady. She’s the daughter of the Duke of Mabry.”
“I didn’t know that.” The older man seemed mollified by that information. “So, you have an estate, a portion, and a title. You must be one of those special cases they used to grant back in the day.”
Christopher simply nodded, for to expand upon that would call into question his grandfather’s political intrigue, which lost the family much land.
“And you have feelings for my daughter?” Again, the man’s nose squinched, this time when he said the wordfeelings.
Though Christopher had come expecting to profess his undying love for Sophie, his instinct was telling him the man would have no use for that, so he changed tack. “I believe that Sophie would make an excellent viscountess. She is well trained in running a household, has all the appropriate social graces, and is well read, so that I might not be bored at the dinner table when there are no guests to join us.”
Once again, Lord Dowling nodded his approval. “I see you are a man who uses his mind rather than thinking with his heart. That is good. That means you’ll completely understand why I cannot grantyour suit.”
The response was so unexpected that Christopher needed clarification. “Excuse me? Did you say you wouldnotgrant my suit?”
“That is correct. From where I sit, I can see that my daughter is perfect for a better-situated peer. This school she’s at has obviously brought her attention, or you would not be here. So, I believe that, given time, despite what she thinks she feels for you, she could marry an earl, preferably with a large estate that can better our standing.” Lord Dowling rose. “Thank you for bringing to my attention the valuable asset my daughter can be.”
Christopher stood too, forcing himself not to clench his fists. “And if she wishes instead for a caring family and comfortable home, you will deny her that?”
“Of course. Her purpose in life is to bear more sons to carry on her husband’s legacy. She knows this and will be happy when I find her a better match. I wish you good fortune in finding a lady who will carry on your own legacy. Good day.”
Christopher curled his fingers into his palms to keep from shouting as Lord Dowling exited the room without a backward glance. Furious on behalf of Sophie, but also angry over his own treatment by her father, he remained where he was. The lack of respect his own father had given him, and then his brother gave him, no matter how unwittingly, combined with Lord Dowling’s, and he lashed out at the closest thing. He picked up the small table next to him and threw it to the floor, breaking it into four distinct pieces.
