“Truthfully, I thought this whole thing would be simpler.” There was a hint of a frown on her features as she scanned the room.
“How so?”
“I assumed I would have fewer visitors, for one thing.”
Bradford dearly wished to roll his eyes but caught himself just in time. “You and your sisters are pretty, smart, and rumored to be in possession of large marriage settlements.”
“That’s what makes things complicated. How on earth is one supposed to get to know anyone when the sheer numbers prevent all but the most shallow conversation? I might know that Lord Derond prefers a chestnut to any other horse, but how am I to make a lifelong decision upon that?”
Bradford shook his head, pressing his lips together. She was so very earnest in her question that he found unexpected humor in it.
“And furthermore,” she continued, “how is one supposed to know which gentleman is serious? Perhaps I’m wasting time thinking of Lord Derond and his horse preference.”
“There you and I agree,” he said swiftly.
“Do be serious.”
He sighed. “I hardly think it’s sporting for one gentleman to give courting advice in general.”
“Are you truly courting me?”
The question threatened to jar his concentration; it was with great difficulty that he kept the steps of the dance.
“I’ve told you several times now, Lily,” he said, careful to keep his voice light. “I’m here for you.”
He steered her away from Lord Anderson and his partner. Anderson kept making swooping circles that were far too wide for the crowded nature of the dancefloor.
“If that’s true, I’d hear your advice,” she said.
“Do you genuinely not have any preference?”
Lily appeared to be deep in thought for several moments before saying, “I know who Idon’twant to marry. There are several of those. But the others? I don’t know them at all. I find it perverse—that we ladies aren’t allowed to ask the questions that might matter ten years into a marriage. And even if I did get up the courage to ask those questions, any gentleman who wished to make a good impression would just lie.”
“What would you ask them, if convention allowed it?”
“I want to know if they’re cross with their servants in the morning or after a long day’s travel. I want to know if any of them have ever kicked their hound or pressed their horse too hard. I want to know if they truly like children and wish to raise them, or if they just want to pass along their title.”
“Excellent questions, all.”
“Yes, but as previously stated, I’m not allowed to ask.”
“Don’t you think that some of these things would become apparent deeper into a courtship?”
“Perhaps, but how am I to achieve that? They must be the ones to deepen the relationship.”
“I suppose you could encourage a couple of them.” There was a twisting in his midsection as if he’d just plunged in a dull knife.
He guided them in a different direction, as Lord Anderson was encroaching once more.
“How?” she asked.
“A smile would be enough,” he grumbled.
“I doubt that, but it hardly matters when I don’t know if I even want to encourage any of them.”
Suddenly the ball looked very cheerful to Bradford, indeed. Even with Anderson dancing with all the skill of a bee-stung bull.
“Are you certain you wish to be married?” he asked.
