“I care not,” Brixton replied. “I have decided that I am going to marry Miss Whiston.”
“I would be remiss if I did not point out that you have said something similar about Miss Agar, Miss Rutledge, and Miss Warwick.”
“This time I mean it.”
Charles glanced out the window, then asked, “What makes Miss Whiston so special?”
“She is incredibly beautiful.”
“That she is, but what else?”
Brixton gave him a blank look. “What else matters?”
“Quite a lot, in fact,” Charles said. “You can’t marry a woman based upon her beauty alone.”
“Men do it all the time.”
“Unhappy men,” Charles pointed out.
With a shake of his head, Brixton remarked, “You are wrong. Men in our positions are expected to have a beautiful wife.”
“I am not saying you should marry an unfortunate-looking young woman, but you should at least have some affection towards the woman you are pursuing.”
“I do hold Miss Whiston in high regard.”
“You do?”
Brixton nodded. “She is kind, and she handles herself with the grace and decorum that I would expect from my viscountess.”
“I see,” he muttered.
Shifting in his seat, Brixton said, “You must help me as I show favor to her.”
“And how will I do that?”
“You will need to engage her sister, giving me ample time to learn all I can about Miss Whiston.”
Charles frowned. “What if Miss Henrietta wrongfully assumes that I am pursuing her?”
Brixton smirked. “I daresay that won’t be a problem.”
“Why is that?”
“Ever since Lord Egleton’s wife chose him over you last Season, I’m afraid you haven’t quite recovered when it comes to wooing the ladies.”
“That is not true.”
Brixton gave him a knowing look. “Name one lady who has piqued your interest since Lady Egleton?”
An image of Miss Henrietta came to his mind, but Charles quickly banished the thought. “I can’t think of one at the moment,” he replied. “But I can assure you that I have no difficulty wooing a young woman.”
His friend put his hand up. “If you say so,” he remarked dismissively.
“I’m in earnest,” Charles pressed.
“Then prove me wrong.”
“It would be terribly unfair of me to give Miss Henrietta the wrong impression.”
