“We both know that if anyone will cause trouble it will be Elodie,” Bennett argued. “She is a hoyden of the highest order.”
“She is still young,” his mother defended.
Leaning forward in his seat, he snatched a biscuit off the tray. “Why can’t Elodie be more like Melody?”
“Melody may not be as loud as Elodie, but she has a quiet strength about her.”
“She is much more agreeable.”
His mother smiled. “Do not mistake her agreeableness for obedience. Melody has a voice, but unlike Elodie, she holds it in.”
Bennett took a bite of his biscuit before saying, “As long as Melody stays away from rakes, I will be pleased.”
“What of Lord Byron?”
He shot up in his seat, outraged by the mere insinuation of such a thing. “Absolutely not!” he shouted. “I do not want her to associate with him either. He may be a celebrated poet, but if the rumors are to be believed, he is a scoundrel that seduces young girls.”
His mother did not appear the least bit concerned by his admission. “My point being that there are worse people that you should be concerned with.”
“You would be all right with Melody marrying a rake?” Bennett asked in disbelief.
“No, I would not, and do not mistake that,” his mother quickly replied. “I just propose we let Melody come to the same conclusion that we have on her own.”
Bennett didn’t quite like that idea. He wished that his sisters would do as they were told. It would be much simpler. “I am not looking forward to this Season,” he muttered.
“I do hope that you will take advantage of this Season- more so than in the past,” his mother remarked.
“What are you implying?”
His mother grew solemn. “I know that I have joked about it, but it is time for you to take a wife. You are nearing thirty and are an earl. You should have no issues with selecting a bride,” she said.
He sighed, knowing that he should have seen this conversation coming. Again. If his mother wasn’t talking about him getting married, it was his father. It seemed that they both had little else to talk to him about.
Bennett rose, having an immense desire to leave and end this conversation. “Do we have to talk about this now?”
“When would you care to talk about it?”
He tossed his hands up in the air. “I don’t know. Maybe never.”
“Do be serious.”
“I am,” he replied. “Why is me taking a wife so important to you?”
Rising, his mother eyed him with a look that could only be construed as sympathy. “I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy.”
“Are you?”
Bennett gave her a resolute nod. “I am,” he said firmly, hoping to end this line of questioning. He was happy. So why couldn’t he convince his mother otherwise?
His mother considered him for a long moment before putting her hands up in surrender. “All right. I shall drop it… for now.”
“Thank you,” he said. “I think I shall go on a ride now.”
“Enjoy your ride, Dear.”
Turning on his heel, he departed from the study and headed towards the stables. He probably should have been more patient with his mother since he knew she just wanted him to be happy. But a wife would not guarantee his happiness.
