“You do?” Lady Glenfinnan asked.
Alden grinned. “I do,” he replied, hoping to earn Miss Fraser’s approval. “I do believe a woman’s greatest weapon is her mind.”
Rather than look pleased by his remark, Miss Fraser opened her book in her lap and started reading once more.
Miss Fraser was pretty enough to tempt him with her red hair and striking blue eyes, but it was obvious that she found him lacking.
Alden glanced at Elinor and noticed a smile playing on her lips. It almost appeared as if she were enjoying herself.
Elinor caught his eyes and her smile grew. “Isobel isn’t wrong. You should be reading more books.”
“I read plenty,” Alden defended.
“Yet, you can’t name the last book you read?” Elinor challenged.
Alden leaned closer to her and asked, “Whose side are you on?”
Elinor patted his sleeve. “I am just a neutral observer to all of this.”
“Traitor,” Alden muttered playfully.
Lady Glenfinnan held her hand out to her daughter. “Give me the book,” she ordered.
With a slight huff, Miss Fraser closed the book and placed it in her mother’s hand.
“Now, where were we?” Lady Glenfinnan asked, placing the book onto a table.
Elinor was trying hard not to laugh, but this was going precisely how she expected it to go. Miss Fraser was many things, but she cared more about physics than anything. It had always been this way. Many people in the village considered her odd, but Elinor didn’t. She found her to be a delight and rather enjoyed conversing with her.
Miss Fraser leaned forward in her seat and retrieved her cup of tea. She met Alden’s gaze and said, “I understand you are looking for a wife.”
Alden had just brought the cup to his lips and choked slightly as he took a sip. “I am,” he confirmed.
“I will do it,” Miss Fraser began, “assuming you are serious about it being a marriage of convenience. I can focuson my studies in physics, and you can focus on whatever it is that interests you.”
“Perhaps we should start by you telling me about yourself,” Alden said.
Miss Fraser took a sip of her tea before lowering it to her lap. “I am eight and ten years old. My parents said I don’t have to have a Season if I get married to you,” she shared. “I was worried that you would be unfortunate-looking but you are tolerable.”
“Tolerable?” Alden repeated.
“I am partial to Scottish men with red hair, but I suppose a dark-haired Englishman will do,” Miss Fraser responded.
Alden frowned. “How generous of you,” he muttered.
Lady Glenfinnan spoke up. “Isobel is just teasing you,” she rushed out. “She has no qualms with Englishmen, considering she went to boarding school in Northumberland. We ensured she was properly educated.”
“I do hope you don’t take issue with me dressing up in men’s clothing to attend lectures on physics,” Miss Fraser said.
“That is quite scandalous,” Alden stated.
“Only if you get caught, and I have no intention of doing so,” Miss Fraser said. “Now, shall we talk about marital duties?”
Alden’s brow shot up. “I beg your pardon?”
“I suppose you will require an heir, but I am willing to give you one child. I can’t predict if it is male or female, though,” Miss Fraser responded, her face expressionless. “Do we have a deal?”
Elinor brought her hand up to her lips as she tried to hide her smile. It would not do well if it looked like she was enjoying this exchange.
