“Have you?” Lady Redver asked, surprised. “Though English by birth, Mr. Vane has only recently set foot on English soil for the first time since his youth.”
“Ah,” Lady Asquith replied. “Perhaps his father then. Please show him in.”
Within half anhour, Eliza found herself atop a curricle with Mr. Jonathan Vane by her side. Lady Redver had managed the transaction so smoothly, even now Eliza wasn’t certain how she’d ended up with her godmother’s permission to take a pleasure ride.
“Every young lady should have the chance to enjoy a beautiful afternoon in a handsome new curricle,” Eliza repeated Lady Redver’s words. “Is this really a brand-new carriage, Mr. Vane?”
“New to me, at least. I’ve been in England since the fall, but I only recently decided to settle here. Settle and establish a family.” He slanted her a glance. “Thus, my willingness to hear your proposal.”
“I’m surprised at how quickly Lady Redver arranged for us to converse alone.” She sidestepped his comment. “Not many people can maneuver Lady Asquith with such ease.”
“Are you cross with Caroline?”
Caroline?“No. I was…surprised, however, to find her playing a part in this…transaction.”
“My fault, I’m afraid. I knew about your plans with Miss D’Acre, but I was otherwise unfamiliar with your schedule.”
She cocked her head. “How well are you acquainted with Lady Redver?”
“She is a friend.” Mr. Vane kept his eyes on the road and his hands on the ribbons. “Just…a friend.”
“At present?” she queried. Because his expression clearly suggested he wished otherwise.
His lips flattened. “I’m a practical man, Miss Wainwright.”
She turned her face away, fixing her gaze on the waters of the Serpentine.
She wasn’t surprised Mr. Vane had developed atendrefor Lady Redver. Lady Redver was the kind of woman who stopped men in their tracks and cost them the use of their tongues.
“Might I be blunt?” asked Mr. Vane.
She turned back. “If you must.”
“If Lady Redver would accept an offer from me, I would gladly make one. She has already informed me that she feels her circumstances render her unable to accept.”
“Veryblunt,” Eliza remarked.
He sent her a sidelong glance. “You must excuse me. I was not raised in England. I don’t have the English gift of…”
“Prevaricating?” she suggested.
“Tact,” he finished with a conciliatory half-smile. “I understand you seek a husband who will not be overbearing. I can promise you I will not. I also promise to be faithful. And I—”
“A moment, please,” Eliza interrupted.
His listing his attributes left her feeling mercenary. On the other hand—she peeked at his reddened face—was it not best to get everything out into the open?
She considered her own requirements before continuing. “Given the strangeness of our circumstances, I appreciate your candor. But you’re not quite correct. An affable husband might still disregard my opinions and treat me like a child. I seek a husband whose beliefs and actions I could influence.”
“Someone you can manipulate.”
She turned her head sharply. “I beg your pardon?”
He shrugged. “We share neither love nor friendship. Let us, at least, agree to be honest.”
A rut in the road jostled them together. Immediately, she drew herself apart.
There’d been no jolt as there had been with Redver. No sizzling rush of awareness. Though sitting close enough to feel his body’s heat, she felt nothing. Nor did this man spark in her any sense of affinity.
