AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“At last you begin to comprehend,” said Rich with a droll smile. “You must not compare yourself to William or allow her to do so any longer. You are a different man with sterling qualities of your own. A better man, in my opinion, than your brother ever was. But she must come to that conclusion on her own.”
“How?” Roland asked, frustrated. “How can I possibly compare with his memory? She practically worshiped him.”
“Oh, I think you’ve already made a good start,” said Rich, his grin wolfish as he reached over and patted the pile of old Gazettes beside his chair. Several of them slid off onto the floor. “I read, too, you know. If William ever kissed her in public, it certainly wasn’t worthy of being announced in the papers. And I’m willing to wager the event wouldn’t have been described as ‘ardent,’ in any case. Oh, yes. I quite think you’ve already begun altering her idea of perfection.”
Roland already knew his brother had done a poor job of kissing Harriett, if indeed he’d kissed her at all. “Then my plans to become more like him—”
“Will only work against you. Oh, I’m not saying you shouldn’t continue in your reformation,” said his friend, laughing. “Heaven knows you’ve enough nasty habits to make any decent woman cry off. But trying to become someone else never worked out well for anyone. The truth always comes out, usually at the least favorable time.”
Unbidden, a chuckle rose in Roland’s throat. “She always seems to catch me at my worst.”
“Mm. The ones we want usually do.”
“But how can she not compare me to my brother?”
“She will compare you to him,” said Rich. “She cannot help but do so. But if you do it right, those comparisons will work in your favor. Show her what she could have with you that she could never have had with him. Show her that life isn’t all toil and seriousness, that it can be fun—with you. Make her feel important, cherished, and desired. And above all”—his brows lowered ominously, along with his voice—“remember that no woman wants to be treated as though she is ordinary.”
“I don’t think that will be a problem,” Roland said, lading his answer with sarcasm. “Harriett is the least ordinary of all the women I’ve ever known.”
Rich’s eyes twinkled. “You should let her know it. Show her you value her uniqueness, that you see her as rare and special, a diamond among the common stones.”
It sounded so trite, but Roland knew he was right. She was a diamond. And to think he’d been ready to try and find her a husband who would “tolerate her peculiarities” rather than appreciate her for herself. Those attributes he’d once viewed as disadvantages—qualities she herself had recently tried to hide in the effort to catch a husband—were in reality great strengths. His brother had seen this and accepted her as she was.
He, however, had been blind to it. Not anymore. “I think I understand now.” He rose. “Thank you, Rich.”
“Any time,” said his friend, looking pleased with himself. “I assume this means you intend to pursue her hand?”
“I don’t yet know,” Roland answered truthfully. “I think I have a lot of ground to make up first before that can be determined.”
“Fair enough. Though if that is your position, then I advise you against kissing her in public again until you are absolutely certain you want her for your wife.” Rich patted the stack of papers again, adding a few more to those already littering the floor about his feet.
“I’m sure I needn’t worry about that,” Roland laughed. “The lady would as soon black my eye as kiss me again.”
“Yes, well—just be sure you’re ready to put on the shackles the next time it happens.”
~ * ~
Harriett arrived home barely in time to change her dress and freshen up before Lord Russell arrived. Manchester’s proposal to help her find a husband still rankled, even though his intentions were...well, she didn’t quite know what to think of that, actually.
Staring at herself in the mirror, she squared her shoulders. She didn’t need help finding a husband. She was perfectly capable of catching one on her own!
“You’re serious about this, aren’t you?” said Cat, meeting her at the top of the stairs.
“I most certainly am,” she answered. “Lord Russell is perfectly acceptable. He’s never made any secret about his liking for me, and I would be a fool not to consider him, given the circumstances.”
“And Lord Manchester?”
“What of him?”
“Harriett...”
“He offered to help me find a husband today,” she said in as casual a manner as possible.
Cat’s eyes widened. “He what?”
“Now tell me I shouldn’t consider Russell.” She was unable to conceal her bitterness.
“Oh, Harriett. I’m so sorry.”
