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“Of not finding him attractive in the marriage bed? Very understandable.” The idea of her making love with anyone forced his hand to fist until it ached.
She nodded as if unable to say another word on the subject. Hiding her embarrassment, she sipped her tea. As she placed her cup down, she added, “He must—”
“Tolerate your smart mouth? After all, you do tend to give your opinions rather freely.”
“I can control my tongue.”
“You have never been able to with me.” He’d missed her smile the past few years. Her laugh, the way she would tilt her head and look at him. But he had to keep his mind on the present course. Find her a husband to assuage his conscience and then return to Northwood Park to live a quiet life.
“What else?”
“Well, before you interrupted me, I was about to say the man must have some intelligence to him. I should hate to feel I married a dimwitted fool.”
“Of course.” Harry already knew most of these requirements. His only issue was that he must reacquaint himself with Society life, which entailed returning to White’s to learn who was still unmarried and looking for a wife.
“And a good father,” she added. “I prefer a man who doesn’t only see their children before supper each day. He should teach them to ride and to be gentlemen. Speaking of riding, have you started to teach Charlotte yet?”
“Not yet. She is still rather young for such things. Next year, I shall buy her a pony for her birthday.”
She smiled over at him in approval. “Good.”
“I believe I know what you are looking for. I shall gather a more extensive list, and you can let me know to whom you would like an introduction.” He rose to take his leave.
“You are not leaving yet,” she said with a shake of her head. “We have not discussed what you are looking for in a wife.”
“Louisa,” he replied, staring down at her. “I am not looking for a wife.”
“Harry, you must have an heir. We both know your cousin is not the right man. He will gamble away everything your family has and then some.”
He glanced away from her, not yet ready to admit she was correct on that matter. “I will handle that.”
“Charlotte needs—”
“Enough, Louisa. I am her father, and I know what Charlotte needs. I am not marrying again.”
“Why?” she whispered in an aching tone.
“I...I just cannot.” He strode across the room, and as he reached the door, he remembered his manners. “Good afternoon, Miss Drake.”
By the time he returned home, Charlotte had discovered he’d paid a call on Louisa.
“Papa, you said we could both go,” Charlotte said in a demanding voice. “I want to see Miss Drake.”
Harry sighed and looked up at the ceiling. Were all children so difficult or just his little girl? He couldn’t explain to his daughter what seeing Louisa did to him. Charlotte only thought of her as a friend. But he had promised her they would call on Louisa.
“Charlotte, I needed to speak to her about adult things. We will pay a call on her in a few days.” And with any luck, his daughter would forget that promise and forget Louisa. Charlotte was far too taken with her.
“Thank you, Papa,” Charlotte replied, then jumped into his arms. “I love you.”
“I love you too, poppet.” He kissed her forehead and then said, “You play up here with Nurse while I finish my correspondence.”
“All right.” She tumbled out of his arms and picked up her doll.
“I will see you at supper tonight.” He had promised her that she could join him in the dining room for supper when he had no guests. Tonight, she would get to show him all the manners Nurse had taught her.
He walked back down to the study and pulled out the estate books. While he trusted his stewards, he always verified the numbers. After an hour, his eyes had blurred from s
taring at the numbers but thinking about something, or rather someone, else. With the country in mourning, he had no idea how to introduce Louisa to the men she didn’t know. The balls and soirees wouldn’t start until the end of April, and he wanted to be back at Northwood Park by then.
