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“What did she say?”
Oliver frowned. “She refused me.”
“Thank heavens for that,” Baldwin declared.
“Why do you say that?” Oliver asked, his voice taking on an edge.
Baldwin cast him a look of exasperation. “It almost sounds as if you wanted her to accept your proposal.”
He found the fight draining out of him as he admitted, “I don’t know what I want.”
“Why did you offer for her in the first place?” Baldwin asked.
Oliver reached up and adjusted his white cravat. “I was listening to her plight about being forced to marry the Duke of Billingham,” he explained, “and the next thing I know, I was offering for her.”
“That was a foolish thing to do.”
Oliver ran a hand through his brown hair. “Don’t you think I know that?”
“The Duke of Billingham wouldn’t take kindly to you marrying his betrothed,” Baldwin said.
“I am not afraid of him.”
“Neither am I, but he is not a man that you want to aggravate.”
Oliver put his head back and looked up at the moon. “I suppose I just wanted to save Emmeline from that old, cantankerous duke.”
“Perhaps she doesn’t want saving.”
“I don’t believe that is the case,” Oliver replied, bringing his gaze back to meet his brother’s. “After all, it is either marry the duke or enter a life of servitude.”
“Then why did she turn down your offer?”
“Emmeline rejected me because I am a rake.” His words came out much harsher than he’d intended.
With a bob of his head, Baldwin replied, “This is beginning to make sense.”
“What is?”
“You were rejected by Charlotte because you were a rake, and now her cousin just did the same thing.”
“That has nothing to do with it,” he declared.
“No?” Baldwin asked. “Then, pray tell, why are you so upset that Emmeline just rejected your offer?”
“I was trying to help her,” he asserted, “but she didn’t want my help.”
“So, your pride has taken a hit.”
“Perhaps.”
Baldwin gave him a knowing look. “Did you want to be married to Emmeline, a girl that you hardly know?” he asked.
“That is not true. I am well acquainted with Emmeline,” Oliver defended. “We have always been friends.”
“Do you know her well enough to be tied to her for the rest of your days?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted honestly, “but it doesn’t matter now, does it?”
