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CHAPTERTHREE
Parker heldout his arm to Lady Tillie, his mouth set in a frown.
Whatever she was about to say, it was sure to be bad. He’d seen it in her eyes. The set of her chin.
The eldest Crosby sister, the one he’d come here to court, was angry with him.
Had he already ruined his chances with Tillie by giving attention to her younger sister?
His gut clenched.
The flower had been a foolish idea.
He’d just…
Well, he’d gotten caught up in the moment. Millie was incredibly beautiful and with the backdrop of the garden he’d just… He’d lost his head. He’d made a mistake that could jeopardize his future.
He hadn’t gotten caught up in an infatuation with a woman in ages. He kept his head down, kept the plow moving forward and the ledgers balanced.
“Lord Rangeley,” Tillie’s voice cut through his thoughts like the blades of the plow he’d been ruminating on.
“Lady Matilda.”
Her brows drew together. “I’d like to make a few points clear.”
He straightened, knowing very well, he wasn’t going to like whatever she had to say. “Please do.”
She hesitated. Started. Stopped. And then finally let out a long breath of air. “I don’t think we’re compatible.”
His stomach clenched. He’d failed already. He didn’t care that Tillie didn’t feel that way about him but he needed to move his lands and title forward. “No?”
“No.” She shook her head. “You like fun and wit and laughter and I like science and academic pursuit.”
He shook his head. Perhaps he should have played the rake a bit less. But it was too late now. “Opposites can often work quite well together.”
“They can. But to be completely honest, I don’t think we do.”
His teeth snapped together. “Are you looking for a love match? I confess that we don’t have one, but I could give you a great deal of what you want in life.”
She stopped then. “What do you know of what I want?”
“You want to pursue your scientific passions. As my countess, you’d be free to do as much research as you wished. I admire your sharp mind and I’d never hold you back from that.”
Her brows lifted, and for the first time, he saw the spark of understanding light her eyes. “You’re offering me a marriage of convenience.”
“I am.” Relief rushed through him. She seemed genuinely surprised and even tempted. He ignored the instinct that tugged at him to look back at Millie. He couldn’t worry about what he might give up with the possible arrangement with Tillie. Only what he’d gain.
She stopped walking, her hand coming to his arm. “Lord Rangeley.”
There was a note of resignation in her voice and all his hope whooshed from his body. “Yes?”
“It’s a tempting offer but I don’t…” She looked down the trail to where her brother stood talking to Lord Smith several feet ahead and Lady Millie stood with Lady Juliet behind. “I don’t want to marry. I’m going to move to the coast with Juliet and start a research facility.”
He blinked once, twice, attempting to understand. She was going to choose spinsterhood over being a countess? Even if he was impoverished, that was an extreme he’d not seen coming.
“I haven’t told my family yet. My mother thinks that you are my last, great hope at a decent match. While she’d never considered someone with your financial situation for Millie, for me…”
Tillie’s words tapered off but her meaning was clear. And his gut clenched to know he would never be allowed to court the younger Crosby.
