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That might be true, but it had always been clear whom their father would have preferred to be the next viscount.With a nod to his sister, he took the small, wrapped box.
Clearly hoping to ease the tension between Ashford and his sister, Amelia rushed to change the subject.“We were just getting Mary ready for the season.She’ll be joining us tomorrow night at the Everly ball.”
Mary raised a brow.“Perhaps.The dress might not be ready by then.”
Amelia laughed.“I am sure that is your wish, but make no mistake.Madame Argent has a reputation of never disappointing a customer.She assured us the dress will be ready, so you’ll have no excuse to put off your return to society.”
“We’ll be there as well,” Jane said.“I’m sure my brother was also planning to attend.”
He held back his scowl.He hadn’t been planning that, but knowing his friends would also be there was inducement to go along with it.And Miss Trenton would be there to save him again from unwanted advances.“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it.”
His gaze must have settled on Mary for a fraction longer than what would be deemed appropriate because when he glanced at his sister again, there was an unmistakable gleam in her eye as she looked from Miss Trenton to him.
And that’s when he realized what he needed to do.Once again, he would need to convince Miss Trenton to come to his rescue.Only this time she wouldn’t be saving him from marriage-minded women at one ball.
The only thing that would stop his mother from parading him about town over the next few months, throwing every unmarried woman his way, would be for him to find someone with whom he didn’t mind spending time.
His gaze settled on Mary Trenton again as he realized the solution to his mother and sister’s matchmaking attempts was standing before him.
Miss Trenton could very well be his savior.He liked her well enough, found her intelligent and attractive.And above all, she considered him nothing more than a familial acquaintance.She hadn’t shown any indication she was interested in him romantically, which made her the perfect woman to court.
He just had to find a way to speak to her in private so he could beg for her assistance.Again.
She’d have nothing to gain from the arrangement.Unless… perhaps their ruse would raise her appeal in others’ eyes.Not that she would need help in that area, but men were, by their very nature, competitive.His interest in Miss Trenton could very well draw the attention of others.She could end this season betrothed.Not to him, of course, but to someone suitable.Someone worthy of her.
Did she even want to be married?It was possible she was content to continue as she was.Not everyone wed, after all.And if his parents’ marriage was anything to go by, many women would be better off without an overbearing husband driving away every joy in life.
He’d have to think about how best to approach her with his proposal.
