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Chapter11
He wanted to press her for more details about her living situation, but it wasn’t his place to do so.They were on friendly terms, yes, but they weren’tfriends, per se.
“Because you have a good heart and don’t wish to see me forced into a marriage not of my own choosing?”
Mary let out an indelicate snort, then raised a hand to cover her mouth.He couldn’t hold back his own huff of amusement.
Mary dropped her hand and sighed.“As I’ve said, Edwina will be most displeased.She had her heart set on becoming your viscountess and ranted for some time when you enlisted.”
He frowned.Mary had mentioned that to him when they’d met again last summer at Lowenbrock’s estate.Their families lived close to one another and had often attended the same local events.He’d been a youth himself at the time and spent most of the year away at school.He still found it difficult to believe that Mary’s sister had been scheming to trap him into marriage before she’d even come out in society.Did all women spend their youth dreaming of their upcoming marriages?
“She’s married to Baron Fairbanks now, so what I do and who I choose to court has nothing to do with her.”
Mary tilted her head to one side and examined him.“She’ll want to murder me when I get home later.No doubt she’ll insist I dissuade you from courting me.”
A twinge of guilt pierced him at the difficult situation he was causing this woman.“Will it be that bad?”
“Bad enough, but as long as we are in town, she’ll behave.She won’t want Amelia to think she’s mistreating me.”
Which meant that wouldn’t be the case after the season was over.“I shouldn’t have asked you to do this.It is too much.”
Mary waved one hand.“On the contrary, this was precisely the push I needed to make changes in my life.”
A hint of alarm went through him.“In what way?”
“Father settled a small amount on me.I don’t know if it’s enough to live on, but I intend to make inquiries about moving into a small home of my own.I was too afraid to do so before now.Nervous about starting out alone, somewhere where I didn’t know anyone.But perhaps Amelia and her husband can help me.I’m afraid I’m at a loss as to how to proceed.”
“Let me help you.”The words were out of his mouth before he realized he’d intended to make the offer, but he wouldn’t take them back.Not just because he wanted to pay this woman back for helping him but because the very thought of Mary Trenton setting out on her own unsettled him.
“I’m sure Lord Lowenbrock wouldn’t mind, especially if Amelia asked him.He would do anything for her.And he wouldn’t need to go out of his way.I’m sure he could ask his solicitor—”
“Iwill help you, Miss Trenton.I insist.It is the very least I can do since my scheme is responsible for upsetting your entire life.”He winced at the truth of his words.She was behaving selflessly on his behalf, and it was his duty to help her.
Mary looked away, and they drove in silence for almost a full minute.Finally he couldn’t bear it any longer.“Please tell me what you’re thinking.If you’re reconsidering, I’ll understand.”He’d also be disappointed, but he wouldn’t tell her that.
She wet her lips with her tongue, and he found his eyes glued to the small movement.He hadn’t even realized she was looking at him again.He glanced away for a moment to gather his composure before meeting her gaze.
“What did you have in mind, my lord?”
There was an odd quality to her voice.Her shoulders were stiff and her voice sharper than it had been during their entire conversation.He wondered why that would be.
“I have several estates, and many have smaller houses attached to them.I’m sure we could find something that would suit you.”
“And the rent for those houses?”
He lifted one shoulder in a casual shrug.“Given the way I’m upending your life with my request, I wouldn’t expect you to pay me rent.”
She sucked in a sharp breath, causing his confusion to ratchet up another notch.
“Did I say something wrong?”
“I’m going to be direct with you, although what I need to say is something that makes me more than a little uncomfortable.”
Her nose scrunched up, and he had a difficult time concentrating on the task of driving.He couldn’t imagine why she was so upset.
“I would expect no less from you.”
She straightened her shoulders and looked him directly in the eye.“Are you asking me to be your mistress?”
