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His thoughts scattered at her question.“What?Why…?”He closed his mouth and took a deep breath.He winced when he saw that an acquaintance was waving him over to where he and his wife were standing next to a park bench.But this wasn’t a conversation he could leave hanging, and so he gave the man a small shrug as the carriage passed him.
He could feel Miss Trenton’s eyes boring into him.“No, of course not.I would never disrespect you in such a way.”
Mary let out a small huff of laughter, shaking her head as though unable to believe she’d actually asked him that question.
“Why would you assume that?”
The corners of her mouth turned down in a small grimace.“You can blame Amelia for that.She led me to believe that I would need to watch out for men who would make such a proposition.”
“And when I offered to set you up on one of my properties…” He shook his head.“I can see why you needed to ask, but my proposal was genuine and without any such conditions.You’re doing me the greatest of favors and putting your own future in a state of uncertainty as a result.It is the very least I can do to ensure you don’t suffer any ill outcome as a result.”
Mary’s eyes roamed over his face and he held her gaze, hoping she could see he was being genuine.
Finally, with a sigh, she smiled at him.“I accept your offer, my lord.And I must say that it will be entertaining to watch my sister tie herself up in knots this season.”
He could only shake his head.“I can’t say that I understand her obsession with me.”
“I wouldn’t call it an obsession.You represent a disappointment to her.She’d built up all manner of fairy tales in her head about you sweeping her off her feet and falling head over heels in love with her.When you enlisted instead, those dreams died.”
“I had the impression Lord Fairbanks was a good man.I hope he doesn’t mistreat her… or you, for that matter.”
“Oh no, he’s very kind.And he puts up with her ever-changing moods with greater patience than other men would.But he’s older and marrying him wasn’t quite the fairy tale she’d envisioned for herself.”
He had no answer for that, and so he let the subject of Lady Fairbanks drop.“I can’t even begin to thank you for your assistance in this matter.”
Mary smiled.“It’s no hardship, my lord.Besides, it will save me from sitting on the outer edges at all the entertainments to which Amelia intends to drag me.”
He frowned.“Why would you sit on the side?”
She huffed out a small laugh.“I’m not young nor am I pretty.And despite the fact that I’m not looking for a husband, I wasn’t looking forward to being ignored while girls much younger than me had their pick of all the men looking for brides.”
He stared at her, certain at first that she was jesting.But after several moments he realized that wasn’t the case.“I can assure you, Miss Trenton, that no one would pass you over.”
She shook her head, her light brown curls dancing about her face with the vigorous movement.“You needn’t flatter me.I’ve already agreed to help you.”
He could only wonder at why she would think herself unworthy of attention.It struck him then that if he was truly in search of a wife, she would be at the very top of that list.
Who was he trying to deceive—she would comprise the entire list.Still, he couldn’t help but wonder if her sister’s criticisms were at the root of Mary’s insecurities.
“This isn’t empty flattery.Any man would be fortunate to have you.”He winced slightly at his choice of words.“As a wife, that is.”
Mary’s mouth lifted at the corners, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she was laughing at him.“As you say, my lord.”
