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“It is, ah, about my brother, Your Grace.”
“The French speaking gentleman?”
Mr. Carmichael nodded.
“And I do apologise for his presumptuousness. My brother is obsessed with all things French and enamoured with showing off.”
Ellie scrunched her nose.
“He wasn’t presumptuous. I simply didn’t appreciate the opportunity to further illuminate my failings to the Dowager.”
“She cannot be an easy relation to have.”
Ellie laughed, for the Dowager had ordered Lizzy May kidnapped last winter to try to prevent the Duke from wedding her, something very few people knew.
“You have no notion how accurate you are.”
Mr. Carmichael smiled again, emphasising the perfection of his mouth, the strong line of his jaw.
“Perhaps someday you can illuminate me, but for now, about my brother?”
“I beg your pardon. I assumed you’d come to apologise for his making visible my lack of proper feminine achievements.”
“I would prefer that to be the case, but no.” He swallowed. “I’d rather speak on my brother’s lack of proper gentlemanly behaviour.”
Ellie frowned.
“Hadn’t we been?”
“Somewhat.” Mr. Carmichael pushed his glasses up on his nose again. “You see, he’s set his sights on your youngest sister.”
“So I gathered.” Ellie knew her tone fell flat. All gentlemen liked Marie.
“You should know that he is entirely wrong for her. He wouldn’t suit at all.”
“Oh dear,” Ellie breathed, comprehending Mr. Carmichael’s sudden nervousness. “You’re infatuated with Marie.”
Mr. Carmichael stared at her. “I beg your pardon?”
“You want me to warn her off your brother so you can court her.” Ellie’s heart constricted for him. Mr. Carmichael seemed so sweet, with his spectacles and his hesitant smile. Marie wouldn’t notice him in a crowd of one, and Ellie wouldn’t want her to. Mr. Carmichael obviously deserved someone as kind and sensible as he was. “I do not mean to be cruel, but you are not her sort of gentleman.”
He shook his head.
“I’ve not had the pleasure of her acquaintance, but from what little I know of your sister, if you’ll forgive me saying as much, nor is she my, ah, sort of young lady. I simply and truly mean that my brother would not be a good match for her.”
Ellie studied him. He had wavy, sandy brown hair, several shades lighter than his older brother’s. Serious hazel eyes met her gaze from behind the round lenses of his glasses, which only added to his staid demeanour. Such a handsome face coupled with his obvious earnestness sent a delightful flutter through her and she felt very inclined to believe him, but his reasoning eluded her.
“If you do not fancy Marie, why are you so certain that your brother should not court her? They seem well matched to me.”
Loud, exuberant, and not very considerate of others.
“He simply wants her for her connection to you and His Grace.”
Marie wouldn’t like that but, “Many marriages are born of the need for connections or funds.”
Mr. Carmichael twined long fingers together, a line of thought creasing his brow.
“How can I put this delicately?”
