Page 43 of A Marquess to Save Her
“I have been told so,” Louise replied.
“Young ladies should have a healthy appetite,” one of the older men said, “how else would they be healthy enough to bear heirs for their husbands?”
“You are right, Lord Mercroft,” Pembroke said.
“If there is one advice I will give eligible bachelors, it is to marry a woman who does not shy away from food,” the older man continued, “they make the best wives. After all, a scrawny bony woman is of no use to a man.”
“My Lord, young ladies should be encouraged to eat only in moderation lest they become exaggeratedly fat to the point where no bachelor finds them attractive,” a lady said.
“If I had known this would cause such a debate, I would not have commented on your appetite, my lady,” Pembroke said to Louise in a low tone.
“My Lord, you know the elders of thetonwould take any opportunity at a debate,” Louise replied, “if there is one thing they enjoy more than judging the young ones, it is arguing with one another.”
Pembroke laughed. “I had no idea you are so funny, Lady Louise,” he said. Louise did not think what she said was so funny but smiled in return. “And I mean what I said, Lady Louise,” Pembroke said, “a lady that makes the effort to eat everything on her plate is a lady that I consider elite.”
“Lord Pembroke, are you certain that is not because of the heir that such lady is to bear for you?” Louise asked, alluding to Lord Mercroft's earlier statement.
Pembroke laughed out loud, attracting judging eyes, including Callum's. Callum did not seem too impressed by their conversation, and his face and the way he glared at Pembroke said it all.
“You will put me in trouble if you keep making me laugh so loudly, Lady Louise,” Pembroke said.
“I suppose my governess was right. She would always encourage me to eat my fill, especially vegetables, and fruits. She said it makes a lady fairer and makes the brain sharper,” Louise said.
“Is that so?” Pembroke asked, “I suppose we have your Governess to thank for your extraordinary beauty and witty tongue, then.” Louise smiled.
Pembroke could keep a conversation going, and he was definitely fun to be around. Louise was elated that the man who had taken interest in her was not one of the many boring men in thetonwho would bore ladies with talks of their horses and business. She had heard stories from the other ladies, and she dreaded having to be married to a man whose presence she could not even stand.
“But of course, I know it is all lies that governesses use to get children to eat their food, especially vegetables,” Louise said.
“Are you so certain?” Pembroke said, staring at her with a quizzical look on his face.
“What, My Lord?” She asked.
Pembroke shrugged. “I could have sworn that when I was at Oxford, I learned that vegetables, in fact, contribute to a sharper brain in humans.”
Louise smiled.
“Did you really go to Oxford?”
Pembroke nodded. “Indeed. I was in Oxford to study to become a physician,” he replied.
“I do not quite understand,” Louise replied, “why did you want to become a physician when you were already the heir of Pembrook?”
“Oh!” Pembroke said, his eyes darkening slightly, “My dream was to be a physician. However, I had to come home when my brother...” He looked like he was struggling to say the next word, “...passed.”
“Oh,” Louise gasped, “I am utterly sorry about this. I…I had no idea.”
“Of course, I understand, Lady Louise,” Pembroke replied, smiling to shake away the hurt in his eyes, “I had to cut my dream of becoming a physician short but the lesson I learned in Oxford has stayed with me ever since.”
As Louise watched the Earl talk passionately about his dream, she could not help but find him intriguing. She might not find him as attractive or even interesting as Callum, but she knew he was an interesting character indeed.
“I am certain you are happier now,” Louise said.
Pembroke shrugged a dreamy look in his eyes, “I suppose I am. Nothing gives me greater joy than making my family happy and performing my responsibility as the earl.”
A man that values his family. How beautiful!“I understand how that is,” Louise replied, “ever since my papa died, I have had to step up to take care of my mama and aunt and I have enjoyed every moment of it.”
“Why, I had no idea we had so much in common, Lady Louise,” Pembroke said, smiling genuinely.
