Page 9 of The Wallflower's Choice
“Not troubled, no,” came the slow reply, as Lord Kingshill looked at him thoughtfully. “Though I confess that I am rather surprised that you would think to speak to this young lady in such a way, without my agreement.”
“Oh.” James hesitated, his eyebrows drawing together. “My dear friend, I did not think that there was any such thing required from you. You had already accepted my offer of help and–”
“Yes, but that did not mean that I had granted you permission to tell any young lady you pleased about my decision and my requirements!” Lord Kingshill exclaimed, his face coloring just a little. “No doubt she is now going about London, telling all and sundry about this strange gentleman who has come up to her and, on his friend’s behalf, practically offering her a betrothal!”
James shook his head.
“I did no such thing, and it is not as severe as you might think,” he said, firmly. “First of all, I did not tell the young lady your name, nor did I ever once suggest that you and she might become betrothed. All I said was that I had a friend who was looking for a suitable match and might very well be interested in courting her.”
His shoulders lifted, though his spirits dropped, having expected his friend to be delighted with all that James had done.
Lord Kingshill threw back the rest of his brandy and then shook his head.
“It is all a little unexpected.” He shot James a sidelong glance. “Though I must say, now that I consider it, I suppose that I should feel some gratitude.”
A little relieved, James managed to smile.
“It would be appreciated, yes. I–”
“I should ask,” Lord Kingshill interrupted, before James had even finished speaking, “is there some reason that this young lady has not found a suitable match as yet?” His eyes suddenly flared wide. “Is it because she is ugly? Is she dreadfully plain?”
Considering for a moment, James was quick to reassure his friend.
“No, indeed not. I think, if I am to be honest, that she is very lovely indeed.”
“Oh?”
James nodded, bringing the young Lady Prudence to mind. “She is lovely, with a gentle figure, a softness about her lips, vivid green eyes that remind me of the great oak’s leaves on a fine summer’s day, and brown hair which – "
“Which reminds you of the trunk of said oak tree?” Lord Kingshill interrupted though, this time, much to James’ relief, there was a quirk to his lips. “You do not have to paint a very fine picture of this lady, my friend. I believe you. If you say that she is not plain, then she is not plain. She will be pretty enough for me.” He reached for his brandy glass, only to seem to recall that it was empty, and set it down on the table beside them with a scowl darkening his features. “I shall ask again, however, what it is that has prevented her from making a match thus far?” As he spoke, his expression grew serious all over again. “There mustbe some reason that a young lady of thetonhas not made a betrothal as yet, especially if this is not her first Season.”
He looked at James with a slightly lifted eyebrow and James nodded.
“I presume it is not. She certainly does not seem a green girl.”
“A spinster then?”
James shook his head.
“No, not yet, though mayhap that will come soon should she not find a suitable match.”
“Which is why she is now willing to marry anyone she can,” Lord Kingshill finished for James, who smiled his relief at his friend’s understanding.
“Yes, precisely.” James tilted his head. “Andshe is the daughter of an Earl. So it is no great step down for you either!”
Slowly, Lord Kingshill began to nod, and James’ hopes began to rise.
“So she is not plain, there is nothing untoward about her, and she has no dreadful rumors pinned to her name.”
Inwardly, James hesitated though, outwardly, he shook his head.
“No, of course not.”
That was one thing he had not thought about, he realized. He had not wondered if there was a reasonwhythis particular lady was a spinster. She was pretty enough and, as he had just said to Lord Kingshill, the daughter of an Earl. So whywasshe a spinster?
I shall resolve to find out,James decided, as his friend began to consider aloud as to whether it would be wise to pursue this particular lady.Though, even if there are rumors or gossip or the like, it is not as though Lord Kingshill has a perfect reputation!
“Will you introduce me to her, then?”
