Page 14 of Snowbound with the Earl
“You cannot have learned that from your father,” Swinton said. “Mr. Lincoln is known for his ability to convert other members of parliament to change their views. Do they not call him the Great Persuader?”
“Yes.” Her father was indeed the sort of man who could convince another that a red apple was actually blue. “But politics is different than matters of the heart.”
“Not really. A man may say he’s changed his vote because he wants to build consensus or because others promise him advancement for himself or funds for his county. But in the end, what a man really wants is to be liked, whether it’s by his fellows at school, in the government, or by a pretty young lady. If Foster has the sense Miss Edmonton fancies him, he’s more than likely, in my opinion, to change his mind about matrimony.”
“You have a poor opinion of your own sex if you think they are so easily swayed from their principles.”
“I speak as I see, my lady.” He urged her to be careful as they stepped off the drive and into the deeper snow of the fields beyond the house. A few yards away, the servants had placed a table with warm beverages as well as pieces of coal, old scarves and hats, and even various vegetables for use in decorating the snowmen.
“What do you see when you look at Lord Jersey and Miss Rummage?” she asked, nodding to the viscount accompanying the bluestocking.
“Jersey is looking to marry,” Swinton said. “I think you know that.”
“Why would I—”
“He’s paid you special attention. Indeed, he would be walking with you now if you but crooked a little finger at him. Alas, you have been quite standoffish with the viscount.”
“I’ve been perfectly polite.”
“Yes, but he wants to be fancied. Perhaps he believes Miss Rummage might give him more encouragement. Will she, do you think?”
“I hardly know her, so I couldn’t say.”
“You know Mr. Turlington.” Swinton nodded at the auburn-haired man who was walking with Mrs. Edmonton.
“He isnotlooking to marry,” she said with a laugh.
Swinton smiled. “He’s barely five and twenty. He’s looking for a warm bed. Do you think he will find it with Mrs. Edmonton?”
Noelle was well aware that no gentleman would have ever spoken to her so frankly if she were not a widow. One of the only advantages of her marriage was that she was treated, at least socially, like an adult who knew something of the world.
“I doubt Mrs. Edmonton will succumb to his charms. And do not look at me like that, sir. Turlington will find no refuge with me,” she said.
“You are not searching for a lover then. What about another husband?”
“No. I am quite done with marriage.”
Swinton made no reply. They had almost reached the area for snowman making when Swinton nodded at Graham and Miss Halifax. “And what’s your opinion of the earl and Miss Halifax? Do you think it a good match?”
“I wasn’t aware Evergreen was searching for a wife,” she said coldly.
“He must be,” Swinton answered either not catching her tone or attributing it to something other than her desire to avoid the topic. “He needs an heir. I can only imagine the pressure the man has been under to wed since ascending to the title.”
“And you think Miss Halifax will be his countess?”
“It’s not a bad match,” Swinton said. “She’s quiet and unassuming, and he does seem to value his books and his solitude.”
She couldn’t argue and said so.
“Still,” Swinton said, allowing the word to hang in the icy air for a moment. “I think her parents want the match more than she does. She’s barely eighteen. Evergreen must seem old to her. And one wonders...”
Noelle turned to him. “One wonders?”
He shrugged. “One wonders if Miss Halifax might come out of her shell more if she chose a husband more like Turlington or myself. With the right partner, she might overcome that shyness and become the belle of the ball.”
Noelle gave him a sideways look. “The belle of the ball? That might be a stretch.”
“Probably.” He smiled. “But mark my words, her father will have ensured she was put on Evergreen’s team today.”
