“I know that. I am still trying to get used to being an earl, Ev. Being a husband is the last thing on my mind, quite frankly. And when I do go to London for the Season, I have no plans to wed for several years. I want to enjoy the society there. You know a pretty face has always been my weakness.”
When Ev’s face darkened, Owen added, “I will do my duty in time. A wife, however, is not a concern. Just because you seem besotted with your wife doesn’t mean I have to behave the same way.”
Ev frowned. “You don’t understand yet. Neither did I when Spence tried to tell me. Oh, I saw how in love he and Tessa were but I never dreamed of that for myself. Love wasn’t something I really believed in—until I met Addie.”
“Well, I am still part of that school of thought,” Owen declared. “I neither need nor want love, Ev. When the time comes, yes, I will do my duty. I will marry and hope my wife produces the needed heir and spare. But I am certain I will have a marriage as my parents did—as most members of thetondo. My wife and I will lead separate lives and be quite happy in doing so.”
Ev shook his head. “No, I thought the same and would have been miserable if I had wed anyone but Addie. You must open your heart, Owen, and let yourself find love. Sometimes where you least expect it. You are a good, honorable man. You will find a woman to love and keep your wedding vows. I know it.”
“Whatever you say, Ev.”
They talked a few more minutes about Danfield and his need to find a steward, with Ev promising to ask Painter, his own steward, if he knew of anyone who might serve in the same capacity for Owen. Ev left and Owen mentally rearranged his day in his head, making certain he would have time to return home and bathe before he appeared at Cliffside for tea with the new Duchess of Camden.
It had slightly surprised him when Spence wed so soon after returning to England but, then again, his longtime friend had always been the responsible type. His conversation with Ev shocked him, though. Ev had wed hastily and still showed signs of the bloom of being a newlywed. He seemed more open and relaxed than Owen had ever seen him and supposed the changes were thanks to his new wife.
Despite what Ev said, though, Owen had absolutely no plans to pursue a wife of his own when next Season arrived. It was as he said. He enjoyed the company of women. Now that he had returned to England and Polite Society, he would most certainly take advantage of that. He would flirt with all the pretty new girls making their come-outs and seek out the beautiful widows to satisfy his appetites. His father had never been faithful to his wife. Owen heard the rumors of Danbury’s infidelities throughout his school and university years. Why, the randy old goat had been seeing a woman half his age just before his death. Owen knew because his mother had written of it to him. As usual, most of her letters to her younger son voiced complaints about her husband or older son. He couldn’t remember a time when she had written him and spoken of only what she did or asked him about his time at war. Every piece of correspondence denigrated her husband and heir apparent.
Owen certainly didn’t need a wife, much less a harpy such as his mother. When the time came, he would wed a young, malleable girl making her come-out and do his duty by getting an heir off her. He had no desire to go about with stars in his eyes as Ev did or Spence seemed to do. It saddened him that his two closest friends, both having taken wives and doing the foolish thing of falling in love, would now have more in common with each other than with him. He hoped the two wives wouldn’t estrange him from Ev and Spence.
He would know more once he met the new Duchess of Camden and formed his opinion of her later today.