Roslyn smiled back at him. The wine was succeeding in relaxing her somewhat, so she wasn’t quite as unnerved by Arden’s nearness. But it still was deplorable the way her pulse reacted to him. It was a purely physical response, of course. Her emotions were not engaged in the least. She wasn’t even sure she
She was glad when he changed the subject, even though the one he chose was just as provoking.
“Marcus told me of your bluestocking tendencies,” Arden said, studying her. “And Eleanor says that you read Latin. I confess I find it surprising.”
“Why?” Roslyn queried. “You don’t believe women should be educated in masculine disciplines?”
“No, I just wonder at your having such an unusual interest. You don’t look to be the scholarly type.”
Her smile this time was cool. “Many people mistakenly leap to that conclusion. They take one look at me and assume I don’t have a mind. You did yourself the night we first met. Your proposition was based entirely on my appearance.”
“Not entirely. Your wit appealed to me, too.”
She laughed at that. “You had no chance to determine my wit before you offered to make me your mistress.”
“I believe the circumstances justified my assumption about you,” Arden said amiably. “I thought you a courtesan.”
“But even men who know that I am a lady rarely look beneath the surface.”
“So you consider your beauty a disadvantage rather than an attribute?” he clarified, his tone skeptical.
Her smile turned strained. “It frequently is. No woman wants to be plain, of course, but beauty can make one a target for the worst sort of reprobates.”
“Marcus said a wastrel recently pursued you.”
Her brows drew together as she eyed Arden. “You seem to have discussed a great deal about me with Marcus.”
“Not a great deal. He volunteered the information several months ago when he was lamenting inheriting responsibility for you and your sisters.”
Roslyn squared her shoulders. “Well, I have been propositioned too many times for comfort. But
The gleam of amusement in Arden’s eyes only deepened. “And your proposition entails marriage.”
“Indeed. I intend to find a husband who can love me for myself, not for something so superficial as my appearance.”
She stared at Arden defiantly, expecting him to say something cutting, but he merely took a swallow of wine.
“Why choose Haviland?” he finally asked.
“Because I think he would make an ideal husband for me.”
The duke responded with a sardonic lift of one eyebrow. “How so?”
“For one thing, he doesn’t see me as a featherhead or an object to covet. And I sincerely like him. He is intelligent and kind, and he shares my sense of the absurd. What’s more, he enjoys children and treats his elderly grandmother with affection. He doesn’t feel compelled, either, to prostrate himself before society’s dictates, which could prove beneficial for me. Given Haviland’s rebellious streak, he should be more amenable than most noblemen to having a countess tainted by family scandal.”
“It isn’t just his wealth and title that appeal to you?”
Roslyn shook her head firmly. “Wealth and title don’t make a man admirable, your grace. Lord Haviland gave up an exciting career to fulfill his familial obligations. I admire his willingness to sacrifice, to put his responsibilities over his own personal desires.”
“You expect me to believe you aren’t the least interested in his fortune?”
She eyed the duke with exasperation, realizing he was determined to think the worst of her. “You may believe whatever you like, but I don’t consider wealth a qualification for happiness, at least not if one has enough income to subsist on.” She gave a wry smile. “Four years ago the issue was in question. I thought I might have to accept a marriage of convenience in order to protect my sisters. We were penniless and disgraced and dependent on our step-uncle for our very existence. I was prepared to marry to spare my sisters having to do so if necessary. But thankfully Arabella soon hit upon the idea of starting our academy, and Lady Freemantle willingly funded the endeavor. She employed us to design the buildings and curriculum. And once our doors opened seven months later it allowed us the financial independence to choose our own futures.”
“But Marcus has provided amply for you now. I understand that you needn’t marry at all if you don’t wish to.”
“But I
Arden’s mouth twisted. “How positively dull that sounds.”
Roslyn smiled. “Perhaps so, but I expect I will cherish it.”
“Passion isn’t a requirement in your marriage?”
She felt her face warm. “Passion would be agreeable but it isn’t critical. What I want more is fidelity.” When he raised an eyebrow, waiting for an explanation, she gave him one. “You may have heard that my father had countless mistresses. He made my mother’s life miserable…left her so hurt and humiliated that she took her own lover. I could never accept such blithe attitudes toward affairs and infidelities in my marriage. A husband who loves me will be less likely to stray from the marriage bed.”
“And you think you can make Haviland fall in love with you?”
“I hope so. I would never marry him otherwise.”
Drew stared at her for a long moment, taking in her earnest expression, the solemnity in her blue eyes. The sincerity in her arguments rang true, he conceded. Perhaps Roslyn Loring was not really as mercenary as he’d presumed. She simply had developed a logical, rational plan to go after what she wanted.
He had to admire her determination to take charge of her own fate, at least.
“You have obviously given this careful thought,” he finally said.
“I have,” Roslyn agreed, her beautiful features relaxing.
Tearing his gaze away, Drew drained his wineglass. He couldn’t imagine why an image of vulnerability kept flitting through his mind when he looked at her, since Roslyn seemed to be one of the more capable women he had ever met. Perhaps because Marcus had told him how she’d had to fight off more than one eager admirer. Her exquisite beauty, combined with her lack of fortune and her former guardian’s indifference, would make her the target of rakes and scoundrels. Which was why she had reacted so scornfully to his own improper offer, Drew suspected.
Feeling rather contradictory emotions toward her, he rose and crossed the room to refill their wineglasses. When he returned, he handed Roslyn hers but remained standing.
She thanked him and then offered him a rueful smile. “I hope you will forgive Lady Freemantle for her plotting. She means well. Now that Arabella is wed, she hopes to see Lily and me well settled. But her desire to matchmake is not driven by any avaricious motives. Winifred really is a romantic at heart.”
“As are you, it would seem,” Drew replied, his tone sardonic.
“Yes, and you are a complete cynic,” Roslyn said sweetly. “I can comprehend why, since so many women have hounded you, trying to ensnare you in matrimony. But I trust you will acquit me of having designs on you.” The teasing light in her eyes brightened. “You needn’t worry, your grace. I have no intention of joining the leagues of love-smitten females in a contest for your hand.”
Drew gave a rough chuckle. “They are hardly love-smitten. Obsessed with rank and fortune is a more apt description. They all see wealthy members of the peerage as potential marks.”
“I assure you, I do not. I have absolutely no desire to marry you-
He couldn’t help but grin. “Your adamant rejection that night was rather insulting to my vanity.”
Her laugh was soft and light. “I doubt your vanity suffered too greatly. You expected me to leap at your offer, I know, but my refusal was no reflection on your qualifications as a potential patron.”
Bemused, Drew watched as she raised her glass to her lips to drink. He wasn’t sure at what point he had let himself be charmed by Roslyn Loring, but he was-intensely. Despite his determination, he found himself enchanted
