Page 3 of Six Nights to Marry a Marquess

His gaze wandered past her shoulder to the open French doors leading to the garden, and he decided it would be better if they discussed outside. “Would you care for a stroll around your beautiful gardens?” he proposed.

“Are you now assuming the role of host in my own home?” She seemed astounded by his audacity.

He could not help the grin that touched his lips. “I beg your pardon, Miss Young. I find gardens irresistible.”

Something flashed again in her eyes—likely an ill opinion of him, which was not surprising, given his reputation—but she stood gracefully. He gained his feet, as well, and offered her his arm. Theodore kept his gaze on the doors to keep his old habits frominterfering. It would be too easy to gaze and appreciate her. The first time he saw her was last night at a ball, but candle light had not done her justice. In day light, he could see why she garnered much attention from society. She was a beauty, but the whispers kept gentlemen from approaching her.

They stepped out into the garden, and she said, “You’re still not telling me the purpose of your visit, Lord Gillingham.”

“I see patience is not one of your talents,” he replied, hoping his light tone would break the tension forming between them.

She reacted instantly, her cheeks warming with indignation and adding a lively hue to her serene beauty. He found this striking, despite intending to keep their exchange formal.

“I’m not good at wasting time,” she retorted, locking eyes with him in a bold challenge.

Theodore chuckled at her assertive yet captivating demeanor. He was certain that she was aware of his reputation, and she did not know what to make of him or his visit “I have an offer for you, Miss Young.”

“I seem to recall you saying that you do not make an offer twice?” Her eyes gleamed with smugness as she said that.

“I’m not offering that rose again. That is gone. This is something different. An opportunity,” he replied, transforming her expression from skepticism to curiosity.

“What is this opportunity?” she asked, thinly veiling her impatience behind composure.

“A beneficial deal between us. It solves your current issue as well as mine,” he hinted.

“Issue?” Her expressive eyes flared. Theodore could tell she understood him perfectly, and she was silently challenging him to say it.

He further elaborated. “Both of our reputations, Miss Young. I need your help in securing a business deal. In return, I’ll assist you in finding a suitable match before the season’s end.”

“How could I possibly help you with that? I am not versed on the intricacies of business, My Lord.” She paused their walk and turned to face him.

“The gentleman I wish to enter into a venture with is very particular about people’s character. He believes a good man must be married—that is a sign of responsibility.” Theodore studied the consternation in her expression. Was he that horrid that the notion of marriage to him frightened her?

“I thought titles were indicative of responsibility,” she said.

“Not to this particular person. He believes marriage has a grounding effect on a man.”

Her voice shook slightly when she said, “You cannot be proposing marriage, My Lord.”

“No, I am not,” he replied, and her small shoulders immediately relaxed.

“To win his trust, we need to follow the conventional courtship rituals,” he added, noting her engaged expression.

“So you want me to play along as if we’re courting?” she concluded thoughtfully.

“Yes. A charade of sorts. We attend six events together, and by the end, I secure my deal and you find your match,” Theodore clarified concisely.

“Why me?” she asked after considering his proposition, a tone of disbelief mixing with curiosity.

“You need a way out of your predicament,” he replied sincerely. “We need each other.”

“Presumptuous of you to assume I need help with no proof at all,” she snapped back, catching Theodore off guard.

“I apologize. Perhaps ‘situation’ fits better,” he corrected.

This appeased her slightly, and the furrow in her fine brows disappeared. He found their banter amusing—Miss Young was as intriguing as she was direct.

“Most ladies would like to improve their prospects?—”

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