Page 65 of Her Daring Earl
“Why not?”
“Pardon me?”
“A man deserves to know why his advances are to be rejected, does he not? Your sister could do much worse than a man like me.”
“Because… because…” Because Mandrake was a bore. Because he seemed to care far more about his political leanings than he ever could a woman. Leanings that were not at all related to Fitz’s.
“I understand that we do not share many viewpoints,” Mandrake continued as though reading his thoughts. “But what we do share is the fact that we both want the very best for your sister, and I confess that I am developing feelings of… well, love toward her.”
“Love,” Fitz repeated, blinking. “You barely know her.”
“I know her enough that I respect and admire her more than any other woman. I have met many in my time and never has my heart beaten quite so surely for another.”
Fitz had to sit with that for a moment before he could respond. How could Mandrake confess to love his sister when Fitz hardly even knew what he felt for his own wife? Although, from what Mandrake had said, perhaps… just perhaps… hemight have some of those feelings himself. Which was why Mandrake couldn’t possibly know if he loved Dot or not.
He couldn’t help but realize that perhaps he was being far too stubborn in preventing his sister from receiving the advances of a man she just might actually like. Although if Lord Mandrake was interested… could others who might be a better fit also be forthcoming?
He straightened in his seat when he realized that Mandrake was still standing beside him, awaiting his response.
“I’ll tell you what, Mandrake,” he said. “If, upon my sister’s return to London, she seems interested in spending time with you, then I will allow it. I will warn you, however, that she has not been particularly interested in the courtship of any man in the past.”
“You will allow her to decide?”
“I will.”
He was not a monster – nor a hypocrite.
“Very good. Thank you, Lord Fitzroy.”
With that, Mandrake strode away, heels clicking as he went.
“What was that about?” Fitz turned to find Lord Brighton on the other side of him. Apparently, he had heard the last bit of it.
“Mandrake wants to court Dot.”
“You are going to allow it?” Brighton asked with surprise.
“I suppose,” Fitz said with a shrug as he began to arrange his belongings, but Brighton was not done with him.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” Brighton said, and Fitz noted that a few ears were turned their way. He hadn’t read any of the scandal sheets nor heard any of the gossip lately, but he could only imagine that his marriage would have been one of great interest.
“Thank you,” he said gruffly, finding that, strangely, he had no wish to speak of Eliza with any of these men, as though hewanted to protect what they had from anyone outside of their lives. “Lady Fitzroy and I are very happy.”
Which, he realized, was the truth. He was happy with Eliza, and leaving her had been more difficult than he ever could have imagined.
Brighton had an odd look about him, which Fitz assumed was due to disappointment that Eliza was no longer eligible.
“Cheer up, Brighton,” he said, unable to help the jauntiness of his smile. “There are many other lovely young ladies out there. I’m sure one of them will see past your flaws.”
He laughed at his jest, but Brighton was not entirely amused.
“Are you happy enough that you are no longer considering this bill of yours?”
“Not at all,” Fitz said, shaking his head, knowing that Brighton was a strong supporter. “She is a staunch supporter of mine and the changes I am trying to make.”
“Very good,” Brighton said, before continuing to his seat as the proceedings of the day began.
Fitz breathed a sigh of relief that Eliza was his and hadn’t entertained the idea of any other suitor – the thought of her being married to Brighton or any other man was nearly too much for him to bear.
