Page 20 of Awakening a Lord's Desires
“Yes, it is very kind of him, but I suppose Mr Merryweather trapped him in. He always loves visitors to the countryside so that he can show off his nephew, and they cannot say no.”
Matilda stifled a giggle, and then her mother came by. “Matilda, come now, we mustn’t spend the whole of the evening with our friends.”
“Lady Chatsworth,” Caroline said, and Matilda’s mother smiled at her.
“Caroline. Good to see you.”
Matilda gave her a regretful smile, and then she left with her mother. Caroline had a few moments to compose herself until Max approached her.
“Ah, Caroline, I was hoping to get to speak to you.”
Caroline jumped but quickly covered her surprise and disdain as quickly as possible. She glanced at Max.
“Oh? Why is that?”
He did look very well that night, dressed as impeccably as always with a dark coat and perfectly white cravat and shirt. His straight hair was pushed back, and she could see the sharpness of his green eyes. Yes, he looked very fine, and part of his vanity was his good looks. She could tell he’d already noted the sidelong looks the other ladies of their country party gave him.
He passed a glass of champagne into her hand. “I thought that since you know the people of this party well, you might inform me about them.”
“Inform you?”
“Yes.” He nodded and took a sip as he surveyed the group. “I know it is a rather small group, but since you know that I am looking for a wife, you could perhaps point me in the right direction. The ladies with a dowry to their name, of course.”
Caroline scoffed, amazed at his forwardness. “Surely, Penelope has already done so.”
“Of course, but she does not know the younger women as you do, and while money is essential, I should like my wife not to be entirely dull. We are to spend a lifetime together, after all.”
Caroline’s mouth fell open. She had never thought of marriage this way, and it frustrated her that so many did. When Max saw her shocked face, he chuckled.
“Surely you are old enough to know the way of the world, Caroline. You do not need to look so surprised. Marriage is essential for security and status. You will need one yourself one day. Or did you think you are exempt from such a thing?”
She gritted her teeth to keep from snarling at the man. Really, he was vile, and she wondered how her father could constantly be so calm about it all.
“I am not so very young and innocent as you think, Max. But I for one wish that marriage could also be about love and care, not simply about money.”
He turned toward her, this time pinning her with a shrewd look. It was the first time she’d seen him not smiling or attempting to be charming.
Instead, he said, “Perhaps one day, if you are ever penniless like myself, you will understand that one will do anything necessary to secure their future. Surely a woman, of all people, should understand such a thing.”
And with that, he left, looking slightly grim until he turned his eyes to another. Then, his bright, charming smile returned, and Caroline felt a shiver run down her spine. She had never liked the man, but for the first time, he had shown her his true colours. It seemed Max would really do anything to get the life he thought he so desperately deserved. Which might include attempting to marry her oldest and dearest friend with money to spare.
Chapter 21
“Dear God,” Oliver said to Charles after their hosts told them dinner was served. “I did not think that man would ever stop talking. I lost track entirely of what he was trying to say. I think it had something to do with sheep in the beginning, but then, I’m not sure what happened.”
Charles chuckled, pressing a fist to his mouth to smother it. “Yes, I know. I think I might have learned the ability to fall asleep while standing up.”
The baroness called to him, coming to stand at his side. “I wonder if you would do me the honor of escorting me into dinner, My Lord.”
“But of course, Baroness,” Charles replied, offering her his arm and letting her lead the way.
The baron found another young lady, and the party coupled off as was proper. “You are to be seated next to my stepdaughter, My Lord. I hope you will not find her too simple.”
Charles tried not to smile too large or show just what excitement he felt at the luck he’d just received.
“She has been to London, of course, but she does prefer the country so, and I fear it has roughened her manners ever so slightly.”
Charles replied, a little annoyed at her stepmother’s assessment of Miss Caroline. “Not at all, Madam. I have met the young woman, and she is everything proper and correct.”
