Page 33 of Stealing the Rake's Heart
She did not seem chastised or apologetic in the least. “Perhaps not, but I have never been in the habit of minding my own business. People complain a great deal about me, but they rarely turn down my help. And though it may not be modest to say, my advice is seldom wrong.”
He sighed. “Alexander is acting the fool at the moment, if you must know. I wish he would marry.”
For more reasons than one. Then we would have reclaimed three quarters of our fortune.
Miss Bainbridge nodded slowly. “My mother often says I get entirely too involved in the lives of others, and that if I did not interfere, things would play out themselves quite nicely.”
He gave a short laugh. “I’ve heard that too. About myself, that is.”
She allowed herself a small, efficient smile. As far as William could tell, it was the widest she had ever smiled, and it was fairly sincere.
“Is it our fault if those around us are so consistently in need of help? No, I think not.”
It was no secret that the Bainbridges craved a title. It was no surprise that Victoria Bainbridge had come full tilt at William as soon as he inherited his dukedom. The woman was like a charging knight at a jousting match.
“I sometimes think I do more harm than good with my interference,” William admitted, shaking his head. “But I cannot simply sit back and do nothing.”
“A man like yourself has the power to do a great deal of good in the lives of his friends and family.”
William bit his lower lip, hard. “Or a great deal of harm.”
She paused, nodding slowly. “Yes, that is true.”
A short pause ensued between them. A surprisingly comfortable one, in fact. Miss Bainbridge arranged herself so that they stood side by side, as if the two of them were looking out at the crowd.
Almost as if she were the Duchess already,he thought wryly.
There was no denying that Miss Bainbridge would make a good duchess. She was clever, organized, efficient, and hard-working. She was notsoft, but William had seen what damage a weak duchess could do. She would be firm but fair with his family and manage Mary a great deal better than she was being managed now, and probably do something about Alexander into the bargain. She would organize just the right amount of gatherings, parties, and social events, everything that would be expected of a Duke and Duchess, and generally take a great many responsibilities off William’s shoulders.
They would get along nicely. Also, the Bainbridges were known to have large families and a great deal of children, so heirs would likely not be an issue. Even if they were not blessed, Henry was already married, and hopefully children would come from there.
It was a sensible option. One that William knew full well should be considered.
He knew, of course, that Miss Bainbridge did not love him. She was not pretending to love him, or to woo him, or to convince him that she had any other feelings beyond what she displayed.
In short, aside from being the richest young woman here, she was likely also the most honest.
William shifted, and the silver locket clinked gently. Or perhaps that was his imagination.
Stop it, you fool. Life is not a fairy tale.
“You are not dancing, your Grace?” Miss Bainbridge said after a while, breaking the silence. “I don’t much like dancing, but if you wish to dance, I shall dance with you.”
He smiled wryly down at her. “Thank you for your honesty. I don’t much like dancing, either. I’m allowing myself a one-two rule. I stand up for one dance, and then stay off the floor for the next two. I never dance with the same lady twice.”
“Remarkably efficient,” Miss Bainbridge observed, sounding impressed. “It’s the gentleman’s prerogative to do so, I’m afraid. Ladies such as myself must dance with whoever asks us.”
William opened his mouth, perhaps to do something foolish like ask Miss Bainbridge to dance after all.
It could be so easy. They could probably be engaged within a week or two and married in a month’s time. And then all of William’s worries would be over. He would have his own fortune, plus a part of the Bainbridge wealth and influence,andsome powerful in-laws.
Then he glimpsed a familiar face across the ballroom, hovering in one of the doorways that led out into the hall. His heart sank.
It was James, standing beside the butler. They were craning their necks, whispering urgently.
Looking for him, no doubt.
“Do excuse me, Miss Bainbridge,” he said, making a short bow. “I believe there is something important which needs my attention.”
