“I see. And will this preference of yours continue after you’ve married our daughter?”
Matthew frowned. “I don’t intend to keep her locked up, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Dear me, I should hope not,” Lady Roxley muttered. She took a sip from the generous glass of brandy she’d served herself earlier.
“Naturally, you will be welcome in our home,” Matthew said in the hope of squashing this strange concern. “She is your daughter, after all. If you’d like a gate in the fence between our properties, that can be arranged too.”
“Really?” Lady Roxley didn’t sound the least bit convinced.
Matthew sighed and decided it was time for a very large gulp of brandy. He savored the heat and spicy flavor along with the soothing languor that followed. “I’m not a horrible person. If I’ve given that impression by not accepting your invitations over the years, then I apologize. Truth is, I have a select group of friends I favor.” When Lord Roxley merely raised an eyebrow, Matthew said, “I’ve been watching your daughter a great deal lately.”
An immediate frown appeared on the viscount’s forehead. “I beg your pardon?”
And so he should. Somehow, the statement, once spoken out loud, did not sound as complimentary as Matthew imagined it would. Rather, it portrayed him as some sort of lurking lecher with ulterior motives.
He decided to try again. “Two years ago, when I began considering marriage, I started taking greater note of the available ladies. After much consideration and having dismissed almost every potential candidate, I concluded that your daughter, Miss Townsbridge, would make me the perfect wife and duchess.”
“And you concluded this when, exactly?” Lord Roxley asked.
“Earlier today.” When both parents gaped at him as if he were daft, he added, “When I realized I might lose my chance. Hence the hasty proposal.”
“Of course,” Lady Roxley managed. She took another sip of her drink before handing the glass to her husband, who took several gulps. “That explains everything.”
“I think so,” Matthew agreed. He’d surveyed his options and after extensive consideration, he’d picked the best one - a sensible woman who turned down sugary treats and liked to take long walks. Miss Townsbridge had an abundance of energy, which would be put to good use when it came to raising his children. Also, her looks were pleasing enough that bedding her wouldn’t prove any particular hardship. But most importantly, she was an introvert - the quiet sort who liked to be alone with her thoughts, which meant she would be content by herself, which also meant there would be no chance of their becoming attached to each other or, God forbid, falling in love. For that to occur, they would have to spend time together, enjoy common interests, forge an unbreakable bond.
He’d gouge out his own damn eyes before he allowed that to happen.
But since he doubted her parents would appreciate hearing about his plan to spend no more time with his wife than what was required in order to successfully procreate, he decided to spare them those details. Instead, he said, “As I understand it, most young ladies aspire to marry well. Indeed, I have been chased and harassed for years by women hoping to take my name and title. In marrying me, your daughter will be well looked after. My intention is to bestow a yearly allowance of one thousand pounds upon her, to do with as she pleases. Aside from this, she may choose to divide her time between any one of my four estates, renovating them to her heart’s desire, or simply enjoying the pleasure of hosting extravagant parties. In short, she’ll never want for anything.”
Lady Roxley narrowed her gaze upon him then. “What about happiness?”
“Happiness?” Matthew spoke the word as if it were poisoned. Christ. The emotion was so damn foreign to him, it felt like it belonged in a dream he’d once had as a child. Shuddering, he looked the viscountess squarely in the eye. “I’ll do my best.”
She stared at him with unflinching scrutiny. “It won’t be enough. Whatever it is you have in mind for Sarah, it won’t be enough. Not without love.”
And there it was. The one thing he couldn’t provide. “She will have children and security along with one of England’s most prestigious titles. The world will be at her feet. Just think of all the good she can do with her influence.”
“We will certainly pass these points along to her,” Lord Roxley said, “but we have no intention of trying to push her into a marriage she does not want simply because you happen to be a duke. If that is all, I believe I’d like to have some luncheon before I depart for my club. Good day, Lord Brunswick.”
Stunned, Matthew left the Roxleys and walked the short distance to his house next door. Once again, he’d been dismissed, this time by Miss Townsbridge’s parents. He entered his foyer and handed his hat and gloves to Friederichsen, his butler, before continuing into his study. There, he slumped into the chair he’d bought when he’d moved in. Staring into the emptiness around him, he made his decision. He would not let two years of careful deliberation go to waste. Tomorrow he’d buy a big expensive bouquet of flowers and do his utmost to make Miss Townsbridge see reason.
SARAH WASN’T PRONE to anger, so feeling as though her head might explode was a rather distressing experience. Unsure what to do with her emotions, she paced her bedchamber floor while recounting each detail of the horrendous morning to her younger sister, Athena. “Naturally, none of the gentlemen had any interest in me after that,” she huffed.
“I’m sorry,” Athena said.
“Can you imagine? The blasted man had the gall to assume I’d fall into his arms with a sigh of pleasure and a thousand thanks for honoring me with his oh-so-magnificent attention.” She made a gagging gesture, at which point her mother cleared her throat to announce her presence.
Sarah turned and gave her a blank look. She would not apologize for making fun of a man who continued to prove how awful he was.
“Luncheon will soon be served on the terrace,” Lady Roxley said, “but first, I’d like to have a word with you alone, Sarah. In private.”
Athena hopped off the bed with a thank-you-for-saving-me look directed at their mother and was gone before Sarah could blink. Her mother closed the door and directed her full attention toward Sarah. “Your father and I had a long talk with Brunswick.”
“Oh no.” Sarah took an instinctive step back. “Please don’t tell me you’ve promised him I’ll accompany him on some outing or entertain him for tea or–”
“Of course not, but since he is a duke and he did propose, it would have been wrong of us not to hear him out. In the end we made it clear that we would support you in whatever decision you make for your future - that we’d never insist you marry a man you don’t like just because he happens to have a desirable title.”
Sarah blinked. “You told him that?”
“Actually, your father did. He may have phrased it differently but the duke got the message, I assure you.”
Relief swept through Sarah. She sank down onto the edge of her bed. “So then that’s the end of it?”
“Unless he decides to try his luck again, which I seriously doubt. Or unless you change your mind.”