“That’s what you were thinking of?” he asked with obvious disbelief in his voice.
“Y—Yes.”
“Indeed. I don’t believe I have much choice in who will suit me. As long as she is pleasant enough, she will have to do.”
Jennette closed her eyes as guilt struck her like a stone to her head. “I never wanted this for you, Matthew.”
“I know, Jennette.”
If she didn’t get the subject changed quickly, she would be in tears. And she had shed enough tears for a lifetime. “Tell me how you will get your estate profitable again.”
Matthew’s head tilted back against the leather as he looked up at the coffered ceiling. “Well, just getting the weather to cooperate would be a big help. This damned cold is not making my tenants’ lives any easier.”
“But you can’t control the weather so what other choices do you have?”
“Honestly, once my father’s debts are paid the estates will become profitable very quickly.”
Jennette’s mouth gaped. “I thought the problems stemmed from the estates being mismanaged and your father’s debts just exacerbated the issues.”
He leaned forward. “Oh, the estates were definitely mismanaged. Money that should have gone back into maintenance and educating the tenants on new agricultural processes went to the gaming hells.”
“I’m sorry, Matthew,” she whispered. “I would truly like to help you.”
“By introducing me to Mary, you have helped me.”
And pierced her own heart. The more time she spent with him, the more she liked him as a person. She understood why he and John had been such good friends. They’d had much in common.
“If there is anything else I can do.”
A long pause split the room. She was certain he was thinking money.
“I would truly like to assist you, Matthew.”
“We have discussed this before. I won’t take your money, Jennette.” He placed the glass on the table
next to him and stood. “Before I forget, have a care with Huntley.”
“I have already been warned about Huntley.”
“Good. I’m glad your brother had the sense—”
“Nicholas told me, not Banning.”
“Oh,” he muttered. “Good night, then.”
Watching the fabric of his tight breeches stretch across his derrière, she realized she should correct his misassumption. But for some odd reason, she liked the idea that he seemed slightly jealous of her friendship with Nicholas.
Chapter 12
Anthony Somerton scrutinized the crowded room. Jennette stood against the wall with Lady Elizabeth and Avis Copley—or rather Lady Selby as she was now. Damn that Sophie. Just speak of Blackburn kindly, she’d said. And if possible, get them alone together.
How the bloody hell was he supposed to get Jennette away from her friends to spend time with Blackburn?
He couldn’t walk up and ask her to ride with him. As much as he and Selby seemed to have a friendly understanding now, Anthony knew Selby would never want him speaking with his sister.
When had he become a bloody matchmaker? So he had helped Avis and Banning in some small manner. That didn’t make him a marriage broker.
“Morning, Somerton.” A large hand patted him on the back.