“What fool said that?” he asked, appalled. “That seems like a most impractical thing.”
“But I know you not at all,” she said. “And yet I’m going to marry you quickly, at your request. I’m trying to be optimistic.”
He scowled. “I see. But I feel I must point out, you have your opinions about me, do you not, from the newssheets and the gossip that you’ve heard? You were most firm in your opinions earlier regarding what you knew about me.”
“Yes, but you said that I shouldn’t believe a single one of those items. Should I not, or should I?”
“To your confession, madam,” he said, clearly not wishing to discuss the nuances of his reputation at present.
She gave a tight nod. It was true. She really wouldn’t know what to believe anyway, except for the fact that Ferber had said such good things about him.
And then she said, “My butler vouched for you.”
It was his turn to sputter his brandy-laced coffee. He sat up like a shot and grabbed for a napkin. “And that is why you’re willing to marry me?” A laugh rippled from him as he mopped his spilled drink.
“Yes,” she replied factually, feeling a bit better at the sight of his clumsiness. He wasn’t entirely perfect, then.
“Actually,” he said, eyeing her with fresh admiration, “that’s quite wise.”
“Thank you,” she said. “My next confession—”
“There’s more than one?” He sighed.
“Shush,” she breathed.
His eyes widened, but she paid it no attention as she continued, “I never intended to marry at all.”
He stilled, whether overcome at her shushing or declaration. It was hard to tell. “Truly?” he queried.
“Yes,” she said. “I had no intention of taking up the vows of marriage.”
“Don’t tell me you had plans of taking up the vow of a nun?” he drawled.
“No!” she exclaimed, horrified. “I do not have patience for such sisterly activities. I could not spend that much time upon my knees.”
A strange look overtook his face. He caught it, swallowed, then said, “I understand. Such devotion can be challenging for anyone. But I will tell you that to be on one’s knees is not necessarily an unpleasant thing.”
She frowned. “You are making a joke that I do not understand.”
“Forgive me,” he said. “I do not mean to be rude. And if you wish me to increase your education on this point, I will.”
“No,” she said. “Thank you. Bounder that you are, I do not think you should educate me on almost anything. You, sir, have little to teach that I wish to learn, even if Ferber says you are a fine fellow.”
“Can one be both a bounder and a fine fellow?” he teased.
“Apparently,” she allowed. “Now, onto the most important thing.”
He nodded, eyes wide, giving her his full attention.
Her heart began to pound, and her insides knotted. If she married him, and she felt she must, he would have so much control over her future. “My intention is to devote myself to the antiquities and artifacts of the burial mounds found throughout the country. I’m particularly interested in Viking and Saxon burials. And I would like to go to Italy one day and see Pompeii.”
“You would?” he asked, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
“Yes,” she breathed.
“Your lifelong passion is with things that are buried in the ground.”
She frowned. “When you put it like that, it does sound rather odd.”