“My family likes you very much, Miss Trenton.They would be thrilled.”
She let out a sigh.“I’m not in town to seek a husband.Which I suppose is a good thing since no one has shown any interest in courting me.Such a ruse wouldn’t be believable.”
“That’s because those men are fools.”
She smiled up at him, but when she saw the heat in his gaze, her thoughts scattered.She’d thought he was being polite, but there was something in his expression that caused her breath to catch.Their gazes held for what seemed like an eternity before he cleared his throat and looked away.
He swept her across the outer edge of the ballroom floor as an awkward silence settled over them.When they had completed one full circuit, he spoke again.“I understand that my proposal was unexpected, and I would be in your debt.”
“Edwina would be very displeased.”
“What your sister thinks doesn’t matter.”
“That sentiment is easy for you to say.You are not beholden to her generosity for your very livelihood.”
He frowned.“You should know that you can name anything by way of repayment and it will be yours.”
She looked up at him, taking in the sincerity of his expression, and found herself tempted to agree.She couldn’t deny that she’d enjoy having this man pay court to her even if it was all for show.
She licked her lips and noticed the way Ashford’s eyes settled on her mouth before he tore his gaze away.Which of course made her think of her earlier conversation with Amelia and her sister’s criticism of her mouth.
“I will need some time to think about this.”
“Of course,” he said with a nod.“How much time do you need?Can I call on you tomorrow?”
She could just imagine the look on Edwina’s face.“My sister won’t allow us to spend time alone together so we can discuss this matter.She wouldn’t want to risk your compromising me and us being forced to marry.She still wants you for herself.”
Ashford shook his head.“You do know there was never anything between your sister and me?Yes, our families were neighbors and we knew one another when we were younger, but she hadn’t reached the age of majority when I enlisted.And she was always too… frivolous.”
Mary still remembered how Edwina had raged when Ashford enlisted.
“Besides,” he continued, “that is precisely why I’m approaching you with this proposal and not someone else.You would never betray my trust by trying to trap me into compromising you.”
“You place your trust too easily, my lord.We scarce know one another.”
He gazed down at her, his expression serious.It was almost unsettling since she was so used to his teasing.“I trust my instincts.They’ve never led me astray before, and I know they won’t do so now.”
She took a deep breath to calm her rattled nerves.She had to remind herself that she was a practical woman who wasn’t affected by Ashford’s charm.She wasn’t interested in him romantically.And she certainly wasn’t painting scenarios of wedded bliss with him in the back of her mind.
She blamed Amelia for those thoughts, however fleeting.Her friend’s very real happily-ever-after marriage was interfering with Mary’s pragmatic worldview.
“You can take me for a drive in Hyde Park tomorrow.”
He grinned, his normal irreverence back in place.“I look forward to it.”