His expression sobered. “Lady Sophia spoke very softly. I couldn’t hear hardly anything she said to me over the din.”
“She’s quite shy but interesting to talk to. Ask her about her new pug when you meet with her, and her tongue will be sure to unravel. She’ll speak up about her endless love for the little beast.”
Sullivan looked at her sideways. “Beast?”
“He liked my shoes a little too well the last time we met,” she admitted sheepishly. “He nearly ruined my favorite half boots. I’m told he was very hungry that day.”
“Not well trained then,” Sullivan noted with a sour look toward her feet.
“Very young still,” Aurora explained, tucking her feet more tightly beneath her skirts.
He winced. “Like his owner.”
“Now, I know you’ve spoken of your own experiences in training your dogs and other animals. I’m sure you’ve much to discuss on that topic with her, too.”
He sighed. “I had discounted Miss Firth and Lady Sophia mostly due to their youth and inexperience of the world.”
“Then my third suggestion might be more to your taste.” She pointed to the paper, hoping to stir his interest in her last suggestion. “Lady Catherine Jagger, viscountess. Older than the other two by a few years, a widow like yourself, and with a daughter who is the sweetest, most agreeable creature.”
Lord Sullivan’s face colored. His jaw worked. “The daughter is the same age as Pip might have been this year.”
Aurora sighed. “All the more reason to consider getting to know her mother better, then. The child will need a father, someone to look up to and for protection as well.”
He folded the paper unnecessarily small and held it clasped in his hand. “So, what do you expect me to do with these women? Seduce them, too?”
Aurora nodded. “If the mood and circumstances are right, why not indulge a little before marriage? But given Miss Firth and Lady Sophia Peel are certainly innocents, you might be wise to wait a while before exploring that possibility. You would not need to be so reserved with a widow, perhaps. If she likes you and wants it, too. But if you are at all desperate for pleasures, and I suspect you are now, there is always the ladies of Bradshaw’s to entertain you at night, or by day as well.”
He gaped at her, clearly surprised by her extensive knowledge of what went on in a pleasure house like Bradshaw’s. “Is there anything about me and my life you don’t want to talk about?”
She shrugged. “I hear things. It’s impossible not to in this house. Wharton remains a member of Bradshaw’s since his marriage, as do a number of his friends. I know you attend.”
“The food is excellent, as is the company of our friends.”
“It wouldn’t hurt you,” she said softly. “To make love without affection. You might find that a little passion restores your equilibrium.”
“My equilibrium is just fine as it is.” He burst to his feet. “I know what I want, and what I don’t, without having it shoved in my face again.”
Aurora stood as well. She’d rattled him yet again, but without intending to this time. She had hoped he was open to discussing his lack of love life. “Perhaps we should call it a day.”
He turned to her slowly, face draining of color. “Forgive me. You seem to bring out the worst in my temper with these suggestions of yours.”
She smiled quickly and went to him. “There is nothing to forgive. I think this a great step forward that we can speak bluntly and honestly with each other. You have always been far too careful of the words that come out of your mouth around women. We have to be honest with each other if I am to help you make a match.”
His jaw tightened, and then he leaned close. “I still want it to be you I kiss.”
She raised her hand between them. “No.”
He held still in front of her, but his breath was fast and loud to her ears. His hand rose toward hers and hovered there, inches away from touching her fingers.
Aurora held her breath until his hand dropped away. “We will speak again in a few days. I’ll send a note with a date and location for our next discussion.”
“Very well.” And then with a strangled growl, he stalked away, closing the doors behind him, his fist clenched around the list of prospective brides she’d given him.
Aurora exhaled and bowed her head. She really hoped Sullivan might try to bed someone before they met again. He was suffering from misplaced lust. And now so was she.