My Fair Lover (Legendary Lovers 5)

“Very well, then. Someone meek and mild who will do my bidding.”

She wrinkled her nose. “A biddable female. How revolting.” The glimmer of laughter that entered her eyes was reminiscent of the old Kate. “I confess disappointment, Lord Valmere. I would have expected you to favor a lady with a little spirit, but if a doormat is what you want, I will do my best to oblige.”

He leaned back in his chair, enjoying her rejoinders. “There are advantages to having an obedient wife rather than one who seeks to rule me.”

“In other words, you want someone quite unlike myself.”

“I suspect there is no one else like you,” Brandon said truthfully.

Kate gave a light shrug of her shoulders. “You would not be content with a wife like me. We are both too strong-willed ever to suit. We would forever be at loggerheads.”

“You are right. You and I would be in constant conflict.”

Her slight frown suggested she was not happy with his reply, but then her brow cleared. “You are saying that to provoke me.”

He smiled. “Only a little.”

Chuckling, Kate seemed to relax, appearing once more in control. “Take my advice, my lord, and learn to behave yourself. If you want to win a genteel bride, you cannot treat gently bred young ladies as you do me, or you will frighten them off. You cannot be overbearing, and you certainly cannot act like a heathen.”

With emphasis on the word “heathen,” she pointedly scrutinized his coat. “I will endeavor to find the perfect bride for you, but our first task should be to repair your appearance. After weeks at sea, you are in desperate need of a haircut. I intend to send you to my brother’s barber—and tailor and bootmaker as well.”

Kate rummaged through the papers on the tea table in front of her and handed him a list. “Here are their names and directions. I have alerted these particular tradesmen so they will be expecting you. If your measurements are taken before you leave to visit your new dependents in Kent, work can begin on your new wardrobe while you are away.”

Brandon studied the list, recognizing Weston, London’s premier tailor, and Toby, a superb bootmaker. “Is such haste necessary?”

“Yes. You want to make the best possible impression. Indeed, I suggest you postpone any public appearances until you have a proper wardrobe. You should probably hire a valet also, unless the late baron had one in his employ who can continue to serve you. If not, I can recommend a reputable employment agency on Bond Street.”

“You have planned thoroughly, haven’t you?”

“Not thoroughly. I haven’t had the time. But rest assured, I will. Making your formal debut in society requires a careful strategy.”

“You sound like a general conducting a campaign.”

A wry smile curved her mouth. “It is rather similar. I mean to transform you into London’s most eligible bachelor.” Her gaze again settled on his coat. “A new wardrobe will be the least of our challenges, I fear. You will have to conform to polite social strictures and cultivate a sense of decorum and disport yourself as a gentleman and develop more formal manners….”

Judging by her amusement, she was purposely exaggerating the ordeals ahead of him because she knew he disliked such trappings.

“You never objected to my manners in the past,” he pointed out.

“I made allowances and put up with you because you are American and a friend of my family, but now I mean to make you over with a new image. It will be impossible to turn you into an ideal husband otherwise.”

“You intend to emasculate me,” Brandon murmured, “by converting me into a stuffed shirt.”

“Not at all. But I cannot stress enough that you must strive to be gentle, not so forward and threatening. I have several candidates in mind, and they all have more delicate sensibilities than I.”

“I imagine so,” he said dryly. Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms over his chest. “I am intrigued to see how far you will go to change me into a namby-pamby.”

Kate laughed. “There is little danger of that.”

“But you are set on highlighting my shortcomings and overlooking my sterling qualities and manifold charms.”

Her green eyes sparkled. “Your charms, hmmm? Modesty is not your strong suit, I see.”

“You are enjoying having me at a disadvantage, aren’t you?”

“Quite. I believe it best to speak plainly.”

“Your plain speaking is one of the things I always liked about you.”