To her chagrin, Lily found herself flushing. She had not been able to forget Lord Claybourne either, but she hoped he wouldn’t divulge the reason-because he was her first romantic tryst.
Fortunately Fleur spoke before he could expound. “Even so, marriage is a serious step, my lord.”
“Indeed,” he murmured, his tone wry. “The avowed bachelor in me is trembling. But since my good friend Danvers recently wed Miss Loring’s eldest sister, I’m willing to view the marriage noose with more favor. And of course I will need heirs eventually. But the chief reason I am interested in her is that I think we might make a good match.”
Lily grimaced, not caring for the way they were discussing her as if she wasn’t even present. It was time for her to put an end to this foolishness. “You are obviously lacking in discernment, Lord Claybourne. I would make you an utterly unsuitable wife.”
He shifted his gaze to her. “How so?”
“There are numerous reasons. I am highly independent, for one thing.”
“But that is a point in your favor, since I dislike limpets. I don’t want a wife who would forever be clinging to me.”
She gave him a dulcet smile. “I daresay I would be just the opposite. I have a mind and a will of my own. And I have no intention of calling any man ‘lord and master.’”
“Nor would I expect you to. As my wife, you would be free to do as you please.”
Lily raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Anything I please?”
His own half smile was slow, direct. “Anything within reason.”
“But it is your definition of reason that counts.”
“I imagine we could set mutually agreed-upon limits to your behavior.”
“I doubt it,” she rejoined. “I don’t conform well to the dictates of society.”
“So you have told me.”
She couldn’t help but note the teasing glint in Claybourne’s eyes, which miffed her further. “Did I also tell you that I am something of a bluestocking? My sister Roslyn is the scholar in our family, but I like to study history and geography.”
“I can appreciate a well-informed intellect,” he replied, unperturbed.
Realizing she was unlikely to ever win this argument as long as Claybourne was pretending such forbearance, Lily shook her head. “It scarcely matters what you appreciate. I am not at leisure to entertain your suit. I am quite busy teaching our boarders.”
“I won’t interfere with your efforts.”
“No? I find that hard to believe.”
“As you said, it is for a worthy cause.”
Her smile turned cool. “Then you understand why I have no time to indulge your eccentric whims.”
He looked perfectly solemn except for the devils dancing in his eyes. “It is hardly eccentric for a gentleman to decide to take a wife.”
“In your case it is. You are the greatest Lothario in England.”
The marquess gave a mock wince of pain. “Your accusation is rather harsh, sweeting. I am no libertine, even though I like women exceedingly.”
“You won’t like me.”
“You are gravely mistaken if you think that.”
“I am nothing like your usual conquests.”
“Quite true. You are more thorn than rose.”
“Precisely. And I am certain you will find my tart tongue uncomfortable. I tend to speak my mind.”