“So will you accompany me on a ride, Drew?” Eleanor entreated.
He narrowed his gaze on her. Eleanor was a significant heiress who boasted both remarkable beauty and a lively, engaging personality, so she had no shortage of gentlemen who could take her riding. “Why me? You have a dozen beaux who can escort you.”
“But I am weary of them all, and I want you. I sent you a message this morning, but you didn’t reply, so I came in person to persuade you. I knew you couldn’t resist a personal plea.”
Settling in a comfortable leather couch, Drew smiled suspiciously at her. “Why don’t I believe you? Coercing me into acting your escort isn’t the only reason you called, is it?”
Eleanor dimpled impishly at him as she sank into her favorite chair. “Well, actually…I wondered how your betrothal is proceeding. Everyone is quizzing me about it-indeed, all London is talking about it, although the amazement is somewhat lessened since Marcus already wed the eldest Loring sister. But I’ve had no chance to discuss it with you since I heard the news. You were away from home the past two days visiting your mother, and there was no opportunity for a private word last night at Lady Freemantle’s dinner.”
His smile ebbed a little. “You know I don’t discuss my personal affairs with anyone.”
“Except Marcus and Heath, and they are both away. I am offering myself as their surrogate.” When he didn’t reply, Eleanor studied him. “I was quite astonished that you proposed to Roslyn, particularly since you were railing against the abruptness of Marcus’s marriage barely a fortnight ago. Do you truly want to wed her? Have you developed a tendre for her, Drew?”
He kept his expression bland. “My feelings for her are private, minx. I won’t share them with anyone, not even you.”
“Perhaps you should. I expect I could help you.”
“I don’t need your help.”
“Come now, Drew…I have already begun. I sang your praises to Roslyn last night quite fulsomely. But now I feel the need to offer you some sisterly advice.”
As the humor of Eleanor’s offer struck him, Drew shook his head wryly. “There are too many matchmakers overseeing our courtship as it is. Besides, you are hardly one to advise me on my betrothal. You’ve had two broken engagements since your comeout, and you are responsible for both.”
“But I broke those for good reason. And I think that makes me something of an expert on betrothals. You really should learn from my experience.”
“Just what do you think I can I learn from you, minx?”
“I’m sure there is something. If nothing else, I can tell you how Roslyn might think. I am a woman, so I can give you a woman’s perspective.”
She did have a point, Drew mused. Only a short while ago, he’d concluded that his courtship of Roslyn wasn’t working and that he would have to try and win her heart if he wanted her to go through with marriage to him.
Leaning back, he crossed his arms over his chest. “So tell me how I can make her fall in love with me.”
Eleanor’s eyes widened. “I thought you didn’t believe in love.”
“I don’t. But Roslyn does. And she doesn’t want to marry unless it’s a love match. Our betrothal will allow me time to court her formally, but I need to do more than that.”
“How does she feel about you, Drew? She doesn’t appear to be in love with you yet, or at least she didn’t seem eager to set a date for the wedding.”
“She isn’t. I suspect she will be happy for any excuse to call off the engagement.”
“Do you think you could ever love her?” Eleanor asked curiously.
That wasn’t a question he could answer, since he wasn’t certain he was even capable of love. “I don’t know,” he replied finally.
“Hmm,” Eleanor murmured, her countenance thoughtful. “So why do you suppose she doesn’t love you yet?”
“I don’t know the answer to that, either.”
“I expect it’s because you treat her like one of your highflyers.”
That was precisely what he’d done, Drew admitted. His relationship with Roslyn had begun when he’d mistaken her for a Cyprian, and all his tutoring had been designed to teach her how to become an even better one.
Seeing his arrested expression, Eleanor crowed softly. “I am right. You have been trying to seduce her instead of court her.”
Drew frowned. “What if I have?”
“Well, it makes all the difference. If you seriously want to woo her, then you are going about it all the wrong way.”