Baron of Bad (Lords of Scandal 5)
Page 39
te as young as your daughter but I can assure you, Grace was a handful.”
Sin smiled. “I’ve met her. I have to agree.” He cleared his throat. “And your education?”
Her gaze was still fixed somewhere below his. “I was a student as Lady Kitteridge’s School of Comportment. My marks were excellent.”
He drew in a long breath. That was excellent news. While he wished for his daughter to regain her confidence, he did not want to sacrifice her future as a lady. Much as he hated to admit it, Mary suited the position well in that regard. “Did you attend a season?”
“One,” she answered, her features tightening.
He cocked his head to the side, assessing her. “Why just one?” With her uncle being an earl, surely she could have had several. Could still decide to rejoin society and find a fitting husband.
“I was engaged to the second son of the Earl of Everly, but he was lost in the Napoleonic Wars four years ago.”
He gripped his quill harder. Bloody hell that was rough. Almost as terrible as his own story. “I’m sorry for your loss. You didn’t see fit to reenter society?”
She shook her head. “No, my lord.”
“And you’re leaving your aunt and uncle’s house because?”
Her eyes rose to his then. They crinkled at the corners in a bit of sadness. He understood it completely. His stomach tightened in understanding and, if he were honest, attraction. Not a feeling he welcomed. “My cousins have all married and no longer need a companion. I can’t justify being a dependent in my uncle’s house if I am not serving a purpose there.”
He straightened, appreciation making his chin tuck back. “Surely, he would continue to support you.”
Her delicate shoulders rose then fell. The curve of them was lovely and his fingers itched to trace their slender shape. “I’m sure he would. But I will not be a burden to my family any more than I’ve already been. I’m perfectly capable of working.”
He blinked. He had to confess, for her small stature she was decidedly determined. He liked that. Honestly, he liked her.
Which was dangerous. She’d be his employee, which meant he needed to remain detached from her. Besides, she looked strikingly like his first wife and that was the type of woman he’d never touch again.