“I’ve asked Allen to keep an eye on him during the day while Beth is otherwise engaged. He’s a fine boy. Much like his father.”
“Temper to match?” Beth’s husband might have been Leopold’s friend, but Tobias had always been wary of the man. Had he been good to Beth while he lived?
“Not that I’ve seen so far, thankfully. In that, I believe he takes after his mother in temper. I have high hopes he’ll make something of himself when he’s grown. That reminds me, I’ve an advertisement to place for a tutor.”
“Better you than me. I think . . .” Tobias was interrupted by a coach and four drawing up before Romsey. “Who’s that now?”
Leopold hurried to the window and peeked out. “Lord Archibald and . . . Oh, he doesn’t appear to have brought his sisters, or Miss Trimble, with him today. That makes seventeen potential suitors.”
Tobias settled before the fire with a heavy heart. “How is he dressed?”
“Very well, actually. Very fine indeed.”
Tobias snorted and drained his glass. He set it carefully on the table, listening as Archibald requested a private audience with Blythe. Tobias had been right in his suspicions last night. Archibald wasn’t wasting any time in proposing to Blythe and that meant Miss Trimble was free to be pursued.
He stared at the flames crackling in the hearth. The match would be a good one for him. However, Miss Trimble could be devastated if her first love married Blythe. Perhaps he could ease Miss Trimble’s heartache by courting her, once he discovered how it should be done.
He stood and picked up the hat he’d tossed aside when he’d come downstairs. Time to do his duty and call on Miss Trimble.
“Don’t you go anywhere, sir,” Mercy scolded as she slipped into the room and left the door slightly ajar. “There are important developments occurring this morning that you should not miss.”
Tobias didn’t want to hear about Lord Archibald’s call, but he felt compelled to pretend otherwise. “Is that so?”
“Yes.” Mercy clasped her hands together. “My sister has always been well regarded and, as I hoped, her coming out of mourning yesterday has triggered the local unwed lord’s interest. But I had not anticipated such a determined crowd. I wish I could stay to hear the exchange between Lord Archibald and Blythe for I am sure, judging by his demeanor, that he is going to propose to her this very day.”
Tobias tightened his grip on the brim of his hat. “That is interesting news, but you will have to save the telling for later. I was just on my way to pay a call to Miss Trimble.”
Mercy nodded in approval. “I will. You may be certain to hear all the details later. I will not allow Blythe to leave out a single one in the telling.”
Wonderful. More torture to come. He jammed his hat upon his head and left the room. But as he tugged on his great coat as he passed the drawing room doors, Lord Archibald professed his undying love for Blythe. He gritted his teeth and stalked outside into the pouring rain. His opportunities to savor Blythe’s sweet lips were at an end.
~ * ~
Blythe stamped her foot. “My lord, allow me to tell you that you are impossibly dense.”
Lord Archibald, still kneeling upon the floor, blinked at her refusal. Finally. She had told him three times now that she couldn’t accept. What did Emma see in the fool? She pressed her hands to her cheeks. Oh, dear heavens, poor Emma. After last night’s disagreement, which Blythe hadn’t managed to patch up to her satisfaction, Emma would be utterly heartbroken.
Archibald regained his feet. “I was given to understand that you would accept my suit.”
“What?” Blythe shook her head. “I cannot imagine who told you such a falsehood, but you are entirely wrong. I’ve no wish to marry you.”
His frown would be comical if the situation wasn’t so serious. “But you’re out of mourning and I felt that we had come to know one another well enough to hope for more.”
“My lord, are you basing your proposal on a few conversations spent among company?”
“Well, yes, of course I am. Anything more would have been scandalous given your grief for the late Lord Venables. I had hoped time had healed your heart enough to accept another in his place.”
Blythe closed her eyes. When she could speak with a civil tone, she opened them. “No one will ever replace Raphael in my affections. He was an exceptional man and I miss him dearly. But it would take far more than mere conversation to change my mind on the subject and not just the surprise proposal you have offered.”
“The younger Randall said you’d not forgotten your husband, but I hated to place much store in the devil’s words.” Archibald was before her in an instant. “The current Lord Venables approves of my suit and I’ll do everything I can to convince you, you may be sure of that.”
“You spoke to my stepson?”
“Of course.” He pulled her to him roughly and planted a kiss on her lips. It was hard and lacked every tender feeling Blythe had come to expect from kisses. It was like being mauled by a wild beast.
She shoved him away and pressed her hand to her bruised lips. “Sir, you forget yourself.”
He followed her. “We would be a perfect match. Your elegance and reputation for my wealth and title. My sister’s adore you already so you have no concerns on that score.”