His Perfect Bride(12)

Brianna held back, watching as her mother turned her nose up at the man.  Confident he was not the marquis, and curious as to who he was, Brianna  quickly returned to her mother's side.

"Good evening, Lady Ransley. Could I have the honor of an introduction  to your daughter?" he asked, as Brianna stepped up beside them.

Her mother paused, and Brianna wondered if she would refuse him. "Very  well. This is Lady Brianna Denton, daughter to the Earl of Ransley.  Brianna, this is Greyson Thorpe, Viscount Merrick." Her mother  introduced them, shifting uncomfortably.

"Lady Brianna, it's a pleasure to meet you," he replied, bowing over her hand. "May I have your next dance?"

She glanced down at her dance card, then back at him with a smile. "I  would be honored, Lord Merrick," Brianna agreed before her mother could  respond. "You are lucky, for my dance card is empty for this next set."

There was likely a good reason for her mother's behavior, but Brianna  could not see any harm in a simple dance. As the first notes of the  dance filled the room, she and Lord Merrick joined the other dancers. He  appeared to be heavily concentrating and his body was stiff, as if he  was not comfortable with the steps. It was unusual for someone of their  class, especially a titled lord, to be unfamiliar with the dance, and it  piqued her curiosity. Her mouth burned to ask him why, but she kept her  lips firmly together to resist the urge. Taking pity on him, she  managed to subtly help him along without the added complication of  forcing him to hold a conversation as well.         

     



 



"Thank you for the dance, Lady Brianna." Lord Merrick's voice was full  of gratitude. If it stemmed from her aid with the dance or from the  conclusion of the song, she could not be sure.

"You are very welcome." She hoped he didn't believe she thought any less of him for his lack of knowledge of the steps.

"Would you care for a stroll on the terrace?"

Brianna felt torn. He seemed to be a nice gentleman, but she had no  desire to mislead him. However, delaying her mother and the looming  introduction to the marquis remained foremost on her mind.

"That sounds lovely, for it has become rather stifling in here."

As he led her out the ornate double doors, Brianna was happy to note the  number of couples enjoying a break from the dancing. Considering her  mother's odd reaction upon their introduction, she didn't wish to be  alone with Lord Merrick.

"Have you been enjoying the Season?" he asked as they looked out over  the gardens. The hint of rose petals perfumed the cool night air, giving  a welcome relief from the ballroom.

"Yes, very much. And you?"

"It's tolerable." He dismissively waved his hand. Then he turned to her. "May I speak plainly? I do despise all the small talk."

"I don't mind." Her curiosity piqued. "I have never been one to enjoy  wasting time on pleasantries either." It was not very often a gentleman  would forgo the small things they imagined the ladies desired.

"What are your aspirations for marriage?" he asked bluntly.



Brianna's mouth popped open, but she quickly managed to compose her  face. It was not a question she anticipated being asked, especially not  from someone she had recently been introduced to.

"If you are requesting plain speaking, I'll be happy to oblige." She  waited for his nod before continuing. "I'm sorry, my lord, but I don't  have any desire to marry a viscount."

"Ah, I see. You are hoping for a higher title, perhaps a marquis?" he asked, his tone insulting.

"Please don't be offended. I'm not insulting you or your designation.  Viscount is a perfectly respectable title, and I know a great many  ladies who would be happy for an introduction. I could point out several  if you would like," she replied, wishing to remove the conversation  from herself.

His steely grey eyes continued to watch her in a very calculating  manner. She didn't have any idea as to his purpose, and she shifted,  uncomfortable under his gaze.

"If you would, please answer the question. I'm not asking for myself.  It's merely a curiosity as to how a woman chooses a gentleman. As of  yet, I have not found anyone who will tell me." His cold eyes melted a  little with his plea, and Brianna could not refuse curiosity. It had  been her constant companion and had gotten her into trouble many times.

"All right, but I can't speak for anyone, save myself. I imagine my views are not widely shared."

"That is perfectly fine. One view is more than I currently have."

"Well, I don't wish to marry a gentleman with a title at all."

His mouth dropped open, and his eyes went wide with shock. His reaction  would have been comical if she felt more at ease with him. His unsmiling  face seemed somewhat amused, and she got the feeling he wanted to  laugh. She knew her feelings were unorthodox, but she refused to be  ridiculed. Before she could open her mouth to tell him so, she felt the  presence of another person. Likely her mother had found her, and if  truth be told, she was relieved at the prospect.



"Greyson, please, I asked you to bring her out here, not upset her," Mr. Richard reprimanded from behind her.

Her body reacted to the sound of his voice, tensing in anticipation.  Turning to him, she smiled widely, as elation lightened her body. She  could not believe he had asked his friend to fetch her so he could see  her again.

"Thank you, Lady Brianna, for a very illuminating conversation," Lord Merrick said.

"You are quite welcome," she replied, trying to keep the joy at Mr.  Richard's presence out of her voice. "I hope I satisfied your  curiosity."

"You did, so much more than I anticipated. Now, if you wish, I shall leave you in Richard's capable hands."

"That would be acceptable."

"Good evening." Lord Merrick bowed and then strode away.

Brianna had never met a stranger gentleman. Shaking her head, she turned back to Mr. Richard.

"Mr. Richard, I'm pleased you were able to come."

"I did promise to see you, and I would hate to cause you to put yourself  in danger by my inattentiveness." He took her arm and expertly  navigated her down the steps, through the garden, and down a vacant  path.         

     



 

"Yes, I would seek you out again if I had to," Brianna teased with a  thoughtful expression. "I wonder. Would you do the same if you were  unable to locate me?"

He looked surprised, then contemplative. Although it was a jest, she was anxious to hear his response regardless.

"I would much prefer to prevent a potential occurrence of that, for it  would be much too dangerous for a gentleman such as I to be out so late  into the night."

"How do you intend to prevent it?" she asked, smiling widely at the absurdity.

"Simply by asking if I may call upon you?"



Brianna could not tell if he was honestly asking for her permission, or  if he was only playing the part in this pretend scenario they were  acting out. She decided she could not take the chance that he was being  sincere.

"I don't believe that would be such a good idea." She felt silly for  denying him after all the trouble she had gone through to locate him.

"Why not?" His brow furrowed in confusion. "If you don't wish for me to  call upon you, what is your interest in me?" He took a few steps away  from her, as if he didn't quite know what to make of her.

Brianna's face burned in embarrassment, while she silently cursed the confusing situation she now had to explain.

"I suppose my interest is the same as every other unmarried lady during  the Season. I simply wish to get to know you to determine if we will  suit."

"I'm not sure I understand."

"The problem does not lie with me, but with my mother. You see, she  would not approve of me becoming acquainted with you. My mother wishes  for me to marry a gentleman of a great title," she explained, hoping  being discounted for his lack of title didn't offend him.

"So, you don't share her opinion on titles?" Mr. Richard inquired with something like amusement in his voice.

"I don't. I have no desire to marry a gentleman with a title," she said  for the second time of the evening, to another stunned gentleman. Mr.  Richard stared at her with a look of both shock and amusement.

"So, you would discount perfectly acceptable gentlemen due to their title?"

"I would not say ‘discount'. It's more a question of suitability. Who is the one determining who qualifies and who does not?"

"I suppose you are right. It's an individual qualification." He nodded in agreement. "Do you think I'm suitable?"



"From what I know of you, you meet my qualifications so far." She winced. Her words came across as callous even to her.

"However, if I held a title, you would have no interest in me? Your  other conditions pale in comparison?" He slowly stalked toward her with  intent in his eyes.