Lord Williams’s frown deepened. “Perhaps for you.”
I raised my brows in polite question.
“He didn’t wish to come,” Mr. Northam confided. “He detests social gatherings of this kind. Something to do with his title and scheming young women.”
I nodded. “A bachelor with a title. I understand perfectly.”
Mr. Northam shook his head as though his cousin’s predicament was to be pitied. “He compounds the problem of his own volition. I have told him time and again to simply offer for a young lady and be done with it.”
“My cousin is a romantic,” Lord Williams said sarcastically.
“Romance is highly overrated,” I replied. “You are more likely to find happiness following your cousin’s advice than in the modern sentiment of following your heart.”
“Was it your own broken heart Mrs. Hickmore spoke of, then?” Mr. Northam asked.
“Northam,” Lord Williams chastised.
Mr. Northam smiled at me. It was a magnificent smile, no doubt used upon many occasions to beg his pardon. “I do apologize, Miss Brinton. That was very ill-mannered of me.”
It was ill-mannered of him, but at least he did not hide who he was. “Your question was honest and direct, two traits I admire.” Two traits more people would do well to develop.
“So, you will answer the question?” Mr. Northam asked.
I smiled. “No.”
“No, you will not answer, or no, you do not come to this party bearing a broken heart?”
“Really, Northam,” Lord Williams broke in. “Do leave the lady alone.”
Mr. Northam’s attention shifted to him. “If she wanted to be left alone, she wouldn’t be here.”
“But I doubt she thought she’d be harassed by the likes of you all evening.”
“And you think she’d rather enjoy your company than mine?” Mr. Northam met my gaze. “My cousin and I have something of a long-standing dispute, and I believe you may be the perfect person to answer it for us.”
“Northam.” Lord Williams sounded irritated.
Mr. Northam pressed on. “He argues that women prefer a man of manners and good breeding, and that is why women flock to him. I argue that it is only because of his title that anyone shows any interest in such a tedious and tiresome person. What is your opinion on the matter?”
Lord Williams carefully set his spoon down. “You must excuse my cousin, Miss Brinton. He is worse than usual this evening, and I apologize that you are bearing the brunt of his beastliness.”
Mr. Northam didn’t seem disconcerted by his cousin in the least. “Attempting to contain what he terms my ‘beastliness’ is the only reason he’s in attendance, much to the disappointment of many young women who rather hope to catch his eye—and his title.”
“To be sure,” Lord Williams said, the sarcasm returning to his voice.
“And will we count you among those disappointed, Miss Brinton?” Mr. Northam asked.
They both seemed to wait for an answer. I set my spoon down. It was best to be clear about my intentions from the beginning; there was no point wasting time. “I am not in attendance seeking a title, a heart, or anything similar to romance. So, no, I will not be among the throng pestering his lordship for attention. Yet to answer the other part of the question . . .” I took a breath. “I sincerely hope that I will not leave disappointed. Indeed, I am full of hope that I may be counted among Mrs. Hickmore’s success stories by the end of the week.”
Lord Williams studied me a moment before raising his gaze to his cousin. Again something passed between them. Whatever it was, Mr. Northam took on a determined air and leaned close enough to murmur, “You know, Miss Brinton, I believe we shall get on very well.”
“I do hope so,” I murmured in return.
Two
We rose after dinner in order to, as Mrs. Hickmore called it, “enjoy a little performance or two.” What she meant, of course, was to provide an opportunity for those who wished to demonstrate talent, thereby increasing the likelihood of matches being made. I turned to Mr. Northam in the hopes he would escort me into the ballroom, but Lord Williams spoke first. “Miss Brinton, would you do me the honor?”
Mr. Northam shot me a wry glance but then turned and offered his arm to a different lady. I sighed and placed my hand on Lord Williams’s arm, his light cologne mixed with faint saddle oil doing nothing to recommend him.
As we moved away, Lord Williams nodded to a few people before saying, “Most women would be honored by such an offer.”