to his startled sister. “It appears I’ve stunned your brother into silence.”
He wasn’t the only one. Wide-eyed, unsure of what to make of their shocking banter, Augusta nodded. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said hurriedly. “I believe my mother is calling me.”
Coventry watched her go, aware that their conversation had caught the attention of many in the room—including his mother. For the hundredth time he cursed himself for getting caught in Augusta’s net. Spending time around so many eligible young ladies would only encourage his already desperate-for-an-heir mother. Not because she had any real interest in a grandchild. No, it was the same reason she’d suffered the indignity of having her own children: because it was expected. Not to mention that his failure to provide an heir was somehow a poor reflection on her.
His gaze fell back to the woman at his side. The little slip of a thing who didn’t seem the least bit intimidated by him or his reputation. After all that effort, it was appalling really. In fact, she looked inordinately pleased with herself.
“Do you usually solicit proposals upon a second introduction, Lady Georgina?”
“No.” She smiled sweetly. “You are the first.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
Her audacity disarmed him. In spite of himself, Coventry smiled. He caught himself staring at her, admiring the softness of her skin and the shine of her silky hair. She truly was exquisite. The face, the hair, the body. All wrapped up into one delectable little package. One that he’d like to unwrap with his teeth.
Each time he chanced to glance into those sultry green eyes, he felt something hot spark inside him. A spark that the lusty Simone had completely failed to douse. He’d left Curzon Street last week just as restless as he’d arrived. Perhaps more so. Not for the first time, Coventry thought that he needed to find a new mistress. He bored easily.
“I’m honored.” He bowed mockingly. “But frankly, Lady Georgina, I have no interest in a wife. My secretary manages my schedule quite satisfactorily.”
She quirked a brow at that—probably in reference to his perpetual tardiness. “But Lord Coventry, for a man in your position, a wife can do so much more than calendar your engagements.”
“You forget that I’ve been married before. I’m well acquainted with what a wife can do for a man ‘in my position.’” Like toss her skirts for half the men in this room.
She frowned. “But a proper wife is an asset.”
Coventry had to hand it to her. She was nothing if not determined.
“A proper wife can manage your households,” she continued, undeterred.
“I have a butler and a housekeeper who manage my households well enough.”
“A proper wife will help with the efficient running of your estates.”
Coventry shook his head. Determined and repetitive. There was something humorous about the way she spoke so enthusiastically and businesslike in defense of something she knew absolutely nothing about. How she eagerly spouted the propaganda of society’s marriage-minded mamas.
“I have very competent estate managers at all of my properties.”
“A wife can help with accounting and bookkeeping.”
“I have a team of solicitors and the aforementioned secretary for that.”
It was taking her longer to respond. “And a hostess to preside over your table when you entertain?”
“Should the need arise, my mother can serve as hostess.” When hell froze over. But Lady Georgina didn’t need to know that.
She thought for a moment before her eyes sparked, he perceived in triumph. “Only a proper wife can provide an heir,” she intoned smugly, as if to say, “Trump that one.”
“My father had a younger brother, quite a reliable, trustworthy chap. He has been named my heir-presumptive.”
He noticed that her face pinched a little when she was frustrated. “How about companionship? A wife will provide a lifetime of companionship.”
He smiled at that
He wasn’t the only one. Wide-eyed, unsure of what to make of their shocking banter, Augusta nodded. “If you’ll excuse me,” she said hurriedly. “I believe my mother is calling me.”
Coventry watched her go, aware that their conversation had caught the attention of many in the room—including his mother. For the hundredth time he cursed himself for getting caught in Augusta’s net. Spending time around so many eligible young ladies would only encourage his already desperate-for-an-heir mother. Not because she had any real interest in a grandchild. No, it was the same reason she’d suffered the indignity of having her own children: because it was expected. Not to mention that his failure to provide an heir was somehow a poor reflection on her.
His gaze fell back to the woman at his side. The little slip of a thing who didn’t seem the least bit intimidated by him or his reputation. After all that effort, it was appalling really. In fact, she looked inordinately pleased with herself.
“Do you usually solicit proposals upon a second introduction, Lady Georgina?”
“No.” She smiled sweetly. “You are the first.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
Her audacity disarmed him. In spite of himself, Coventry smiled. He caught himself staring at her, admiring the softness of her skin and the shine of her silky hair. She truly was exquisite. The face, the hair, the body. All wrapped up into one delectable little package. One that he’d like to unwrap with his teeth.
Each time he chanced to glance into those sultry green eyes, he felt something hot spark inside him. A spark that the lusty Simone had completely failed to douse. He’d left Curzon Street last week just as restless as he’d arrived. Perhaps more so. Not for the first time, Coventry thought that he needed to find a new mistress. He bored easily.
“I’m honored.” He bowed mockingly. “But frankly, Lady Georgina, I have no interest in a wife. My secretary manages my schedule quite satisfactorily.”
She quirked a brow at that—probably in reference to his perpetual tardiness. “But Lord Coventry, for a man in your position, a wife can do so much more than calendar your engagements.”
“You forget that I’ve been married before. I’m well acquainted with what a wife can do for a man ‘in my position.’” Like toss her skirts for half the men in this room.
She frowned. “But a proper wife is an asset.”
Coventry had to hand it to her. She was nothing if not determined.
“A proper wife can manage your households,” she continued, undeterred.
“I have a butler and a housekeeper who manage my households well enough.”
“A proper wife will help with the efficient running of your estates.”
Coventry shook his head. Determined and repetitive. There was something humorous about the way she spoke so enthusiastically and businesslike in defense of something she knew absolutely nothing about. How she eagerly spouted the propaganda of society’s marriage-minded mamas.
“I have very competent estate managers at all of my properties.”
“A wife can help with accounting and bookkeeping.”
“I have a team of solicitors and the aforementioned secretary for that.”
It was taking her longer to respond. “And a hostess to preside over your table when you entertain?”
“Should the need arise, my mother can serve as hostess.” When hell froze over. But Lady Georgina didn’t need to know that.
She thought for a moment before her eyes sparked, he perceived in triumph. “Only a proper wife can provide an heir,” she intoned smugly, as if to say, “Trump that one.”
“My father had a younger brother, quite a reliable, trustworthy chap. He has been named my heir-presumptive.”
He noticed that her face pinched a little when she was frustrated. “How about companionship? A wife will provide a lifetime of companionship.”
He smiled at that
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