“Lord Steinbeck’s an important gentleman,” Mr. Jasper was telling the footman. “If Mr. Raleigh happens to come by with the proposal, bring it here. Mr. Raleigh said he was delayed with a personal matter, but he should deliver it within the hour.”

  “Yes, Mr. Jasper,” the footman replied. “I’ll do as you say.”

  “Good.” Mr. Jasper turned around and almost bumped into her. He jerked back and, after a moment, was able to compose himself. “What are you doing?”

  “Taking my son to the park,” she replied as his carriage pulled away from the sidewalk.

  “The park is that way.” He gestured down the street.

  “I know. That happens to be the direction I’m headed.”

  “In that case, I won’t stand in your way.” He moved aside and waved her down the sidewalk. “You may proceed.”

  “Exactly what did I do to upset you so much you won’t give me the pleasure of a few moments of your time?”

  He glanced around. “Considering I’m not your relative, I don’t think it’s appropriate we talk at all.”

  “Come now, Mr. Jasper. We’re allowed a few moments to talk.” When he gave another worried look to a couple of people who passed them by, she said, “Are you really going to spend the rest of your life sulking over what happened at Lord Roderick’s ball?”

  He let out a slight gasp. “I’m not sulking. Sulking is something ladies do.”

  She almost protested his statement, but what good would it do? He was obviously a proud gentleman, especially in having a pristine reputation. “If I knew it would have upset you so much that I took it upon myself to get your attention so you’d dance with me, I would have had someone arrange for you to ask me to dance.”

  He lowered his voice. “You did much more than get my attention. You nearly created a scandal.” His gaze went to her son. “Are you sure he should be hearing this? What is he? Five?”

  “Leonard’s four,” she said. “My husband was tall. Leonard got his height from him so most people think he’s older than he really is.”

  “You’re married?”

  She didn’t think it was possible, but he seemed as if he was ready to faint.

  “What are you doing dragging unsuspecting gentlemen into dances when you have a husband?”

  Amused he’d refer to himself as an unsuspecting gentleman, she grinned. “I’m a widow.”

  “But you’re not wearing black.”

  “My mourning period is over. That means I’m free to dance and go anywhere I want. I can even take my child to the park in broad daylight without risking scandal.”

  He frowned. “Are you having fun at my expense?”

  “It’s hard to have fun with someone who is so uptight, Mr. Jasper.”

  “Uptight?”

  “Yes. You take everything much too seriously. But since I can see how much I’ve distressed you the other evening, I apologize. It was never my intention to upset you.”

  He eyed her critically for a moment then his face softened a bit. “You seem sincere.”

  “That’s because I am.”

  “In that case, I accept your apology.” His gaze went to Lord Steinbeck’s townhouse. “I received an invitation to an important dinner party. This might be a very profitable evening for me.”

  Her husband had once referred to Lord Steinbeck as the kind of gentleman who only befriended those who could do something for him. “I have a feeling the odds of profit are much more in his favor than in yours.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “I mean exactly what I said.” Leonard tugged on her hand, so she squeezed it to let him know they would continue on their way to the park. “Well, Mr. Jasper, I won’t keep you any longer. I hope the evening goes as well as you hope.” With a nod in his direction, she resumed her leisurely stroll with her son to the park.

  ***

  Malcolm glanced over his shoulder after he climbed the steps to Steinbeck’s front door. The lady and her son were still walking, going further and further from him, which was a relief. He honestly didn’t know what to expect from her. She had absolutely no sense of decency, coming up to him and talking to him as if they were good friends or—heaven help him—more friendly than they ought to be.

  Then she’d blurted out her son’s name. It was ironic she didn’t bother telling him her name, but that was probably good. He didn’t care to know anything about her. The more distance he had from someone like that, the better.

  He shook his head. Well, it didn’t matter. Melissa would find him someone respectable, and he could put the troublesome matter with the other lady past him. His gaze unwittingly went to her backside. For a lady who had a child, she certainly had a nice figure.

  Face warm, he quickly turned his gaze back to Steinbeck’s door and knocked on it. The lady, no doubt, was a seductress. Her husband probably hadn’t been the only gentleman she’d known. Not with the way she behaved. And really, she didn’t have to swing her hips in such a provocative manner. She was practically asking him to look at her.

  He let out a long sigh and cleared his mind. Once he married a sensible lady with a good reputation, such thoughts wouldn’t be a nuisance anymore. Wives were for giving a gentleman children. Mistresses were for pleasure. But quite frankly, he had more important things to think about than the lust of the flesh.

  He knocked again, and this time the footman opened the door. Malcolm introduced himself and was escorted at once to the drawing room where Steinbeck was talking to two other gentlemen. Malcolm recognized Lord Dunnaby from White’s, but he didn’t recognize the other one.

  “Ah,” Steinbeck told the gentleman Malcolm didn’t recognize, “there’s Mr. Jasper.” He gestured for Malcolm to sit next to him. “Unfortunately, Lord Dodsworth took ill and couldn’t make it tonight, but we’ll still have a good time. In fact, I was just telling Patrick how much we’ll all benefit from having you here.”

  “Patrick?” Malcolm asked as he took his seat.

  The butler offered him a brandy, and Malcolm took it.

  “Sir Willoby,” Steinbeck clarified. “You can call him,” he pointed to Lord Dunnaby, “Robert.”

  Malcolm swallowed his sip of brandy. “Are you sure it’s all right to refer to everyone by their Christian names?”

  Steinbeck laughed. “You’re one of us now. We would never let your brother-in-law address us in such a way, but you are nothing like him.”

  “He’s right,” Patrick said. “You’re intelligent.”

  Malcolm chuckled at their joke.

  “How do you manage it with something like him in your family?” Steinbeck asked.

  “I don’t have a choice,” Malcolm replied with a grimace. “He forced my sister into marriage when he kissed her at Lord Roderick’s ball. I tried to challenge him to a duel to save her, but it didn’t work out.” He forced himself not to rub his wrist at the reminder of the wound he’d acquired during the ill-fated duel.

  “It’s a shame we can’t get rid of him,” Steinbeck said. “Though, I’ve noticed he doesn’t come to White’s as much since you got voted in. The challenge to the duel must have scared him away.”

  “Only someone like him would avoid a duel,” Robert spoke up. “I always knew he was a coward when he tried to force everyone to honor the bet Davenport and Pennella made after it was dissolved. I placed my money in the wager, too, but you didn’t see me crying because the whole thing fell apart.”

  “You made much more money when the Duke of Ashbourne paid you for his brother’s debts,” Patrick added, eyebrows raised.

  “My agreement with his brother had nothing to do with the bet Davenport and Pennella made. His brother came to me asking for money, and I don’t lend money without expecting some interest from the transaction.”

  “As is sensible when you’re a businessman,” Malcolm spoke up.

  “Yes, but the interest rate you charged was a bit excessive,” Patrick replied, shooting a pointed look in Robert’s direction.

  Robert shook his head in irritation. “His brother was a poor risk. Few others would lend him money because of it.” Before Patrick could respond, he leaned toward him and added, “Perhaps if he’d been following you everywhere begging for the money, you’d understand.”

  “You shouldn’t be harsh with him,” Malcolm told Patrick. “A gentleman who doesn’t honor his debts deserves what he gets. I’d charge a higher interest rate, too. Paying off debts in a timely manner should be rewarded with lower interest. Not doing so should be punished. If a gentleman can’t fulfill his obligations, he has no right asking for the money in the first place.”

  “I agree on that count,” Patrick told Malcolm. “I just feel sorry for the duke. After his brother died, he inherited the debt with his title, and he had to pay for it.”

  Steinbeck snorted. “I wouldn’t feel too sorry for Ashbourne. His wife is shrewd in business, and she’s very pleasing to the eye. Judging by the smile on his face, I’d say the debt he inherited was the best thing that ever happened to him.”

  “There you go,” Robert told Patrick, gesturing to Steinbeck. “It all worked out. I got paid, and he got the lady most gentlemen would give their entire estates to marry.”

  “Well, there is that,” Patrick relented, swirling the brandy in his glass. “Many gentlemen have had their share of fantasies about her, I’m sure.”

  “I know I have,” Steinbeck said with a chuckle.

  The footman came into the drawing room, making Malcolm breathe a sigh of relief. He would much rather stick to topics of financial interest. It was the one thing he excelled at, after all.

  “Mr. Jasper, your footman asked me to give you this.” The footman held out the rolled up parchment.

  Recognizing Mr. Raleigh’s plans, Malcolm hurried to retrieve them. “Good. I’m glad they came before dinner.” As the footman left, he told Steinbeck, “This is the investment I was telling you about at White’s.”

  “Splendid,” Steinbeck replied as he rose to his feet, the others following suit. “We’ll discuss it during dinner. Oh, before I forget, my name is Warren.”

  “I’m Malcolm,” he replied.

  “Do you like poached salmon?”

  “I do.”

  “Good. It just came in fresh today.” Warren gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. “You’ll find I only serve the best for those worthy of my time.”

  Pleased, Malcolm smiled. Considering how selective Warren was, this was the highest compliment he’d received up to this point in his life. Everything was falling right into place. He would soon be one of the wealthiest gentlemen in London, and he had the respect of influential people. The only thing missing was a child to leave his legacy to, but that matter would be resolved soon enough.

  Yes, everything was perfect. Even having Logan for a brother-in-law couldn’t depress him now. He had the world in the palm of his hand, and no one was going to take it from him.

  Chapter Five

  Two days later, Malcolm was in his den working on his ledger when a familiar knock came at the closed door. “You may enter as long as you didn’t bring your reprobate husband with you,” he called out to his sister.

  She opened the door and peaked into room. “How did you know it was me?”

  “Because you use the same series of quick taps every time you knock.” Since she hadn’t fully entered the room, he narrowed his eyes at her. “Is that cad with you?”

  “No. Logan doesn’t like to be here any more than you like having him here.”

  “Then why are you partially hiding behind the door?”

  “Because I have important news to tell you.”

  That made no sense at all, but then his sister seemed to have taken loss of her senses ever since Logan came into her life. “Well, come on in and tell me the important news.”

  She did as he requested, hiding something behind her back. Before he could ask what it was, she held out a piece of parchment to him. “We’ve selected a wife for you!”

  Surprised by her excitement, he took it. “Is she unbelievably wealthy or something?” There had to be a reason she looked as if she was ready to jump up and down in glee.

  “Well, she is. You’ll be delighted at how well she manages money.”

  “All right,” he slowly replied, not sure why this wasn’t as reassuring as it should have been.

  This wasn’t his sister’s typical odd behavior ever since marrying Logan. This was something altogether different. He lowered his gaze and saw the contract. It requested his approval for the choice the Duchess of Ashbourne made in picking a wife for him.

  Lady Cantrell.

  He didn’t recall the name. Glancing back up at his sister who was still grinning from ear to ear, he asked, “What’s wrong with her?”

  “Nothing. I got a chance to meet her, and she’ll be perfect for you.” She clasped her hands. “I’m just excited about this. A better match couldn’t be made in all of London.”

  He relaxed. Since she put it that way, he supposed he couldn’t blame her for being enthusiastic. He read through the contract.

  “You can meet her before the wedding,” Melissa told him. “We can do the banns or get a special license.”

  He thought over the options then ran through the long list of things he had to do. “No, that’s all right. You picked Lady Cantrell for me, and that’s enough. I’ll just meet her at the wedding.”

  “I knew you’d pick that option,” she said. “That’s why I had Helena mark it down for you to initial.” She leaned forward and pointed to the paragraph. “You can get a special license, and we’ll arrange the rest.”

  “What about Lady Cantrell?”

  “Oh, she agreed to the marriage as soon as we told her your name. She’s more than willing to marry you without meeting you first. She signed her agreement to the special license.”

  Surprised, he asked, “She did?”

  “Yes. She knows exactly who you are, and she said she couldn’t be happier with the match.”

  How was it possible Lady Cantrell knew about him, but he had no idea who she was? The answer came to him as soon as he finished the thought. He was well known and respected in all of London because of his business prowess. He had friends like Warren, and Warren was one of the most influential gentlemen he’d ever met. So naturally, she knew of him. She, however, was an unknown lady who probably remained in the corner somewhere during balls.

  “Is Lady Cantrell shy?” he asked Melissa.

  “No, but she’s a widow with a child, so she doesn’t engage much socially.”

  Oh, that explained a lot. No wonder he’d never heard of her.

  “I assured her you are good with children,” Melissa added. “In fact, my son couldn’t ask for a better uncle.”

  “What’s not to like about children? They don’t represent the unpleasant aspects of London.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t be so difficult when it comes to Logan. He’s actually quite sweet.”

  He grimaced and signed the contract. “You and I will never come to an agreement on him.” He handed it to her. “Let me know when the wedding is, and I’ll show up.”

  If Lady Cantrell was as happy to marry him as Melissa claimed, this would be a very suitable match indeed. Lady Cantrell, after all, was already showing him what good taste she had.

  “I’ll do that,” Melissa promised then ran out of the room, and if he was right, she was cheering the whole way out of his townhouse.

  ***

  Danette lowered her cup of tea and stared at Regan in disbelief. “But I thought Mr. Jasper didn’t like you.”

  Regan shifted in the chair in her friend’s drawing room. “I don’t know if I’d say he doesn’t like me.”

  “You said that right after you danced with him at Lord Roderick’s ball.”

  She paused, still holding her own cup of tea halfway to her lips. “I didn’t say he didn’t like me.”

  Her friend wrinkled her nose for a moment then nodded. “I’m sure you did.” She nodded again. “Yes. I distinctly remember you saying you shouldn’t have been so bold. If you hadn’t taken him by the hand so he’d dance with you, he might have actually liked you. But since you were bold, he didn’t like you.”

  Regan raised an eyebrow. “You have a surprisingly good memory.”

  “It’s a gift and a curse.”

  “I suppose,” she slowly said then decided to put her cup on the table. “I apologized to him the last time I saw him. Surely, that should make things better.”

  “Did he accept your apology?”

  Regan thought back to that day she saw him in front of Lord Steinbeck’s. “He said he did.”

  “Do you believe him?”

  “I see no reason why he would lie.”

  After seeming to consider her friend’s words, Danette said, “From what you told me about him, he doesn’t mind being honest with you.”

  “No, he doesn’t. I assume he’s that way with everyone, though.”

  “You’re probably right. I have to admit, I don’t know why you want to marry him. He isn’t anything like you. From what you told me, he’s not very likable.”

  “I suspect he just doesn’t know how to act around ladies. He spends all of his time thinking about money. What he needs is someone to teach him there’s more to life than how much wealth you can accumulate.”

  “And you think you’re the one to teach him that?”

  “I went to the Duchess of Ashbourne seeking the right gentleman for me, and in her estimation, he’s the one.” After a moment, she added, “I believe it’s fate.” She didn’t know if Danette believed in such things, but she did. Nothing happened by accident. “I had no control over who she chose for me.”

  “I know. It just seems like it’s more than a coincidence, like someone arranged it so you have to marry him.”

  “Well, I didn’t have anything to do with it if that’s the case. I did talk about Mr. Jasper, but that’s because his sister happened to be helping the duchess arrange my marriage. If she hadn’t been there, then the conversation wouldn’t have involved him as much as it did.”