Bound by Bliss (Bound and Determined #2)(39)

“I was thinking about how to sneak back into my house, if you must know.” There was no way that she was going to tell him what she’d actually been thinking, and that it was all too relevant to their conversation. Getting back into the house was simple. There was a rusted back gate that never locked properly and she’d left the door to the billiard room very slightly ajar. And if disaster took and the porter had noticed the cracked door and locked it then she would merely pretend to have gone for a late walk in the gardens and locked herself out. She’d done that before and nobody had ever questioned. The servants probably wondered, but her father would be too busy thinking about llamas or turtledoves to pay mind to her. There were definitely some advantages to being a Danser.

“You are wandering again. Stop it and tell me what it is you want in a husband.”



“I am not sure why I should, but as I am stuck in this carriage with you for another few minutes I will indulge you.” Now if only she could think of an intelligent answer. “I want a man who cares for me, for what I want and how I feel. He should be reasonably good-looking and not smell. I would prefer that he was taller than me, but it would be difficult to find a man who was not. I would rather wish him to like children. There is something distrustful in a man who does not. And kittens and puppies. Having grown up in Risusgate I would feel strange if there were not pets about.”

“Is that all? It is not much of a list.”

“What would you suggest?” Why did she think that his list would sound remarkably like himself?

“Well, you have made it clear that you do not want a dull man, so probably no scholars or farmers.”

“I have found both scholars and farmers interesting. It does all depend on how they discuss their interests and whether or not they can speak of anything else. But you are probably right that they are not my first choice.”

“What of age? And do you care if there was a wife before you? And what if he already has children?”

Children. She had not even considered that even though she had just mentioned them. Would it be different if the children were not her own? “I think I would prefer a man without children—although I do not necessarily think I would reject a man because of them. And not too old. I do not know what age is too old, but I want someone who still contains some youth. I want a man who will not find it a hardship to dance with me and ride with me and…”



“Follow you on whatever your next adventure is.”

“Exactly.”

“And what of property? Do you require a wealthy husband?”

Finally an easy question, and one she had considered. “Definitely not. I don’t care if he is quite without funds, although I draw the line at debt. I will have more than enough funds to support a decent life, but not so much that I can fish some fool out of a pond of debt and bills he has created. I do not mind a poor man, but I have no desire to be penniless myself.”

“That is sensible. Property? Title?” He shifted, placing a leg on either side of her skirts so that she felt quite trapped on the bench.

She ignored the feeling. “I feel the same about property as I do money. Although I admit that an estate in the country is desirable. I have always loved escaping to the simplicity of rural life. I enjoy parties and company, but in the end I want to walk through fields and ride to my heart’s content.”

“And title?”

“Makes not a whit of difference. If anything I prefer a man without one. I do not need the added responsibility of being a duchess—or a countess.” She shot him a very pointed look. “I would like a husband who is comfortable in society, however. I may not desire a title, but I am not proposing to marry one of my footmen or my brother’s valet.”

He did not answer her look. “Your brother’s valet would probably be more comfortable in society than any man I have ever known.”

There was so much truth to that, she could only laugh. “You are right about that, but I must admit I still do not want to wed him. And besides, he has seen how I leave my clothing at the end of the day and he would never have me. Hysterics would follow us both.”



It was his turn to chuckle. “I have to admit that you would make an unlikely pair. And you did say you wished a husband taller than you.”

“Yes, that would rather leave him out.”

“Your children would never grow tall enough to…”

For a moment her mind filled with tall blond children, children with…No, she was not going to think about what Duldon’s children would look like. She stilled her features and forced herself away from the dream that she would never allow.

“I am sorry,” Duldon said.

“For what?”

“For whatever I said that took the smile from your eyes. I had worked so hard to put it back in them.”

“It is nothing.” Only it didn’t feel like nothing.

“Well, one thing has become very clear.”

It was not the moment for riddles. “What?” Impatience rang in her voice.

“Our next adventure.” He reached across and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. “I will help you find a husband. I can guide you and help you find a man who meets your criteria. With such a detailed list you will need some help.”

Why did she have the feeling that in his mind there was only one man who was acceptable?