Gentlemen Prefer Spinsters (Spinsters Club #1)(32)

Now, however, she could not decide whether she was looking forward to it or dreading it.

You cannot wait to see Harry again. She rolled her eyes at herself. That voice needed to go.





Chapter Thirteen





“I can find nothing of note, my lord.” The grizzled-faced fellow chewed on a lump of tobacco, swilling it about his mouth. The private investigator had a hard look in his dark eyes that told Harcourt he’d seen too much of life. Regardless of his appearance or tobacco habit, the investigator was one of the finest in the country, highly recommended by Harcourt’s lawyer.

Harcourt nodded and pushed a hand through his hair. “You are certain?”

The man nodded. “Her father had no untoward dealings, no angry ex-lovers, and the brother is just as clean. This family has nothing to hide and no reason for anyone to harm them.”

Harcourt let out the breath he’d been holding. So he was being paranoid. Perhaps the chap who’d been stalking around the house was merely curious. After all, the house had been empty for some time. He probably wanted to see what all the activity was about. And the broken door and open windows really had been due to the wind.

Merry was safe.

Standing, he offered the investigator his hand. “My lawyer shall see to your fee.”

The investigator nodded. “Have a good day, my lord.”

After the investigator left his study, Harcourt sank down onto the chair and rubbed a hand across his mouth. A smile curved his lips. Merry might not be in danger but it did not mean he was planning to ignore her now. Not after that kiss. Why she was so insistent on denying everything she felt, he did not know. He’d felt the damned thing all the way down to his toes. When she kissed, she poured herself into it, and had been as swept away as he had. Passion like that did not come along every day. He just needed to convince the stubborn woman as much.

“Has he gone?”

His mother thrust her head around the door to the study.

“Yes, Mother.”

“Good.” She stepped into the room and smoothed down her elegant gown of purple silk. Feathers bobbed in her hair. “He had a frightful look to him. I do not think you should spend time with such men.”

“He was an investigator, Mother. There was nothing untoward about our meeting.”

She did a loop of the room, running her finger along the fireplace then over the spines of several books. “Why do you need an investigator?”

“A business matter, that’s all,” he said vaguely. If there really was nothing to be concerned about with regards to Merry, he did not need his mother worrying too.

She came to a stop in front of him and ran her gaze over him. “Are you coming to the kite festival?”

“Of course. It would be rather remiss of the Earl of Langley to miss the most looked-forward to event in Lulworth.”

Creases appeared between her brows and she perched on the desk in front of him and began tugging at his cravat. “Be sure to be nice to any ladies present.”

“I am always nice,” he drawled.

“Well, be extra nice.” She tutted. “Your cravat is not straight.”

“Don’t tell my valet that.”

“Men are never the best judge of these things. Even ones supposedly trained in the art of dressing gentlemen. I always think valets should be women. We have an eye for these things.”

“I cannot image there are many women who would wish to earn their living dressing men.”

His mother chuckled. “A handsome man like you? I should imagine you would have hundreds of women clamoring to dress you.” She slid off the desk. “Just as there will be many looking to spend time with you today.”

He managed not to roll his eyes. His mother had been trying to marry him off since the day he inherited the title. She meant well, but no man needed their mother thrusting women their way every second of the day.

“I shall try my best not to disappoint you, but do not expect a marriage proposal today, Mother.”

“Does that mean there might be one in the future?”

He smiled. “I shall try my best.”

She narrowed her gaze at him. “You are just saying that to appease me. I swear, I do not know what men have against marriage these days. It is getting harder and harder for women to gain a proposal. You are all too busy enjoying bachelorhood.”

“You would rather I was married miserably then?” he teased.

“Of course not. You know what I mean. There are many lovely girls who would make excellent wives. You are not getting any younger, and neither am I for that matter.”

“Ah, so this is all about your desire for grandchildren.”

She sucked in a breath. “Well, of course it is, Harry! You need an heir, and fast.” Her expression softened. “But I would so like to see you happy. Your father and I might not have had as much time together as I would have liked, but I will treasure the years we had together. I want the same for you.”

“If you want the same for me, stop thrusting poor, unsuspecting women my way.”

His mother huffed and lifted her chin. “I do not see what you have against the women I pick. They are all charming.”

Charming, yes. Beautiful too, usually. Sweet, kind, and polite. All the traits one might want from a wife.