The Wedding Game(27)

Assuming that it had not been spoiled all ready. The invitation had arrived with his first morning post, written by the great man himself and not some secretary or underling. But there was nothing in the brief note to indicate a purpose for the meeting.

So here he stood, resolutely still, trying not to focus on the most likely scenario. If someone had seen him leaving the dark walks with Amelia, word might have got back to her father. If so, he had been summoned to give an account of himself. Either he was about to be warned off or Summoner would expect him to make the offer that a gentleman should.

On reflection, he was surprised to realise that little pressure would be necessary to bring him to accounts. Though Templeton had suggested that one daughter was much like another, marrying Amelia had never been a secondary course of action, should he fail to attain the primary goal of Arabella’s hand. Though his reasons for marrying were rational and analytical, it seemed too callous to swap sisters like cravats, when the first knot failed.

But now? When he thought of Amy, he was dangerously close to an involvement of the heart. Even worse, his body clamoured for a more intimate match and the sooner the better. When they were alone together, he was possessed by an earthy, primal attraction that he did not feel when looking at the ethereal Arabella.

Even now, when he should be in terror of the meeting about to occur, he could imagine torn and scattered clothing, and frenzied thrusts while staring down into passion-drugged, mismatched eyes.

It was settled, then. Her father’s permission, one simple question to the lady, three weeks to read the banns and he could begin acting on that passion with vigour and frequency.

At the thought, he reached for a handkerchief to mop a drop of cold sweat from his brow. He had but to look at his own past to remember why one did not trust heart and groin to make important decisions. Though it all might end well, the path to success was lined with tumult and heartache. Ranked in a lifetime of female acquaintance, Amy Summoner scored a close second in the administration of pain and suffering.

It had taken years for Cassandra to break his heart. Last night, after one kiss from Amy, he’d been ready to let it shatter all over again. If he took her to bed, it would be the death of reason and free will.

But what a glorious, hero’s death it would be. Despite what one promised at the altar, it was not really necessary to love when one married. He respected her and he wanted her. That was more than enough. He would give anything else she required of him, but he would keep possession of his heart.

A footman interrupted his thoughts and led him down a long hall. It ended in a heavy oak door that stood open, ready to receive him. He passed through it to find Lord Geoffrey Summoner seated at an enormous desk in front of the window. He was sifting through the stack of letters before him, deliberately oblivious to the man he had invited for a meeting.

Ben refused to let himself be fazed by it. Instead, he stood before the desk, waiting patiently to be acknowledged.

After a few seconds, he looked up and Ben bowed. ‘Lord Summoner.’

Summoner responded with a smile that was both warm and genuine, as if he had actually been looking forward to the visit. ‘Mr Lovell. Please, sit down.’

He indicated the chair before the desk and Ben sat. ‘How good to see you. Does the day find you well?’

‘Indeed, my lord.’

Summoner steepled his fingers. ‘And I suppose you are wondering at the purpose for the meeting.’

Ben gave a brief nod and smiled back at him. ‘If there is something you require of me I am at your service.’

‘Require of you...’ Summoner smiled again, drumming his fingers against each other as if he had a surprise that he was not ready to reveal. ‘I am merely interested in seeing if you are half the man my friends seem to think you. At White’s they speak well of you.’

‘I am glad to hear it, my lord.’ He was far more than glad if it meant that his indiscretion with Amy had not been discovered.

‘You are thought to be moderate in all things, intelligent, well spoken and wealthy enough to be your own master.’

Ben gave another nod of modest acknowledgement.

‘And you are in search of a wife,’ Summoner finished.

Ben blinked in surprise and prepared to revise his previous assumption, then gave another, hesitant nod.

Summoner cleared his throat. ‘I have a daughter...’ He paused. ‘Two daughters, actually. Both unmarried.’

Ben blinked again. There was still no indication of censure in the man’s tone that might hint at knowledge of how well he already knew Amy. Instead, it sounded rather like Summoner meant to arrange a match himself. Finally, he nodded. ‘I have met them both. They are lovely girls and do you credit, my lord.’

Summoner let out a relieved breath. ‘Thank you, Mr Lovell. It does a father’s heart good to know they are admired. But as I said earlier, I want to see one of them in particular settled with a man I can respect.’ He gave Ben a long appraising look. ‘Everyone I know speaks well of you. You have the means to care for her and the ambition to make a bright future from what you have already been given.’

Fraud. Upstart.

Ben silenced his doubts and responded as a man of his position would be expected to. ‘That is my goal, sir.’

‘Then I see no reason why we shall not both have what we wish.’

At this, Ben blinked twice. Of all the scenarios he had imagined for his future with the Summoner family, being approached by the father and solicited to court the daughter was not one of them. Was the man really so doubtful as to Amy’s chances of success that he was willing to barter her away? ‘Your blessing on my suit sets my mind at rest,’ Ben said cautiously.