The Virtuous Ward (Sweet Deception Regency #5) (14 page)

"How wonderful," Honoria said. She reached across and tapped Max on the wrist with her fan. "My dear, you can have nothing against the man."

"He has been underfoot now for the last few weeks. Amity seems to enjoy his company and his manners are unexceptionable." Max stroked his jawline as he tried to analyze why he was not more delighted with the young man.

"He is an eligible parti, Max. And so very handsome. Why any girl would be thrilled to have fixed his interest."

"I don't know if Amity is thrilled but at least she does not dismiss the man as she has so many others. Says they have no serious thoughts in their heads. Can you imagine?" Max seemed nonplused by her attitude. "Not that I think Paige has any great depth."

"She is very young, Max," Honoria said, her voice patronizing. "She needs a steadying influence. Bancroft Paige is serious enough despite his handsome looks."

Max nodded his head in agreement, wondering why Honoria kept repeating how handsome the man was. He was well looking but after all a head of blond curls was not the end all. However, the more he thought of it, the more convinced he became that Paige might be an eligible suitor for Amity. He had little humor and was a bit puffed up with his own consequence but there was nothing particularly wrong with the man. Then a thought occurred to Max and he leaned toward Honoria.

"What of his sister?" he asked. "Rather prune-faced woman. A thirty year old spinster might not make the best companion for a young wife."

Honoria's light tinkling laughter echoed inside the carriage and Max relaxed at the charming sound. "Ophelia is a darling," she said. "She is shy in company so she hides behind that brusque manner. She will be a good friend to Amity."

The furrows in Max's forehead smoothed out and he leaned back against the squabs. He felt convinced that his problems were over. His household would be peaceful again. Soon he could be about settling his own future. He smiled across at the golden vision, content that his planning would soon come to fruition.

Chapter Eight

Lord Bancroft Paige was perched on the edge of a chair in front of the mahogany desk, his polished boots pressed together and his hands on the knees of his tailored biscuit-colored trousers. Although Max had made small talk in order to put the man at his ease, all his best efforts had been wasted. Like a primed pump, Paige was ready to blurt out his news at the least opening.

"Saw you at Tattersall's last week," Max said, leaning back in the leather chair and stretching his legs. "Were you after the bays or that black stallion?"

"The bays, sir," Bancroft said. For the first time in the interview he relaxed against the back of the chair. "A pair of sweet goers if I ever saw them. Thought to add them to my stable but Percy Waterston was before me. I was surprised since I thought the man was sadly dipped."

"I had heard some such story but I hadn't given it much thought," Max drawled. In actual fact, he had given it a great deal of thought. Since he planned to offer for Honoria it concerned him that rumors persisted that her brother was an inveterate gambler. The times that he had seen Percy he found the stories too credible. And now to purchase those bays. Must have had a run of luck. "Did you find any other cattle to suit?"

" 'Fraid not, sir," Bancroft said, his expression glum. "Thought the bays would have shown well. I must admit I was hoping to impress your ward."

"Amity? I fear you're well out there. Miss Fraser is unimpressed with the normal run of the mill thoroughbred," he smiled in remembrance. "You must ask her sometime to show you Lady Guinevere, a mare she purchased last week."

"A hunter?" Bancroft asked.

"I shouldn't think so," Max said, shaking his head. "Although at this point it's most difficult to tell."

"Beg pardon, sir?"

"Devil take it, Paige," Max snapped in exasperation, bringing the man to sharp attention on his chair. "If you call me sir one more time I shall throw you out on the street. Makes me feel positively decrepit. By gad, sir, I can't be above five years older than you. Call me Max."

"My apologies, si-Max," Bancroft stammered all too conscious of the dangerous gleam in the man's eye. "I was trying to show proper respect."

"Get on with it, Bancroft. I seem to be in an ill humor today but it has little to do with your errand." Max rubbed the back of his neck, wondering why he was feeling so savage. He knew why Paige had requested the interview and he should be delighted. He sighed in resignation, determined to be gracious. "Was there anything special you wished to see me about?"

"Well, yes." Bancroft edged to the front of the chair, smoothing the material over one knee before he raised his head. His face was flushed and in the early morning light a sheen of perspiration glimmered on his forehead. "It is about your ward."

"Miss Fraser? How singular." Now that the time had come, Max decided to be as difficult as possible. After all he needed to find out if the man had character of his own or had borrowed courage from his sister.

"Over the last few weeks I have had an opportunity to observe Miss Fraser and I find her to be a charmingly mannered young lady."

"You observed her, you say?"

Bancroft missed the glimmer of humor in the other man's comment and became more agitated. "I was not spying on the girl!" he said much offended. "It was just that I have been aware of Miss Fraser when we have chanced to encounter each other."

"How splendid."

Finding small help from Max, Bancroft stood up, too restless to be confined to the chair. He tugged his jacket to remove any wrinkles and then paced in front of Max's desk, running a hand through his carefully arranged curls, much to their detriment. It was several minutes before he felt composed enough to broach the subject and then in a burst of energy he spoke. "I should like your permission to pay my addresses to your ward, Miss Amity Fraser."

"That's the ticket, Bancroft," Max applauded. "For a moment there I thought you might refuse the fence."

"Sir?" he said in bewilderment.

The man was a slow top, Max thought in chagrin. Aloud he said, "As far as I am concerned, you have my permission."

"Good show, sir!" Bancroft cried.

"Before you fall on your knees in gratitude, I should warn you that it will still be up to Amity whether she accepts your proposal," Max warned.

"I understand."

"When she arises this morning, I shall acquaint her with your visit. Perhaps you might care to return this afternoon for her answer."

"Would two be convenient?"

"Excellent."

After several more bursts of enthusiasm from Bancroft, Max ushered the man out and returned to the library. He walked to the window overlooking the garden. Placing his boot on the window seat, he rested his arms on his knee, his face thoughtful. He had already given the word to Putnam to send Amity to see him when she came down. Now he debated the best way to approach the subject.

He should be elated that he had found such an eligible parti for the girl. It was true she was an heiress and fair of face, but that did not always mean success in the marriage mart. Though slightly priggish, Bancroft Paige was an exceptional choice. He was reputed to be quite plump in the pocket and had at least two estates that Max knew of. He would have his man of business check further into his credentials to be certain he was sound. His ward should be delighted that the man had come up to scratch. He assumed the blond curls and lean body would be a considerable advantage in helping Amity make her decision.

As her guardian he had arranged a suitable match. He wondered why he had been so quick to refuse the other offers; with the exception of General Cuthburton most had been respectable suitors. In retrospect, he supposed Paige was the best of the lot. It was a shame that he could not like the man better. Over the years he had seen a fair amount of Paige and he had observed no depth of feeling or love of culture that might have mitigated the overall negative feeling he had for the man. Max found him rather shallow, with a tendency to be self-righteous and pompous. However in the long run it was not his decision to make. As guardian he had found an eligible suitor for the hand of his ward.

"Good morning, Max," Amity chirped from the doorway.

The girl came into the room like a cloud of butterflies, Max thought inanely. Her dress was a cornflower silk that shimmered in the sunlight as she crossed the carpet. There were soft touches of filmy lace at the rounded neck and wrists but aside from that the gown was free of ornamentation. A wide brimmed straw hat trimmed with small blue flowers was dangling by its ribbons from her hand. The other held a sleek parasol which matched her dress.

Placing his boot on the floor, Max turned to greet his ward. She came at him in a rush, stumbling over a wrinkle in the carpet and he caught her in his arms. He was surrounded by the fresh scent of flowers and for a moment held her against his chest as he drew in the fragrance. She moved and he pushed her upright, crossing his hands behind his back, much too aware of the feel of the girl's body.

"Must I always charge you to enter a room with dignity," he snapped.

"I'm sorry, Max," Amity said, puzzled at his sudden anger since he had just been smiling at her with some fondness. "Putnam told me you wanted to see me and I didn't want to keep you waiting."

"Well, I appreciate your promptness," Max responded, moving to stand behind the desk, creating a barrier between himself and his ward. "Please have a seat. I would have a word with you."

Amity sat down on the chair that Paige had so recently vacated. In an unconscious imitation, she too was perched on the edge of the seat, her eyes apprehensive as she stared across the desk. He refused to further duplicate the scene so he came around to the front of the desk and sat on the corner facing her.

"This morning I had an interview with Bancroft Paige." He could tell by the sudden blink of her eyes that she was aware of the purpose of the man's visit. Surely he hadn't spoken prematurely to the girl. "Did you know he had asked to see me?"

"No, sir," she said, eyes lowered to her lap. "I had reason to believe that he might ask for an interview. He hinted of such the last time he called."

"Are you aware of the subject he wished to discuss?"

"Yes," she whispered, her voice barely audible and a flush burning high on her cheekbones. "I have reason to suspect that he has developed a tendre for me."

"Spot on." Max waited but there were no more words forthcoming. "Confound it, Amity. Must you memorize the pattern of your dress? I'll admit it is fetching but I refuse to hold any further conversation with the top of your head."

Amity giggled and she raised her head so that Max had full benefit of her crystal blue eyes. As always he was fascinated by the clarity of color and felt he could drown in their depths. Her complexion was glowing and for a moment he ached to touch her soft cheek. He shook his head, trying to focus on the subject under discussion.

"That's better. Now then. I am happy to tell you that I have already received several offers for your hand besides the one this morning. I have considered them all and as of this moment feel that Bancroft Paige would be an acceptable suitor."

"Do you like him?" Amity asked.

"More to the point, my dear, is whether you like him."

"He is quite handsome," she admitted. She caught her lower lip between her teeth, her eyes focused inward. "I have found his company pleasurable and his manners are impeccable."

"Do you have some feeling for the man?"

"I do not know," she answered. She blinked several times and brought her attention back to her guardian. "What sort of feeling?"

"It varies, my dear." By her very confusion, Max could tell that her heart was not engaged with Paige and for some reason that pleased him. He supposed it was because he wished her to make a thoughtful decision, rather than leap to a conclusion, as she was wont to do. "Sometimes it is a feeling that you miss the person or your heart might jump with excitement when you see a certain someone. Do you feel that with Bancroft?"

Amity's nose wrinkled as she concentrated on her feelings. Moments later she shook her head, looking rather wistful. "Truly, Max, I cannot claim to either of those feelings. All I can say is that I am always pleased to see him. He can be very amusing. I enjoy talking to him and we seem to be friends."

"There is more to marriage than mere friendship," Max said. There was such an aura of innocence that surrounded Amity that he wondered how much awareness she had of the intimacies of married life. "Have any of the gentlemen of your acquaintance made any advances to you? A touch or a stolen kiss?"

"Oh, no, Max. They have treated me with great care," she answered, her eyes wide with sincerity.

That certainly is a sad commentary on modern youth, Max thought in disgust. He could not imagine how any virile young man could be in the company of Amity and not try to press a kiss on that wide, lush mouth. The cherry lips were parted now and the sheen of moisture covering them beckoned. He groaned at his wandering thoughts and jerked away from the desk, walking toward the door.

"Bancroft in particular," Amity continued, "has been most attentive. He treats me very well, as if I were some fragile flower that at times I find rather amusing. Would you like me to marry him?"

"Heaven forfend, Amity!" Max whirled around and glared at the girl.

"I thought you said you found him an acceptable suitor," Amity argued.

"I am not the one who will be marrying the man! You are the one who must make the decision. As your guardian, it is my duty to make sure that any offer made to you would be to your benefit. All I have said is that I find Bancroft Paige acceptable."

"There is little need to shout at me, Max," Amity said, an injured look on her face as she gripped the parasol with both hands. "I am trying to understand what you want me to do."

"My dear, I am sorry for being so contentious," Max said. He did not wish to argue the merits of Bancroft Paige. He wanted Amity to make her decision with haste so that he might get on with his own life, free of her disturbing presence. He drew a deep breath and crossed the room to stand beside her chair. "Please believe me I have only your best interests at heart. Paige will call on you this afternoon. It is a good offer and I think you should accept him. Perhaps you do not entertain any strong feelings for him at this point but once you are married those feelings will come. I think he would make a good husband. He would provide financial security and he no doubt would cause you little grief," Max said.