The man glanced to the side and seemed to focus on something on the far wall. “Yes, er, well. You see. Dorie was certain.” Exeter frowned as if unsure how to continue. “And I too was under the impression Miss Featherton was expecting an offer from you and would be, er, happy to receive it.”
Blast it all. Gavin wanted to kick himself. If only he could have brought himself to lie. Yet that was not an ideal basis upon which to begin a marriage. “That might very well have been the case, but she requires something I am unable to offer.”
One of his friend’s dark brows rose in a question.
Damn this was too embarrassing, but he still wanted to marry her, and he needed help. “She asked if I loved her, and I was unable to answer.”
Exeter took a sip of wine the waiter had brought instead of the brandy Gavin sought. He’d forgotten that his friend was averse to brandy during the day. “Not wise. Not wise of you at all.”
“I worked that out on my own.” Gavin couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of his voice. “You know I will not follow in my father’s footsteps. Love matches are all well and good for those who can manage them—although I’m not at all sure they last—but after seeing what Father went through when my mother died . . . Well, I refuse to put any family I have or my dependents through that. It’s not fair to them.”
“I understand your concern,” Exeter said before taking another sip of wine. “Obviously, my parents were not in love—at least not for many years—and the expectation of it from my mother destroyed their marriage. But Dorie’s parents were and are still in love. As you are aware, I had my doubts about a love match. We have only been married a few months, but I predict a long future for us.” He shrugged. “Then again, she has seen how to go about it. If you still want her, perhaps Miss Featherton can help you. I have heard that not only her parents but her elder brother and sister married for love.”
Gavin couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “How do you even know about her brother and sister?”
“I heard them talking about it. Dorie and Miss Featherton.” His friend flushed. “Not that I go about eavesdropping, you understand, but Dorie said my name as I passed the morning room door—”
“Don’t.” Gavin held up a hand. “I do not need an explanation.”
“They mentioned you as well.”
Hell!
Still, he couldn’t stop himself from asking. “What did they say?”
“That she was expecting an offer from you, and she was looking forward to being married.” Exeter frowned again. “She must have thought you loved her. I wonder what made her doubt you and ask.”
That was a very good question. “I have no idea.” His lack of an answer to that inquiry had troubled him during the walk to Brooks’s. Why had she posed the query? “I practiced the speech before I went to speak with her father. To her I detailed all the reasons I believed we could make a good life together, and set the question of marriage before her. That was when she asked if I loved her.”
“Hmm,” Exeter uttered thoughtfully, and took another sip of wine. “That might have been the reason.”
Gavin downed his glass of wine and poured another. “What might have been the reason?”
“Oh, that you were not romantic.” His friend’s brows drew together, then he nodded to himself. “Yes. I believe that’s it. If you would have simply taken her hands, proclaimed that you needed her in your life as your wife and the mother of your children, then kissed her, she would not have thought to have asked you.”
Cobwebs seemed to have taken up residence in Gavin’s head, and he shook it trying to make sense of Exeter’s words. It didn’t help. “I do not understand.”
Exeter leaned back in his chair, steepled his fingers in front of him, and tapped them together. “You approached her in the same way I imagine you approached her father. Using logic and good sense. But, when it comes to marriage, ladies like my wife and Miss Featherton have previously ascertained those things are part of a marriage. And they have already decided that the gentleman they want can meet those requirements. Your job was to convince her that you are passionate about her.” His brows lowered as he pierced Gavin with a look. “You are passionate about her, are you not?”
Considering that he’d been dreaming of having Georgie in his bed for months . . . “Yes. Extremely passionate.”
Exeter nodded. “As I thought.” He sat up and took another small drink of wine, then slowly shook his head. “I’m afraid now that you’ve made a mull of it, I cannot think of any advice for you except to tell her you love her.”
Gavin tossed off his wine and poured another. He really had created a pickle. If he had followed his instincts instead of his head he’d be betrothed, and the dreaded issue of love would not have arisen. “Your analysis is not at all helpful.”
“I suppose it isn’t,” his friend acknowledged amiably. “I shall give it some more thought, shall I? There might be another way for you to come about.”
“That would be helpful.” Although what Exeter could do Gavin had no idea. Still, he had been able to help Exeter and Littleton with their problems obtaining wives. Well, they had helped each other. Ergo, maybe Exeter could assist Gavin. “Thank you.” A thought occurred to him that his friend might ask his wife for help. “I would appreciate it if you could keep this conversation between the two of us.” He took a breath. “In other words, please do not ask your lady for help. It might get back to Miss Featherton.”
Exeter’s expressions had gone from confused, to insulted, to understanding. “Ah, I see. I am certain that if I ask my wife for her discretion, she will give it. However, it is your difficulty, and you have every right to request my prudence. It is, after all, your story to tell, not mine.”
It was a story Gavin did not wish to have anyone else know about. Truth be told, he felt like a fool. What man did not know that showing a lady how much he wanted her was better than attempting to convince her of the rightness of his cause? “Thank you.”
“If you wish to discuss your strategy before approaching her again, I am happy to listen.” Exeter flushed. “I might be of some use.”
Gavin almost chuckled. When his friend first suggested marriage—because it was just that—to the lady who was now his wife, she had soundly rejected him. “Well, you worked out the way forward, which is more than I can say.”
“That is only because I fell in love with my wife.” Exeter grimaced. “I wish it hadn’t taken me so long.”
That was something Gavin could not do. “Thank you. If I need to bandy about ideas, I will come to you.” He emptied the rest of his glass. “As soon as I have any new thoughts, you will be the first to know.”
Gavin saluted his friend and left the club. Now that he’d made a complete mess of his proposal, how was he to go about convincing her to marry him? If only someone could give him the answer he’d be a happy man.
Chapter Three
Luck had clearly decided to smile upon her. When Georgie arrived at Merton House both of her friends were there. Henley was sent to the kitchen for refreshments while Georgie joined her friends in Henrietta’s parlor. It was a large room facing the square and furnished more for comfort than for style.