Cooper nudged Seth’s arm with his elbow. “Come now, don’t make me navigate high society alone.”
“Win or lose, I’m done with high society,my lord,” Seth drawled. “All I need is an open sky and a house in the country.”With Cassandra in my bed.His mouth curved upwards once more. “And maybe some other flexible variables.”
“You and your flexible variables, Reeves.” Cooper rolled his eyes. “What you need is a wife.”
“Whatyouneed is a wife,” Seth parried. “Someone to manage your estate so you can let your sister marry.”
Cooper paused a few paces from the manor and turned to him with a serious expression. “Managing the estate isn’t the only reason I keep Cassandra around, though I’ll admit she’s better at it than I am.” He released an appreciative sigh before furrowing his brows. “It’s selfish, but I want to keep my sisters with me for as long as possible.”
“You can’t keep them with you forever.” Seth looked at his feet.
“Yes, I can.” Cooper’s tone was firm, and then softened. “Thanks to you. You saved Cassandra’s life. I owe you.”
Seth shook his head. “You don’t owe me anything.”
“No. I do. Anything you want, name it.”
“Anything?” Seth whispered.
There would never be a good time, and now was as good a time as any.
“Cooper,” Seth started, but as he opened his mouth, his tongue tied. He swallowed past the dryness in his throat. Heart beating frantically,sweat formed in his palms, his fingers twitched as he berated himself toaskfor Cooper’s blessing.
One simple question! One sentence! Good God, he went to war!
The taller man quirked a brow and crossed his arms in front of his chest, staring him down. “Come on, Reeves, out with it!”
Seth took a steadying breath. “I would like to ask for—”
“Mr. Reeves!” A voice called out from the doorway to the manor. Seth turned to see Mr. Sanderson jogging toward them.
“Viscount Lincolnshire, Mr. Reeves. Good morning to the both of you,” he greeted, and then turned to Seth. “Lord Bolderwood has requested to speak with you. Perhaps we could converse along the way?”
Cooper pointed to his own chest. “Me too?”
“Ah. No,” Mr. Sanderson said, glancing awkwardly between the two men. “It appears to be a personal matter.”
“And he tasks it to a stranger.” Seth huffed. “Go on ahead, Cooper. I’ll catch up with you.”
Cooper shrugged. “We’ll discuss what you want later. Don’t think I’ll let you off the hook!”
No,Seth thought with a grimace.I don’t imagine you will.
Hidden giggles floated behind him as he followed Mr. Sanderson to Lord Bolderwood’s study. Seth narrowed his eyes, put off by his newfound popularity. Public opinion of him had changed overnight. Saving a woman from a high-speed horse chase had earned respect from the gentlemen of the party, and attracted the attention of ladies, married and unmarried alike.
“How long have you known the Earl?” Seth asked.
“We are recently acquainted,” Mr. Sanderson said. “He’s a remarkable man.”
Remarkable.Seth wanted to scoff, but he knew how Lord Bolderwood presented himself. Even he had admired him at one point.
“Because of the contest?”
“Circumstance.” Mr. Sanderson flipped over the comment and changed the subject. “The telescope. Did you invent it, or the Viscount? With your background, I’m sure you have ideas on how it could be improved.”
“I don’t talk about business without my partner present,” Seth bit out, not appreciating how Mr. Sanderson kept fishing for sensitive information.
“Not questioning,commenting. A man with your talents could make a name for himself as a manufacturer.”