‘Maybe, maybe not. Grace is a woman who knows her own mind. She has worked and fought toe to toe with men since she began sailing. She is a woman who forces a man to live up to her expectations. And believe me, she expects a great deal.’
‘I am offering a title. I am offering to work as hard as any man would.’
‘And Grace will make sure you do it well. Gain her respect, and you will gain my trust. She will have this boat and the cargo. It is her dowry because she knows what to do with it.’
‘And Lucy?’
‘Lucy is too young to marry.’
‘They are nearly the same age!’
‘She will give herself to you and hold nothing back.’
‘As a wife should.’
‘A wife, yes. But to become your wife, you must prove worthy of being her husband.’
Cedric threw up his hands. ‘I am willing to work!’
‘Maybe, maybe not.’ His gaze hardened. ‘I return to England every so often, and I hear things. I know you are called The Inconsistent One.’
His cheeks burned. ‘That came from my aunt.’
‘The Duchess of Byrning. Yes, I know.’ Lord Wenshire’s brows arched. ‘A worthy woman. She is a leader in society.’
And a shrew who tarred Cedric and his father with the same brush. ‘She does not know me.’
‘Neither do I. At least not well enough to hand you either one of my daughters.’
Cedric ground his teeth, knowing that any father of an heiress would say the same thing. Still, it burned that he was being denied his choice of bride. It had made little difference to him before when one heiress was the same as another. But he had a preference now. He wanted Lucy.
‘What can I do to earn your respect? What can I—’
‘Earn Grace’s respect.’ The man folded his arms across his chest. ‘My decision is made.’
Cedric stared at Lord Wenshire. He saw the hard jut of the man’s jaw and the calm challenge in the man’s eyes. ‘But Grace has no interest in me.’ And the feeling was mutual.
‘Then learn to be consistent as you wait for Lucy.’
It was a test then, to see if he could be patient. If he could wait for what he wanted. If it were his life alone, then he could. He would! But his sisters did not have that kind of time. And neither did the tenants who had buildings falling down on their ears or the canal that was already rotting.
And yet he still considered it.
‘How long?’ he whispered. ‘Until you believe Lucy is of age?’
The man shook his head. ‘I cannot say. She has not found her strength yet.’
Cedric shook his head. ‘Did you see her this morning? Did you see how she negotiated—’
‘She was brilliant.’
‘Too right!’
‘And she did it to impress you.’
Cedric shook his head. ‘She loved it. And, I think, she wanted to impress you.’
Lord Wenshire snorted. ‘I have adopted her. She has no need to impress me.’