Chapter 15
fifteen
Maybe proposing to a lady shouldn’t be treated as a regular business deal, but Tristan didn’t know how to handle it differently. He had only one strategy he used for everything from business deals to personal relationships, and it consisted of a direct approach and clear conditions.
Admittedly, the strategy worked well for one, but not so well for the other, judging by his astonishing lack of friends. But he couldn’t change overnight, and once he made a decision, he wanted to go on with it.
That was why he’d driven to Archer Hall to see Effie.
From his carriage, he stared at her house.
How different it looked from his own now that he paid attention to it.
It was all bright and cheerful with colourful bushes of peonies, pretty light green curtains, and outdoor vases of red geraniums. He found the house more intimidating than his own; it elicited too many emotions.
He exited his carriage right when she walked along the pavement towards him. He took that as a good omen.
He waited for her, ignoring the hint of worry rising in his chest and the visions of their kiss flashing across his mind.
He was a marquess and a successful businessman.
She was probably looking for a suitor. Her father would oppose, but if she agreed to marry him, he could push Winchester.
It was logical for her to agree to become his wife. He was a good match.
Her smile was a little shy when she stopped in front of him, carrying her veterinary bag. “Lord Montcrest, are you here to see my father or me?”
“You.”
“Is Zeus all right?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Would you like a cup of tea?”
“No. I would prefer a walk.” He offered her his arm.
She hesitated before taking it.
“May I carry your bag?” He stretched out his free arm.
“Thank you.” She handed it to him.
They walked along the pavement towards a small park where lush trees swayed their green canopies in the breeze. Another good omen.
“What did you want to tell me?” she asked.
He should start with an apology for having touched her the other day, but he decided against it. Apologising before a proposal seemed the wrong way to begin a solid relationship. But on the other hand, she would appreciate an apology, and what she wanted was his priority.
“I thought about what had happened the other day.”
She stiffened, gripping his arm more tightly.
“I’m aware I didn’t behave like a gentleman. A gentleman would propose before taking liberties with a lady, and that’s what I mean to do.”
She gazed up at him. “Excuse me? You want to propose so you can take liberties with me?”
Damn. That had come out wrong. He should have prepared a speech. “Yes. No.” He paused in the awkward moment. “I’m saying I want to ask you to marry me.”
She stopped walking, her lips parting. “Why?”
“Because I want to.” He understood too late he’d said the wrong thing with the wrong tone.
What he’d meant to say was that his biggest wish was to have the honour of marrying her because being close to her filled him with peace and hope.
His habit of economising on the words had prevailed over his good sense, which admittedly wasn’t strong to start with.
The shock disappeared from her face, replaced by annoyance. “Just like you wanted to dance with me. But marriage isn’t a polka. Things don’t happen just because you want them to.”
He bowed his head. “It came out wrong.”
“No, it came out perfectly well.”
“Effie.” He straightened. “I need a wife, and you need a husband. The logical thing to do is to get married.”
He should shut up. While what he’d said was true, it wouldn’t appeal to her, especially told in that fashion.
“You’re worsening the situation.” She slid her arm out of his.
She was right, and he didn’t know how to repair the damage. He was too used to speaking as a businessman.
“You should appreciate the fact I asked you first instead of going to your father.”
She folded her arms over her chest. “For that kindness alone, I should marry you, which for you is only a business transaction.”
“No.” He exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m not making much sense, but I find you very attractive. More than should be reasonable.”
He probably shouldn’t have said that, either.
Not in that dry way. He’d never felt what he felt for her ever before.
The onslaught of emotions within him caused by her mere smile didn’t make sense.
That was why his attraction was unreasonable, but it sounded as if he didn’t think she was beautiful, thus the attraction didn’t make sense. His thoughts were all over the place.
He held up a hand. “I didn’t mean that. You’re incredibly beautiful.”
Her eyebrows lowered over her blazing eyes. “Lord Montcrest, the conversation ends here. Thank you, but no, thank you.” She snatched her bag. “As I said, marriage isn’t a business transaction.”
She turned around and walked away, but he wouldn’t renounce her without a fight.
He followed her. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“But you did.”
The words he wanted to say—that he loved her kindness and compassion; that, yes, he found her beautiful, but her beauty wasn’t the only thing he liked about her; that she meant peace for him; that his troubled soul was quiet only when she was with him—remained trapped in a knot of emotions in his throat.
As angry as she was, she would reject him even after he said those words, and her rejection would hurt too much because it would come after he’d opened himself to her, after he’d made himself vulnerable to her. That wasn’t the type of pain he was interested in.
He watched her leave him, aware he deserved her anger and the pain.