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Conor had thought things would be easier once he had settled on a course of action. He had thought he would know exactly what he needed to do, and that it would just be a matter of doing it.

And yet here he stood, staring at his wardrobe and trying to decide how to dress for this afternoon’s occasion.

The problem, he thought as he flicked through his clothing in frustration, was that he couldn’t be sure whether or not he would be spending time with Astrid today. Was he going over to her father’s house to talk to Tobias Dawson, and then to leave? Or, once he was there, would he be permitted an opportunity to sit down with Astrid?

If he was going to be spending time with her, he wanted to make a first impression that would leave her in no doubt that the man seeking her hand was stylish and classy.

He shook his head, irritated with himself. When had this turned into him seekingherhand. He didn’t need her approval. She had been offered to him, by her father. All he had to say was yes, and she would be his.

But I don’t want it to happen that way, he realized.I want her to want me too. If she doesn’t, if she resents the offer, I don’t know that I’ll be able to say yes to it at all.

Hence the need for a good first impression. Hewouldhave to win her over after all.

I’m overthinking things. He selected an array of clothing at random. All of his things were fine. He didn’t own any clothes that would make him look shabby or careless. Whatever else you could say about the Earl of Middleborough, you couldn’t say that he wasn’t a well-dressed man.

It had occurred to him that when he arrived on Dawson’s doorstep today, the man would be expecting an answer to his offer. Conor thought that Henry was probably correct in saying that he had every right to want to meet the girl before answering. But Dawson might be taken aback.

And that might make him difficult to reason with.

I will have to be patient, Conor said to himself.Even if I know that I’m in the right and he’s in the wrong, I’ll have to give him time to consider and to decide that accommodating my request serves his best interests—which it does. He wants this marriage more even than I do. As far as he knows, it’s his only hope for remaining a free man.

At some point, they would probably have to sign contracts to that effect—stating that in exchange for the marriage of Dawson’s daughter, Conor pledged not to pursue any legal action against the man.Maybe we can simply include that detail in the standard marriage contract, he thought wryly.That would be romantic!

Once dressed, he made his way down the stairs to the main foyer of his manor. His butler, DuBois, was waiting for him.

“Has the carriage been called around?” Conor asked.

“Yes indeed, My Lord,” DuBois said. “And may I say, you look excellent. The young lady is sure to be pleased.”

“Thank you, DuBois,” Conor said. “I hope you’re right about that.”

DuBois inclined his head.

“Tell me something,” Conor said. “As a commoner yourself, if you had a daughter and she had a chance to marry a member of theton, would you want to see her do it?”

“Certainly,” DuBois said. “Such a marriage would provide social opportunities for her, as well as guaranteeing a life of comfort and luxury. Any father would want such an outcome for his daughter.”

“But what if the man in question was…less than admirable?” Conor pressed.

“I don’t know what you mean, My Lord.”

“Suppose he was a scoundrel?”

DuBois hesitated. “As a father, I would judge a man’s character for myself before allowing my daughter to marry him. I would not make any decision based on the opinions of others.”

“That’s a wise answer,” Conor murmured.

“I think any sensible father would do the same thing,” DuBois said. “And if a man decided to permit a marriage for his daughter, it would be because he had examined the man in question and approved of what he had seen.”

Conor sighed. “You’re very wise, DuBois. But not all fathers are good men. Some wouldn’t hesitate to trade away their daughters for selfish reasons.”

DuBois hesitated. “If you’ll permit me, My Lord…Tobias Dawson cherishes his daughter. This is well known. He wouldn’t trade her away for any reason unless he felt safe in doing so.”

“You think not?”

“The girl is well known,” DuBois said. “I don’t know her personally, but she is talked about. The maiden who never leaves her home. The watcher in the window. Everyone in town has seen her up there, looking down from her bedroom. She never leaves the house.”

“Her father is protective.”