Her heart sighed. “In answer to your question,” she began, letting the curtain fall and turning back to face him, “I find the view beautiful, rather enchanting.”
The earl jerked his head back. “Oh, like most ladies, I expected you to say cold and bleak for that is the perfect description of my parents’ marriage.” Sadness infused his tone. “Few people witness something magical.”
Then she was one of the lucky ones. Her parents’ marriage had been magical until the tragic end. “I imagine some people are as pessimistic about marriage as they are about winter. My grandfather taught me to see the beauty in everything. Perhaps if you do the same, my lord, you might find one lady here has hidden merits.”
“A man should not have to search for a reason to marry, Miss Bennett. When he finds the perfect life partner, does he not feel it in his soul?”
Lara had witnessed the power of true love firsthand. “One hopes, but it seems to happen to so few.” For someone she had met a mere twenty minutes earlier, the earl seemed most forthcoming with his opinions.
“I would rather partake in a discreet liaison than shackle myself to a spouse I despise.” The earl’s gaze turned penetrative. “Though I doubt one of your fair sex would agree.”
The depth of his stare sent heat creeping up her neck. “My views on marriage are of no consequence.” She glanced at Lady Denham and thought she saw the matron blink. “I am merely thankful for your hospitality.” That was the truth.
“What?” he mocked. “Like Miss Pardue, you have no wish to bemoan the sad fate of downtrodden women? Like Miss Harper, you do not wish to force your opinion? Or perhaps you are more like Miss Mason-Jones, and you would rather agree with everything I say.”
Was he trying to goad her, to rouse her ire?
Was he trying to find a flaw in her character, too?
“Perhaps you have suppressed your frustrations for so long, my lord, anger informs your opinions. Perhaps you think I might say something to convince you all women are an unsuitable match for you. Instead, might I suggest you have an honest discussion with your mother and tell her you lack the strength to make a lifelong commitment without love?”
She had gone too far.
Montague would say she had not gone far enough.
Indeed, that might be the reason she added, “Some ladies prefer a confident man with a compassionate character over money and a title. A man who can see beyond a lady’s minor failings.”
A deathly silence ensued.
The earl stared at her, blinking as if he still had snowflakes stuck to his lashes.
She couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. Who was she to preach about honesty when she had arrived at the house under false pretences?
Thankfully, the butler entered carrying a porcelain bowl. He placed it on a side table, and Lara wrung out the linen square and wiped Lady Denham’s brow. As soon as the cold water touched the matron’s face, her eyes flew open, and she scanned her surroundings.
“Hugo? Why am I lying on a chaise in your study?” Lady Denham brought a limp hand to her brow. “And why are you gaping as if I’m about to give up the ghost?”
“You swooned, Mother.” The earl glanced up from the woman—who had clearly been pretending to be incapacitated these last few minutes so she could listen to their conversation—and met Lara’s gaze.
“Poppycock! Young gels swoon. Respectable ladies take a slight turn.”
“Miss Bennett helped carry you into the study.”
“You hit the floor with remarkable speed,” Lara confirmed. “A mere second after I mentioned my grandfather is Lord Forsyth.”
Perhaps she should hint that the gentleman was in the area. It would certainly add credence to the tale. Lara mentally shook her head. She still couldn’t believe she’d agreed to such a foolhardy plan.
“Mention that man’s name in public, and most ladies swoon.” Lady Denham sat up. “Swoon with shock, my dear, not from some romantic interest. No, heaven forbid a lady should fall for that seducer’s smooth tongue. Heaven forbid.”
Lara pursed her lips. Montague Forsyth did not pander to society’s dictates. He said what he meant, and he meant what he said. “My grandfather had a reputation for being reckless in his youth. But when a man loses the love of his life, it affects him in strange ways.”
If Lady Denham had looked pale before, she looked positively ashen now.
“Your grandmother died young?” the earl asked.
Lara forced a smile. “Perhaps we should get Lady Denham to her feet. A stroll along the hall will soon have her right again, as will a glass of sherry.”
“Indeed,” he agreed. “Miss Harper won’t sit still for long and will soon be on the prowl, ready to sink her claws into her next unsuspecting victim.”