The Incomparable Miss Compton by Regina Scott Page A

with disgust at her easily duped heart. How could she keep entertaining that notion? She had never been gullible before. “I shall do whatever I can to be of assistance to Parliament, my lord,” she assured him. “Although I fail to see how I might be useful.”
    “You do yourself an injustice, madam,” he assured her. “I have been considering this matter for some time, have looked quite extensively. I can safely say that you alone appear to have the qualifications to undertake this task.”
    Her frown deepened. Was he going to ask her to be a spy of some sort? She could not imagine a worse ingénue. Surely he’d seen how easily her face betrayed her inward thoughts. It must be something else. “Perhaps if you were to give me a few details, my lord,” she ventured.
    He let go of her hands and sat back, once more looking sure of himself. “I would be happy to elaborate. A gentleman in a single state can only progress so far in Parliament before questions are asked. In addition, it is my duty to continue the Breckonridge line. I have considered the matter fully, and believe I need someone who can not only manage a household, but polish my speeches, and assist me in entertaining. In short, Miss Compton, I need a wife.”
    Sarah wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. How ironic, and how like the course of her life, that she had received her first and only proposal in the tone reserved for hiring a servant. She scanned his face again and saw only determination. The fire, the love that poetry, literature, and music celebrated, and she had been taught she had a right to expect with such a declaration, was missing.
    “What you need, my lord,” she corrected him, “is a good steward.”
    He leaned forward again, and she saw he was set on presenting his case. She could feel irritation building. Was she no better than a recalcitrant member of the opposing party? Did he truly think logic was the only thing at play here?
    It appeared so, for he launched into a speech. “I disagree. You see, I need one thing that no steward can provide. I need an heir. That requires a wife.”
    “It generally requires some amount of affection as well,” Sarah felt compelled to tell him.
    “Is it an impassioned plea you want, Miss Compton?” His eyes glittered dangerously. “I had not thought you shared your cousin’s fondness for playing on the gentleman’s desires.”
    “I certainly do not share it,” Sarah replied. “But I’d like to point out, sir, that you apparently have no desires on which to play. Marriage, my lord, is not a business transaction.”
    “Oh, but my dear, it most certainly is.” He rose again, obviously warming to his subject. She could imagine him pacing the floors of Parliament, meeting a gaze there, watching as heads nodded here. “Marriage is more than the union of two individuals. It is the melding of two families, the blending of two estates. It is the commitment of two minds to work as one toward a common goal. It is both our Christian duty and our God-given right.”
    Sarah put her hands together and clapped slowly. “Oh, very pretty, my lord. But you have missed the point entirely. Marriage is about far more than lands and minds merging.”
    He returned to sit beside her. “Do you look for passion as well? I have no fear that we would deal famously.”
    “Are you always this arrogant?” she asked, frowning.
    He grinned. “Nearly always so, particularly when I am attempting to persuade someone to see it my way. And have no doubts that I intend to persuade you, my dear Miss Compton. I have never met a woman more perfect to suit my needs.”
    Sarah shook her head. Why had she ever found this man the least agreeable? “And my needs have nothing to say in the matter?”
    “Certainly,” he agreed magnanimously. “Did we not agree that one of your needs is for a household of your own? I have estates in seven counties, as well as a townhouse here in London. You would have free rein to decorate them