Page 7 of The Earl and the Reluctant Lady
Fletcher eyed him. “And if I decide to court her?”
“I understand you recognized that Agnes is special. But she’s too damned good for the likes of you. She’s not like your revolving door of widows, there for you to seduce.”
“I realize that, Chris. I’m not daft. I recognize enough to see that Agnes is different. I said as much before you even knew who I was talking about.”
Chris shook his head. “No. She’s an innocent and deserves to marry a proper man. Not a scoundrel like you.”
“Even scoundrels can be reformed with the love of a good woman,” Fletcher said.
Chris snorted. “Perhaps some scoundrels, but it’s unlikely with you. I’d wager you’ve bedded more woman than I’ve ever met. Regardless of you, Agnes has decided to remain unmarried. She is not looking for any suitors.”
He’d be willing to endure Chris’s disapproval, but if the lady herself didn’t wish to be courted, then there wasn’t much Fletcher could do about that. “This is only her second Season. I realize I don’t have a sister, but do you feel it wise to allow her to give up on the prospects of marriage so soon?”
“What you fail to comprehend is that no woman should be forced to marry if she doesn’t want to.” The vehemence with which those words came out struck Fletcher.
“You feel very passionately about this,” Fletcher said.
Chris’s jaw clenched. “It is enough to say that I knew someone once who was forced and it has resulted in nothing but misery for her. I will not see my sister put through the same experience.” He threaded his fingers through his hair. “Understand this, Wakefield. If you touch my sister, I will see to it that you are given the most menial of assignments for the duration of your career with the Seven.” He paused for a moment, raising his eyebrows. “Unless your situation has changed, and your grandfather has become more forthcoming with your allowance, perhaps you no longer need this position?”
“Nothing has changed.”
“Right. So, while I work this job because of duty to her majesty, you do it to keep yourself in fashionable frocks.”
Fletcher barked out a laugh. Chris had no notion of what it was like to have to actually work for income. “How is it possible that we are the same age and you are such a bloody prude? Christ, Watkins, what you need is the warmth of a good woman to work some of that attitude right out of you.”
Chris scoffed. “And you wonder why I won’t allow you to court my sister.”
Fletcher slowly nodded. “Agnes is forbidden territory. I hear you.” There would be no convincing him otherwise.
That didn’t mean he’d forget about her. No, Fletcher suspected that little minx would haunt his dreams for years to come.
