When the Marquess Met His Match Read Online Free PDF Page A

not as if you’ve shown any compunction about arranging material marriages in the past. The Duke and Duchess of Margrave, for example, or—”
    “The duke and duchess made no material arrangement! And neither have any of the other couples I have brought together.”
    “Surely you don’t believe that,” he said, but she was glaring daggers at him, and he gave an incredulous laugh. “By God, perhaps you do believe it. Lady Featherstone, how can you have lived in England this long, arranged matches for countless peers, and still believe that marriage on this side of the pond is anything but a material arrangement? It’s certainly not an affair of the heart. Believe me,” he added, unable to stop the bitter edge that entered his voice, “I know.”
    “I, too, know all about marriage on this side of the pond, sir. I do not need you to explain it to me. And let me assure you that I am not in the least romantic. I am practical. I fully recognize that money plays a certain part in British matrimony, but my friends and the men they married formed unions based on far more than material considerations. Those couples had affection—”
    “Affection?” he interrupted, diverted and amused by her choice of words. “Well, I daresay affection would impel any man to the altar.”
    She set her jaw. “Laugh if you like.”
    Nicholas hid his amusement at once. “No, no, your approach sounds very logical,” he said, trying to sound appropriately grave. “But you do make me wonder . . .” He paused, and his gaze slid to her gorgeous mouth. “What of passion?”
    A rosy tint washed into her cheeks, showing that he’d rattled her cool complacency at last. “Passion is not really relevant to matrimony.”
    He laughed again. Her comment was so absurd, he couldn’t help it. “Since most British peers marry in the hope of producing an heir, I think passion is highly relevant.”
    Her expression hardened. “Passion does not last. Therefore, it makes an inadequate basis for matrimony. To those who honor me by seeking my advice, I recommend they base marriage on a solid foundation of sincere affection, shared interests, and like minds.”
    It was clear that teasing her was not helping his cause. “Can we at least agree that marriage should be approached sensibly?” he asked. “From that standpoint, surely you would be able to arrange several suitable introductions.”
    “I think not.” She rose to her feet. “I do not assist fortune hunters, even supposedly honest ones. I cannot help you, Lord Trubridge. I wonder why you think I would be willing to do so.”
    Nicholas tilted his head back to look up at her. “And I wonder why I am summarily dismissed for desiring the same sort of arrangement aspired to by many others who have sat in this drawing room.”
    She did not reply, and it was clear from her stony expression that there was no chance further discussion would change her mind. A pity, for she could have smoothed his way back into society and made this whole business so much easier, but it wasn’t meant to be. He’d simply have to go about finding his wife another way.
    “Very well,” he said, and stood up. “I shall have to conduct my search without your assistance.”
    “Terrible of me to expect you to find your own wife, I know,” she said, her voice taking on the dulcet sweetness of sarcasm. “I fear you shall now be forced to endure those tedious, proper courtship rituals, despite your contempt for them. I must confess I shall quite enjoy observing your attempts, Lord Trubridge.”
    “I shall endeavor to be as entertaining as possible for you.”
    “Do.” Now she chose to smile, and it was a smile of satisfaction, as if she’d won some sort of victory. “But I feel compelled to warn you that I shan’t make your quest an easy one.”
    “So, if I take your meaning, you are not only refusing to help me; you intend to block my efforts?”
    Her smile widened. “In every way possible.”
    If she hoped her