as he walked into the study.
“What look?”
Martin came to a stop in front of his desk. “The look that says you have no intention of joining me at White’s this evening.”
“I’m busy.”
“You are always busy.”
“That is true,” Edward replied. “Why aren’t you?”
Martin put his hands up. “Because I am merely the grandson of a marquess.”
“You should buy an estate in the country,” Edward suggested, waving his hand over his ledgers. “Then you would be immensely busy.”
With a smirk, Martin asked, “And deal with all the problems that come with being a landowner?” He shuddered. “I will pass.”
“But being a landowner brings the opportunity for income.”
“Why bother?” Martin questioned. “I will eventually inherit the title of Marquess of Devon, which comes with multiple properties.”
“That could be years from now, especially since your grandfather is still remarkably healthy for his age.”
Martin shrugged. “Until I am forced to assume the title, I am going to live out my days as I see fit.”
Edward huffed. “You are wasting your life then.”
“It is my life to waste, and I don’t see it that way,” Martin replied. “Besides, you used to be a lot like me before your father passed away, and you inherited his title.”
“And now I see the error of my ways.”
Martin sat down on a chair facing the desk. “You have grown into a grumpy old man.”
“I am only thirty.”
“Yet you act much, much older,” Martin joked.
Closing the ledger in front of him, Edward said, “I’m afraid owning an estate can be quite time consuming.”
“Then hire a steward.”
“I already employ one.”
“Hire another one?” Martin suggested.
Edward shook his head. “It can be unnerving knowing that my decisions will affect generations to come.”
“Come have a drink with me,” Martin requested, leaning forward in his chair.
“Another time, perhaps.”
Martin appeared displeased. “You always say that.”
“Regardless, I will need to retrieve Kitty soon from Miss Blackmore’s townhouse.”
“The matchmaker?” Martin asked.
He nodded.
“Why is Kitty seeing Miss Blackmore?” Martin questioned. “She is only nineteen.”
“Kitty believes that Miss Blackmore can help her overcome her shyness,” he explained.
Martin looked unconvinced. “That might be an impossible feat. I have known Kitty for years and she still can’t look me in the eyes when we are conversing.”
“I am well aware of that fact, but…”
His voice trailed off when Miss Blackmore walked into his study with a determined stride. She was dressed in a pink gown that highlighted her comely figure perfectly. He cleared his throat at that wayward observation. Where had that thought even come from?
Rising from his chair, he greeted her. “What a pleasant surprise, Miss Blackmore.”
She opened her mouth, then closed it as her eyes darted towards Martin. “May I speak to you privately for a moment?” she asked sternly.
“Is that truly necessary?” Edward questioned.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “I assure you that it is, Lord Berkshire.”
Martin rose from the chair and offered a slight bow. “It is a pleasure to see you again, Miss Blackmore.”
Miss Blackmore’s face softened. “Likewise, Mr. Pemberton. How is your mother faring?”
“She is well,” he responded with a smile. “Thank you.”
“And your sister?”
Martin’s smile grew. “She is growing into quite the hellion.”
“That is no surprise.” Miss Blackmore laughed.
“No, it most assuredly is not.” Martin glanced between them before saying, “If you will excuse me, I shall be waiting outside, hoping you change your mind about White’s.”
Neither of them spoke as Martin left the room. Edward couldn’t help but notice that Miss Blackmore was staring daggers at him.
“Will you have a seat, Miss Blackmore?” he asked, gesturing towards a chair.
“No, thank you,” she replied stiffly.
“What would you like to speak to me about?”
As she walked towards the desk, she asked in a hushed but firm tone, “When did you intend to tell me that your sister has feelings for your solicitor? A Mr. Kendall, to be precise?”
“I beg your pardon?” he asked, not believing what he’d just heard.
She stopped in front of his desk. “Please do not insult me and tell me that you know not what I am speaking of. After all, I must assume that this was the ‘extenuating circumstance’ that you mentioned previously?”
“Did Kitty tell you that she had feelings for Mr. Kendall?”
“No, but it was evident by the way she spoke of him,” Miss Blackmore replied. “Kitty might not even realize that she has developed feelings for Mr. Kendall yet.”
Edward sat on his chair. “Nothing unseemly is going on between Mr. Kendall and Kitty, if that is what you are wondering.”
“Nothing?” Miss Blackmore repeated incredulously. “Then will you kindly explain to me why she is