unexpected surprise.”
“I hope I am not calling too late,” he began, stopping in front of her desk.
She brought a smile to her face, hoping it appeared cordial enough. “Not at all,” she replied, lowering herself gracefully onto her chair. “Now, how may I help you?”
“I want a wife.”
Katherine’s jaw dropped at his blunt declaration. It took her a long moment to recover. Finally, she asked, “I beg your pardon?”
As he sat down, he declared, “I have decided I would like to hire you to find me a wife.”
“You want to hire me to find you a wife?” she repeated hesitantly.
He looked at her with a baffled expression. “Isn’t that what I just said?”
“You did, but I am afraid I found it so shocking that I had to repeat it,” she admitted.
His eyes flickered with amusement. “Is it so hard to believe that I am interested in matrimony?”
“Frankly, yes,” she replied. “I thought you were against matrimony, at least for yourself.”
“I was, until recently.”
“May I ask what changed?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I realized that a wife might cheer me up,” he explained. “Perhaps break up my melancholy.”
“You are looking for a wife to amuse you, then?” she asked, arching an eyebrow.
“Partially.”
Katherine frowned at his response. “Have you considered getting a dog, my lord?” she inquired. “They are a lot easier to care for and could cheer you up.”
“I do not want a dog,” he stated. “I want a wife.”
“And I contend you do not truly want a wife.”
Looking displeased by her remarks, he asked, “Why is that, exactly?”
Threading her hands together, she brought them to rest under her chin. “Lord Berkshire,” she started slowly, “you don’t believe in love. My sisters and I strive to find love matches for our clients.”
“I am well aware of that.”
“Then you do believe in love?” she questioned. “Because last night—”
Lord Berkshire spoke over her. “I am well aware of what I said last night, but I am now open to the possibility of finding love.”
Lowering her hands, Katherine stared at Lord Berkshire as she attempted to gauge his sincerity. He appeared genuine, but she wasn’t falling for his act. One did not change that quickly.
“What game are you playing?” she asked boldly.
He looked at her, stunned. “I am playing no game,” he protested. “I am merely hoping to hire you to secure me a wife.”
“You want a wife, do you?”
He lifted his brows. “I believe I have said that, multiple times, in fact.”
“Are you willing to put forth the effort to find a potential bride?” she inquired as she reached for a piece of paper.
“I am.”
“Fine,” she said as she picked up the quill. “I am going to ask you a list of questions, and I will need you to be forthright and honest with me. “
He shifted in his chair. “I can do that.”
“Why do you want a wife?” she asked.
Lord Berkshire cocked his head. “I believe I already told you that I am looking for a wife to bring joy back into my life.”
She humphed. “Marrying someone will not guarantee joy in your life,” she contended. “In fact, marrying the wrong person will bring forth heartache and sorrow.”
“I’d better not marry the wrong young woman, then,” he responded, smiling.
“Quite right,” she muttered. “What qualities are you looking for in a potential bride?”
He brought his hand up to rub his chin. “I would like her to be beautiful and clever.”
“Do you have an age preference?”
“I do not want to marry a debutante,” he replied firmly. “I would prefer my bride to be slightly older.”
Katherine was still writing down his remarks when she asked, “May I ask what your hobbies are?”
“I work.”
“Do you do anything besides work?”
He nodded. “I like to ride.”
“Very good,” she commented, glancing up at him. “Then I assume you want a wife who is a proficient rider?”
“I suppose so, yes.”
“Do you have any other specific requirements?”
Lord Berkshire gave her a blank look. “Not particularly,” he replied. “I will trust that you will find me a splendid match.”
Katherine placed the quill down and inquired, “Are you sure you are ready for the responsibility that comes with having a wife?”
“I assure you that I am.”
Still not entirely convinced by Lord Berkshire’s drastic transformation, she leaned back in her chair. “If you are in earnest about seeking a bride, then I will expect you to attend some lessons alongside your sister.”
“I would expect no less, but I assure you that I do not have any quirks that need to be rectified.”
She