David's gaze turned cold, his arms crossing tightly over his chest. "How?"
"It would be best if she is married before rumors start to spread, will it not?" Andrew asked. "I can help her secure a match. I know enough eligible men. I'll find her a husband within ten days."
David frowned, clearly skeptical but caught off guard by the sudden offer. "You're certain of this?"
Despite his flirtations, his charm, and the countless women he had met over the years, Andrew had never once crossed the line into scandal. He knew where the line was drawn, and he respected it. His reputation, carefully crafted over the years, was a shield, one that protected him from the more destructive consequences of his often careless behavior. He was a gentleman, despite what some might assume based on his habits. And though he would have never given much thought to marriage before, he understood the weight it carried, especially for women.
He couldn't stand by and let her suffer because of a misguided act of desperation. He had to help her, not out of any romantic notions, but because he understood, perhaps more than anyone else in the room, the consequences of being left without an option. That was something he would never allow to happen, not on his watch.
"I am. It's not a challenge to find her a suitable match. I'll ensure she is married before any damage is done." His eyes flickered to Lavinia, noting the slight relief in her expression, though it was quickly masked by apprehension.
David's jaw tightened at Andrew's words. "You have no idea what you're saying. We've been trying to secure a match for years. She's been paraded around, yet no one has shown any interest. Not a single respectable man has come forward."
Andrew's eyebrows furrowed as he turned to look at Lavinia. He couldn't understand David's words. From what he could see, Lavinia was beautiful. There was no denying that. Her bright blue eyes were clear and expressive. It looked like she was searching his soul every time she—very briefly—met his eyes. There was an elegance to her that naturally drew his gaze, though it was something more subtle than the beauty most ladies in London were known for. She wasn't thetraditionaltype. Her poise was warm, inviting, and grounded in a way that seemed to go unnoticed by most.
He didn't know her, but the idea that she hadn't been snapped up by a suitor bothered him more than it should. She was certainly not unattractive, though her style and the way she carried herself seemed to lack the polished edge others might expect. Perhaps that was the issue. The way she dressed was simple, unassuming...nothing extravagant, nothing bold. She didn't stand out in the way that others did. Her posture was graceful, but there was an underlying hesitance, something unrefined in the way she navigated the space around her.
It was something he could fix. With a bit of attention, he could see to it that she presented herself with the confidence that matched her potential.
"Leave it to me," Andrew said, prying his eyes off Lavinia. "I'll take care of it."
David didn't seem entirely convinced, but there was a clear pause, as if he was weighing the offer. "And if you can't find someone?"
"Then I'll marry her myself. Like you requested. But I'm certain that won't be necessary," Andrew declared.
"You will help me?" Lavinia asked, staring at him. "Honestly?"
"Yes," he replied, his tone steady. "I will help you. I'll find you a suitable match. I am quite a popular man. But, you'll need to trust me. I'll need you to be open to the changes I suggest. There's no time to waste."
David nodded, clearly relieved, his shoulders easing as if a weight had been lifted. "I appreciate this, Andrew. Truly," he said and sighed, turning to Lavinia. "Now, let's leave before any more damage is done."
Lavinia took a step to follow him, but before she could move any further, Andrew's voice stopped her. "One more thing, Lavinia."
She turned back swiftly.
We'll be having lessons," he said, his tone as unyielding as the steely gaze fixed on her. "You'll need to follow my instructions carefully, no exceptions. If we're going to secure you a match,you'll need to change how you present yourself, how you carry yourself, how you dress, everything."
He stepped closer, his presence towering over her. "You'll have to obey my every word. Do you understand?"
Instinctively, she assessed her dress before lifting her head to nod. "I understand," she finally replied, her voice quiet but resolute.
"Good," Andrew said and straightened his back. "We start tomorrow."
"Your Grace," Lavinia curtsied.
"Lady Lavinia," Andrew replied and scanned the park.
Lavinia glanced over her shoulder, where her chaperone, Mrs. Ellsworth, stood a few paces behind her. She was tempted to ask if she had heard anything noteworthy in the past day, to gauge whether rumors had started to spread about her meeting with Andrew. But she hadn't dared ask directly.
David had insisted that she meet Andrew at the park and now she was on edge. It was one thing for him to help her find a match, but quite another for them to be seen together, even if the meeting was innocent. He had a reputation, and it wasn't one she wanted to be associated with. He was a rake, a manwho lived for flirtation, for women who were just temporary distractions. The thought of being linked to him in any way made her stomach turn. The thought of marrying Andrew, or anyone like him, was unthinkable.
"What are you thinking about?" Andrew asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.
His hands were clasped behind him, his posture as perfect as ever. But there was something different about him today, something that caught her off guard. His usual rugged appearance had been polished, refined. His hair, always a little too long, was neatly combed, and he wore a well-tailored coat today.
"We shouldn't be seen together like this," she said to him, scanning the park. "I thought we would meet in my brother's study, formulate a plan away from prying eyes. This...this is too public, Your Grace."
"It's crucial that we're seen together, Lavinia. Publicly." He took a step closer and stood by her side. "People need to start seeing that you are a person of interest. Rumors that we need will begin to spread once they see you with someone like me, whether you like it or not. It will create the momentum we need."
