“Right then, Fletcher. I would like to propose a plan. I believe there is a compromise—albeit an unconventional one—available to us.”
Fletcher leaned forward in his seat, “Yes, Your Grace?”
He turned to face Fletcher.
“You said that love grows over time, whereas infatuation fades.”
“So I propose this: ninety days. Give me ninety days to prove that my feelings are of love, not infatuation. If what you say is true and it turns out that I am merely infatuated, then I will clearly feel very differently by the end of the ninety days.”
“But ifIam correct—and I strongly feel that I am—then my feelings for Miss Meyer will be just as strong, if not stronger, by the end. Yes, I would be in a far better position to make a decision by then.”
Fletcherstill was not convinced.
“Pardon me, Your Grace. It still appears to me that this would be a pointless exercise. After all, what difference would it make if you were to decide now or decide later? Yes, you would have a better idea of the true nature of your feelings, but nothing else would change.”
Anthony sat down at his desk again.
“Allow me to further clarify my proposal. If by the end of the ninety days, it is proven that I was merely infatuated with Miss Meyer, then I will allow you to dismiss her with honorable references.”
“But if I have not changed my mind, then I would expect you and the rest of the household staff to be in full support of us. I do not want to hear murmurs or any reproach directed at Miss Meyer. And anyone who is, for whatever reason, ashamed to be a part of my staff at that point may request for their dismissal along with a hefty compensation.”
“But remember,” he remarked sternly, “until the ninety days are up, I do not want anyone interfering with either me or Miss Meyer. If I find anyone at all attempting to meddle, I shall hold you accountable. Are we agreed, Fletcher?”
Fletcher extended his hand.
“Your Grace, your proposal appears sound and reasonable.”
Anthony shook his hand.
“All right, then the ninety days shall commence tomorrow.”
Chapter 21
“At the risk of sounding overly familiar with ladies’ perfumes, allow me to point out that this is one of the most expensive ones currently available. They’re certainly trying everything they can to show you that their family is worthy of you.”
Colin waved the Ridlingtons’ scented letter in front of Anthony’s face before tossing it into the pile of other letters of thanks sent by the rest of the dinner guests.
Anthony silently contemplated what to do with the stubby dwarf of a mountain. He would much rather have preferred it to be an actual mountain, for at least he could then find entertainment and thrill in scaling it. However, when mountains are so flimsy and so small, the only entertainment one could hope to find in them was in sniffing the perfumes with which it had been coated.
Kenneth put down his book.
“If I may be honest, lads, I was a bit disappointed that none of the ladies seemed particularly interested in me that night—was I not charming or humorous enough? And to think we even had new formal evening attire made.”
Colin laughed, “Yes, I saw you trying extra hard to make an impression. But cheer up, old boy. At least one of us received some considerable favor that night. If Anthony ends up marrying Lady Ridlington, then you and I shall demand a considerable fee for essentially fixing them up.”
“Maybe next year.”
“I beg your pardon, Tony?”
“I said maybe next year. Perhaps I shall be in a frame of mind better suited to marriage by then.”
Anthony watched their faces carefully. Kenneth seemed as though he had something to say about the matter but instead settled for reading his book, while Colin seemed skeptical.
“Really, Tony? So you have absolutely no interest whatsoever in such matters until then?”
“Correct.”
Colin narrowed his eyes at him, “You aren’t interested in anyone at all?”
