Stephan laughed, too, although more at Caroline’s daring than his actual accomplishment of a feat that was, by all standards, quite over the line. The lady had spunk. She was also quite adept at maneuvering herself.
After dinner, he’d started to suggest a stroll in the garden, but she had yawned rather delicately and said she wished to retire for the night. Then she’d suggested, as casually as one might say one was going shopping, that the hallway on the second floor was a bit dark and she’d like an escort, and had taken his arm. Stephan had barely managed to keep from gaping as she turned to take her father’s arm as well. Not only did she forestall Sir Reginald’s objections by doing so, but she left no room for Tisdale unless he wanted to trail behind them. Which he might have done if Brice hadn’t posed a question to him.
“I should thank you for interceding with Tisdale,” Stephan said.
“I rather enjoyed setting the prig’s teeth on edge.” Brice shrugged. “Besides, I had a question about theSea Master.”
“Which was?”
“I wanted to know if she could really hit twelve knots close hauled in a stiff breeze.”
Stephan stared at him. “Twelve knots? She would have to be at least twenty more feet on the waterline to reach that speed.”
Brice gave him a smug look. “I know that.”
Stephan started to smile. “So you were testing Tisdale’s knowledge?”
“More like goading him,” Brice replied. “I wanted to hear what speed they had actually attained.”
“And his answer?”
“He hedged and said ‘not quite.’” Brice grinned again. “So I said, ‘Well, eight knots is not bad.’ He got indignant at that and said Captain Jones had her at a little over nine knots.”
Stephan’s smile widened. “Now we know what she can do. Good work.”
Brice nodded, his expression growing more thoughtful. “You have had theLady of Fortuneat nine knots only once. Do you think we can surpass that?”
Stephan sobered as well. “It might be tight, but theLadyhas never let me down.” He slanted a look at Brice. “Do you not think we can win?”
“Perish the thought,” Brice said. “I do not like losing any more than you do. I was just thinking that winning the regatta—apart from the glory of victory—would also elevate your level of acceptance with theton.”
“The only person I care to impress is Caroline,” Stephan said.
“I understand,” Brice replied, “but you are going to have to impress her father, too, if you want him to approve of your suit.”
“I am a damned marquis, if he wants a title. As you said, that trumps an earl.”
“But this particular earl has the prince regent’s blessing, remember,” Brice said. “Prinny is going to need a reason to change his mind.”
“Is providing the prince with entertainment by throwing the gauntlet down not enough?”
“Perhaps,” Brice answered and then paused. “But there is one other thing you should not forget.”
Stephan frowned. “What is that?”
Brice hesitated a moment longer. “While you are playing for keeps, Caroline thinks you are just doing her a favor by acting a part in what she calls a charade.”
He quirked a corner of his mouth up. “I plan to change that.”
“I hope you do,” Brice said, “but you need to know Caroline will not fall for a rake’s seduction.”
Stephan frowned. “Have you tried?”
Brice’s eyes widened and then he shook his head. “When George Ashley rejected her for his brother Alex’s fiancé, both Alex and Caroline needed a friend. Apart from that, she is not the type of woman that I am attracted to.”
“No?”
“No. I prefer experienced women who are willing and wanton and do not expect commitment. Just a good time and perhaps a nice present.”