Page 32 of Unmasking the Diamond
Charlotte turned a cool gaze upon him. “I already find Lord Pendryn far more tolerable than you.”
“That is because he has said almost nothing. Just wait.”
“Perhaps you should take his example and think before you speak,” Charlotte countered.
Luca reached for his glass, mischief gleaming in his eyes. “Where is the fun in that?”
Charlotte opened her mouth to retort, but Alistair interjected. “Pendryn. Lord Luca. You are most welcome in our home.”
Lord Pendryn inclined his head. “Thank you, Alcott. That is kind of you to say.”
Alistair leaned forward. “And what has occupied your time as of late?”
“The usual pursuits,” Lord Pendryn replied. His tone was measured, but Charlotte noticed the faint tightening at thecorners of his mouth, as though he disliked such inquiries. “I have been learning far too much about farm equipment.”
Alistair bobbed his head in sympathy. “Ah, a necessary evil.” He paused. “I heard that you were labeled the most eligible bachelor this Season.”
Lord Pendryn visibly stiffened. “I do not pay heed to such titles. I am much more focused on increasing our land holdings.”
Charlotte could not help but admire that—if it was true. A man uninterested in Society’s games was rare indeed.
Raising his glass in salute, Alistair said, “Wise words from a wise man.” He turned to Jane, warmth softening his voice. “Although, marrying Jane was the smartest thing I ever did.”
“Good answer,” Jane teased.
Alistair smiled and set down his glass. “I only hope Charlotte will find someone who makes her as happy as Jane has made me.”
Heat pricked Charlotte’s cheeks. Why must her brother always thrust her into the center of conversation?
Lord Pendryn’s gaze slid towards her, assessing. “As the diamond, I would imagine you have your choice of suitors.”
“I do,” Charlotte admitted. “But none of them have piqued my interest.”
“It only takes one,” Lord Pendryn said graciously.
Before Charlotte could reply, Luca leaned back in his chair, his smirk firmly in place. “I’ll do it.”
Her head snapped towards him. “Do what, my lord?”
“I’ll marry you,” he said with an exasperated sigh, “under protest, of course.”
Charlotte’s brows drew together in disbelief. “And what makes you think I would want to marry you?”
“I am devilishly handsome, rich, and you could not possibly do better than me,” he replied as though the matter were already settled.
Suppressing the urge to laugh outright, Charlotte replied, “Thank you for the kind offer, but I must refuse.”
“Suit yourself,” he said with a shrug. “But if you change your mind…”
Ah, he thought he had bested her. Well, two could play at this game. Charlotte pressed her lips together as if considering. Then adopting a thoughtful air, she said, “I changed my mind. I will marry you.”
Luca choked on his drink, sputtering. “Pardon?”
“Yes,” Charlotte continued brightly. “I do not believe I shall get a better offer than the son of a duke. We ought to marry at once. Do you wish to acquire a special license?” She batted her lashes for good measure. “We could be wed tomorrow.”
He wiped his mouth with his napkin, panic flickering across his handsome features. “Are you in earnest?”
Unable to keep the laughter bottled any longer, Charlotte laughed. “No, my lord. I am merely teasing you. I have no desire to marry you—not even if you were the last man on earth.”
