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there to be more meaning to it than that. I know it might sound ridiculous, but I have seen what a love match looks like and I do not want to settle for less.”
    “You are a romantic, Lady Elizabeth.” His observation caused his companion to blush rosily but also to lift her chin in defiance.
    “There is nothing wrong with that, my lord. Despite my mother’s manipulations, I refuse to marry someone who cares more for his horses than he does for me. Thankfully my grandmother left me an inheritance that is not encumbered by a requirement to be wed. If I do not find the match I dream of I shall be one of those eccentric women who take their own lodgings and have a dozen cats. It may not be conventional but it does sound comfortable.”
    “Obviously you have never been in a room with a dozen cats if you think that sounds comfortable, my dear,” Justice drawled, teasing her before continuing, “but you probably have a few more years before it needs to be of concern.”
    Again his companion sighed. “I do not get those funds until I turn twenty-one which isn’t for another fourteen months. I can only imagine what sort of pressure my mother will bring to bear in the meantime.”
    Justice found her melancholy tone highly diverting but managed not to laugh at her. “Is that why you are finding the Season not quite to your liking?”
    “That is part of it, my lord. Knowing my mother is watching every interaction with such hope and glee makes me nervous to allow her to get expectations. On the other hand, many of the people I have met during the Season are deadly dull. Most of the debutantes are either empty-headed simpletons or jealous cats who would rather spread a nasty rumour about you than speak pleasantly to your face. And many of the gentlemen are not much better.”
    “It would seem you need to widen your circle of acquaintances, my dear. Surely it cannot be that bad.”
    Elizabeth finally met his gaze and Justice was again surprised by the flutter in his chest as she offered him a genuine smile. “Perhaps I am exaggerating slightly for emphasis, but it is nearly that bad. I did make one dear friend which was lovely, but… ” She broke off her words, refusing to meet his eyes and pressing her lips together as though to prevent any more words from escaping.
    Justice burned with curiosity and wondered if this somehow connected with her refusal to discuss Sir Broderick. He aimed for nonchalance as he ignored her obvious discomfort. “It is true that a few close friends can make all the difference in a difficult situation. I am glad that you were able to find at least one kindred spirit.”
    He could feel her searching gaze examining his face but he kept his eyes on his horses as they had neared the fashionable district and the traffic had picked up. “What about you, my lord? Rumour has it that you are searching for a countess this Season. I am certain that is not why you called upon me this afternoon.”
    The earl was surprised by the chuckle that escaped him over her words. Despite her light words, he could tell she was watching him closely for his reaction.
    “In this, rumour is actually somewhat correct. I am not getting any younger. It is time that I remarry and produce some heirs. There is a distant cousin who could inherit, but a long line of my ancestors would not have appreciated me being quite so cavalier with the honour.”
    “Have you anyone in particular in mind?” she had the gall to ask.
    “Besides you, do you mean?” He couldn’t resist teasing her to see the delightful color rise in her cheeks.
    She returned his gaze with a haughty lift of her eyebrow but then her face creased into a smile as she giggled in response.
    Finally he answered her question just as they neared her house. “I have not yet found a specific lady, I am sorry to report. But I am looking for a mature woman, not a flighty debutante. I think a widow might be a good option. Not too old so that she cannot safely bear a few