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had wanted to see to her welfare by finding her a proper husband, and he was a better candidate than most. And she was qualified by birth and breeding to be his countess, despite her family’s recent history of scandal.
    By marrying her, he could also fulfill his duty to carry on his illustrious line.
And
he could honorably satisfy his fierce desire to have her in his bed.
    The only important argument, however, was how he felt about chaining himself to her for life in an irrevocable union.
    And the answer? The undeniable truth was, Arabella Loring was the only woman he’d ever met whom he might actually
enjoy
having as his wife. And he greatly doubted he would ever find anyone better to fit his needs.
    Marcus let out his breath as he came to a decision. Perhaps he’d gone daft, but he intended to propose to his eldest ward.
    Still regarding her in bemusement, he offered her a crooked smile as he gingerly rubbed his jaw. “Gentleman Jackson would have admired your right hook, Miss Loring,” he remarked, referring to England’s greatest boxing champion.
    Arabella’s mouth pursed with vexation. “How did you expect me to react when you accosted me that way? I was merely defending myself.”
    At her retort, Marcus nodded in sympathy. “Which you did admirably. And no doubt I deserved worse for allowing myself to get carried away like that. I sincerely beg your pardon.”
    When she didn’t reply to his apology, he dismounted slowly, keeping his eye on her.
    Looking around for her own mount, Arabella seemed dismayed to see her horse grazing half a meadow away. She retreated a step, clearly preferring to remain a safe distance from him.
    That made Marcus halt. He didn’t want to scare her off…not that he believed for one minute that she would scare easily.
    â€œI am not accustomed to women running from me,” Marcus commented laconically.
    â€œI am certain you aren’t,” she said, her tone dry.
    â€œYet you and your sisters appear to be making a habit of it. I’m informed that Roslyn and Lilian have been missing for several days now, ever since you received my missive expressing my intention to call today.”
    Stiffening, Arabella lifted her chin. “I knew it! Your servants have been spying on us!”
    It was indeed true, Marcus reflected. Over the past few days, he’d installed his own staff at Danvers Hall to supplement the two elderly retainers, chambermaid, and man-of-all-work, who tried valiantly but futilely to keep up the large estate. Servants loyal to him, who were willing to make regular reports on his wards. Arabella, he’d been told, had kept out of their way as much as possible, while her sisters were nowhere to be found.
    â€œI wanted to begin setting the Hall to rights,” Marcus replied truthfully. “But pray don’t change the subject, Miss Loring. I don’t doubt that you arranged your sisters’ disappearance in an effort to thwart me.”
    Arabella returned an innocent smile. “They developed a curious case of spots.”
    â€œDid they now?” Marcus said.
    â€œYes. A rash that was obviously a reaction to your intended visit. I worried that it was catching, so I sent them away in order to spare your health.”
    Marcus laughed. “Come now, Arabella. Can’t we agree to sheathe our swords for a time? I don’t want a battle with you.”
    Her determined expression softened a measure. “I don’t want a battle with you either, my lord, but you refuse to understand that we won’t be married off by a dictatorial guardian.”
    â€œI don’t intend to marry you off to anyone, I promise. In fact, I mean to marry you myself.”
    He could tell by the hiss of her breath that he had shocked her almost as much as he had shocked himself. It was incredible, Marcus thought, that he would actually consider the astonishing step of abandoning his precious bachelorhood and