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He lifted a shoulder in an indifferent shrug “It is not a requiree”

She scoffed “I daresay it should be!”

“Why?”

“Surely you jest?”

“I never do about matters of the heart”

They sat before the slasses She took the drink he handed to her and sipped appreciatively

“At least you will ad a heart”

He chuckled, genuinely enjoying her rejoinders

She peered at hi the rest of your life with a woh I wish to entleman I did not esteem How can you think to marry without sentiments?”

No, he could not iine a cold union without affections His parents had loved each other dearly, and it had almost broken his father when she died Still, the earl had rallied and was ardently pursuing another union

“So you wish to marry,” he murmured

“I daresay I do!”

“Then, why are you still unwedded?” he asked, wondering if there was so more to it than her lack of dowry

She hesitated to reply, taking several sips of her wine as if to gather her thoughts Callisto lowered the glass, and he grabbed the carafe and topped it up

“I suppose no gentle lady with little connections and no money It would take a rare man to look beyond such deficiencies, and where would I find such a man? Certainly not here in Gloucestershire I’ve been slowly losing my faith that love is all that is required, and I must perhaps accept I am destined to remain a spinster”