Merrick nodded. “The Howard girl clings to her mama’s skirts at balls and will not leave her side, so we have not spoken more than a few words.” He would never consider Lady Cecily, though he did not mention that to Lady Harrison because he didn’t care to fuel the gossips as to his reasons. Miss Milne was a possibility, though with her common background and lesser connections, she had not been invited to tonight’s ball. Louisa’s remarks about her appetite did explain why he could never find her at other events she attended though. He’d avoided the supper room in the hopes of striking up conversation away from prying eyes. He wasn’t keen to single out any one woman yet, but if he wanted to speak with Miss Milne, he was looking for her in the wrong places. “Thank you for the information.”

“It must be rather tedious to court a proper girl, given your past preference for naughtiness. Everyone expects you to continue as you always have, and there have been more than a few long faces this season, I can tell you.” Louisa’s gloved fingers curled around his. “You should stick to your own kind, Rothwell. You want a wife with an adventurous manner, not a frumpy mouse who’ll clear the sideboard in one sitting. I think Lady Cecily deserves a longer look. She has come into her own in terms of fashion, thanks to her aunt’s excellent influence. If you would simply tell me your exact requirements the pain might be done already. You’re holding back something, I can tell. If I knew all it might make finding the right wife for you easier. I hate to see you unhappy and I know just the way to make you smile again.”

Her hand slipped lower to brush across his groin, tempting him away from his plans for the night. A romp with Louisa would do his body good, though getting caught in an affair, no matter how fleeting, was the surest way to lose ground. The ball underway was in part a way to help him find a wife. He had spoken with Lady Mary tonight, though he still had doubts they would suit. Her mother and father had seemed ill at ease when he joined them, almost frightened, which he found utterly ridiculous. He did not make a habit of seducing virgins, though it was highly likely he would end up married to one. Observing Miss Milne’s behavior around others would require planning on his part and would await another evening.

“What I want precisely is my business to know.” Merrick eased back from Louisa, offering an apologetic smile. “I do appreciate whatever advice you can offer, my dear.”

She pouted. “Whoever you marry had better deserve your skills in the bedchamber. You will find you sacrifice much freedom in a marriage.”

“That is true.” And it was also not. The lady he married would be the one to sacrifice much. The rumors of his father’s misdeeds had plagued Merrick his entire life. His mother had fled society eventually, humiliated and hurt because it was all too true. Once Merrick married, he feared that his wife could be subject to the same sort of speculation.

Yet he needed a son—a legitimate heir to take responsibility for the estate and all those who depended on him.

So in return for taking him on, and the burden of his father’s legacy, Merrick would make his own pledge. Fidelity. His wife would be the only one to bear his children. There would never be a bastard child bearing his likeness. He would not cause the same pain as he had witnessed in his parents’ marriage. He had told no one of his thoughts on the subject because in truth, he expected to be disbelieved. However, he had come to the decision that the woman bound to him for the rest of her life deserved the same consideration. “I should return to the ball.”

“A pity.” Louisa’s gaze searched his, and then she smiled, proving there were no lingering hard feelings about his unavailability for a romp in the foreseeable future. “There is a dinner at Lady Berry’s this week. I shall endeavor to have you invited so you might meet Miss Milne in simpler surroundings. Her parents will be guarding her as carefully as usual, which would get in the way of any seduction, but I am sure your charm alone will win her over the dinner table.” She looked up at him from under her lashes. “And if you change your mind and want my company in private, I’m only too happy to oblige.”

“Thank you.” Miss Milne was at the top of a short list. There were still questions in his mind about her nature to be satisfied, and although she stirred no great passion in him now, Merrick had no doubts he could bed her successfully if they married. He had scant enough new information for tonight, but what he had would have to do.

Louisa flicked her fingers in an intimate wave and departed, leaving Merrick to make his way slowly back to the ballroom. As he returned, he mused at the gamble he was taking in confiding in Lady Harrison and placing so much faith in her information. The one thing in her favor was that she was no friend to his wider family, having locked horns with his aunt, Lady Penelope Ford, on several notable occasions.

Louisa was also very critical. She frowned upon indiscretions in the very young and unmarried set, an amusing contradiction for a woman whose dalliances were as scandalous as any he’d heard. But not for the first time did he fear that the names she’d supplied him were what she might want in his wife and not what he needed. It was clear she expected him to continue their assignations once he was married. It was altogether likely the names she’d provided were for women whose morals matched hers and who would turn a blind eye to indiscretions.

He caught the eye of a servant and secured a cup of punch. Not his favorite beverage, but his aim was to appear innocuous and no threat to a good woman’s virtue. As always when he thought of a good woman, his eyes turned to one in particular. Tall, slim, and perfectly poised. Arabella, Lady Farnsworth, stood well above those around her, wrapped in pink, tasseled muslin and a feathered turban hiding her pale hair. He had a slight acquaintance with her through a mutual friend, but while he knew much about her from shared confidences, he had actually spoken very little to the lady. Arabella might be a widow, but she wasn’t the kind to invite a gentleman to get to know her better. She was much too straightlaced to give him more than a cursory glance when they met. Judging by her frequent high color, his reputation with the ladies made her distinctly uncomfortable. She would never give him the time of day, so Merrick kept a distance and enjoyed the view from afar.

He frowned now though, his eyes flickering to her unexpected companion. What the devil was she doing in Lord Parker’s company again? Her niece, Lady Cecily, a debutante whose behavior bordered unacceptable, wasn’t even there to be paraded before the man. Parker, an older bachelor like himself, might have the distinction of being received everywhere, but there was something about him that didn’t sit well with Merrick. He wasn’t worthy of standing so close to the very respectable Lady Farnsworth, but Merrick couldn’t pinpoint why.

“Ah, Rothwell.” A pleasant male voice interrupted his musing. “Are you making the rounds again tonight?”

He turned to find Lord Louth, an earl he’d not spoken to in close to a year, looming beside him. Louth was extremely tall and broad and well-muscled. He dwarfed most gentlemen and tended to keep to himself. Merrick shook hands with him. “I seem to be. I’m surprised to see you here tonight.”

An unhappy grumble left Louth. “Keeping up with recent events.”

Merrick glanced at his face and laughed. “Your mother’s suggestion?”

“Something like that.” His gaze scanned the room slowly, as if looking for someone. His next words confirmed he was. “Have you seen Taverham of late?”

“Last week, I think. Passed him on Bond Street. Why?”

“Was he with anyone?”

“Only Lord Acton and his widowed sister. They’re thick of late, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Taverham is ready to give up on his wife’s return and find a new one.”