Wexford furrowed his brow as he studied Tobias for a moment. “This shouldn’t be so difficult. You’re a wealthy, reasonably attractive earl. Plenty of women would say yes to you, even if you are shagging a maid.” He held up his hand in self-defense. “Not that you are. Anymore.”

“Wexford makes a valid point,” Lucien said slowly. “About your options. It all depends upon how desperate you are, and it seems you may be nearing the point where you might, ah, broaden your prospects or lower your expectations? And that isn’t to say you should propose to just anyone, only that the thing you would normally require might be ignored.”

Such as falling in love. Tobias had genuinely hoped that might happen. However, he’d run out of time.

“Hell, you could start for Scotland tomorrow and find a woman on the way!” Wexford suggested completely unhelpfully. “Or you can find one in Scotland. Does MacNair have an unwed sister or a cousin?”

Lucien shook his head. “He has two sisters, but I think they may both be wed. Even if they weren’t, I’m certain he would no sooner want his sister to marry a rake like either of you than I do.”

“I wasn’t suggesting myself,” Wexford said with a bit of heat. “Furthermore, you know I am not interested in marriage for at least three more years.”

Tobias uncrossed his arms and set one palm atop the table. “And I am no longer a rake.”

“Last week’s maid was just a fleeting relapse?” Wexford asked.

“She wasn’t a relapse. She wasn’t even a maid.” Tobias picked up his glass before realizing it was empty. Fortunately for him, a footman in the corner noted his lack of whisky and came to rectify the deficit. Tobias looked up at him in gratitude as he retrieved the empty glass. “Thank you.”

Lucien’s eyes glittered as he regarded Tobias across the table. “Yes, about that. I have since learned that the woman you dallied with was not, in fact, an employee. The ladies’ housekeeper said she and another young woman she didn’t recognize were in the sitting room that morning. They said they were new and that I had hired them. I did not.”

Fiona had been with another young woman? She hadn’t mentioned it. Was it Prudence? Perhaps Fiona had been protecting her, which was smart. If Tobias learned it was her, he would toss her out immediately.

The footman set down Tobias’s whisky. He murmured another thanks before busying himself with a long sip.

“I can see your mind working.” Lucien seemed to realize Tobias was trying not to participate in the discussion of these women’s identities. “Do you know this woman?”

Tobias didn’t want to reveal his ward. But if he didn’t, they’d think he was kissing someone he’d just met in the garden while they were supposed to be meeting about the club. Did it even matter? They’d already cast him in the role of incurable lothario.

Lucien squinted at him briefly. “Perhaps you are trying to recall. Her hair seemed red.”