Her brow furrowed, and she rested her elbow on the arm of her chair. “I was rather enjoying the events of the Season. Even today’s drawing room.”

He smiled. “I’m glad. I’m not asking you to become a hermit. We just won’t attend any more invitations until March. You’re welcome to visit with Lady Cassandra and take outings together. Weren’t you planning to go to Gunter’s soon?”

Her brow was still creased, and he suspected she didn’t like what he was suggesting. “Yes, we are still planning that as well as a few other things.” Fiona drew a breath. “Lord Overton, is this some sort of punishment for—”

He sat forward in his chair. “Not at all. I thought you wanted time to adjust. This seemed like a good solution.” Except she seemed to be enjoying her Season just fine, even if he thought she needed more tutelage. “It’s only for a short period.” Besides, with her safe at home, he could focus on finding his bride.

Her features finally relaxed, the lines in her forehead smoothing until they disappeared. “You mentioned you had problems. Is there any way I can help?”

He glanced toward the fire. “I, ah, need to marry this Season.”

“‘Need’ to? Is there a reason for your urgency?”

He didn’t want to reveal his father’s dying edict. It was one thing for people to conclude that he was countess-hunting given his reentry into Society and his improved behavior. However, to share his father’s machinations and the fact that he was manipulating Tobias from the grave was far more than he wanted to acknowledge.

“Now that I’ve inherited the title, it’s time,” he said. “I thought I could see you wed and then focus on my own marriage hunt.”

“I see.” She pressed her lips together and turned her head toward the fire.

Was she angry with him? Why wouldn’t she be? He’d treated her as an afterthought and had all but admitted it just then. “I apologize, Miss Wingate, for thinking of you as a task and not a person. It is important to me that you enjoy your Season. And your freedom.”

She looked back at him with a slight smile. “I realize this is also new for you and not something you expected. I am grateful you heeded your father’s wishes and gave me this astonishing opportunity. And for my expanding exposure to maps.” She clasped her hands in her lap. “I shall keep an open mind regarding marriage, particularly if I meet a gentleman who isn’t put off by my background or interests. It may be that no one in London will want me.” She laughed softly.

“That won’t happen,” Tobias said with firm certainty. “You’re beautiful, intelligent, witty. Why, any gentleman would want you. If you actively sought a husband, I predict you’d be betrothed within a fortnight.”

Her eyes rounded, and her face lost most of its color.

He rushed to alleviate her distress. “Only if you wanted to. We are agreed that you will take your time. I will focus my energies on myself.” He was the one who needed to be betrothed within a fortnight! Less than that now. “It’s good that you will keep an open mind, just in case you meet the man of your dreams.”