‘I don’t think many of us thought about you like that. You were just seen as a privileged, perhaps over privileged, playboy type who could have anything and anyone he wanted.’

‘I’m sure it did seem like that, and to an extent it was, apart from having anyone I wanted.’

‘Oh?’

He shrugged and I waited for him to elaborate but he remained silent.

‘How did your parents feel about you dating girls from the village if they had certain women in mind for you?’

‘I don’t think they cared. The men of the aristocracy are allowed to have as much fun as they like, with whomever they like, just don’t start getting serious about the wrong person. That’s the golden rule.’

‘Was there someone that you really wanted to get serious with that they wouldn’t have approved of?’ I thought back to what he’d just said. ‘I have to admit, you always appeared as if the word commitment was a complete anathema to you.’

‘Partly it was, but some of that was self-preservation. I knew some of the women I went out with were only interested in the possible title that they might one day inherit should we marry, so I went out of my way to make sure, or at least give the impression, that I didn’t do serious relationships.’

‘I can name a couple of girls who were convinced that they would be able to change your mind.’

‘I’m sure you probably can, and I likely know the ones you mean. But unlike my parents, I really did want to marry for a genuine reason rather than title, or money, or any of those superficial motives.’

‘Is that what you told your parents?’

‘Yes. Looking back on it now, I probably should have been a little bit more circumspect with my choice of wording. Their marriage had effectively been an arranged one and I called it superficial. I might not agree with some beliefs they hold, but I didn’t want to hurt them.’

I laid my hand briefly over his as it lay on the cool leather seat.

‘I know you didn’t mean to hurt them and I’m sure they do too. Sometimes we say things in the heat of the moment and it comes out all wrong. I’m sure, in their own way, they only want the best for you.’

‘So long as that best includes Lady Cecily Fullington-Beck, I’m sure they do.’

‘Who’s that?’

‘A very beautiful woman from the social circle they deem acceptable for me to have my pick from.’

‘Not your type?’

‘She’s nice enough. We’ve known each other since we were kids. Our parents had plans back then to hook us up, but Cecily rather put a dent in that plan by marrying someone else.’

‘Oh, I see! Seems like you weren’t the only one who was against the plan?’

‘She was pretty happy to go along with it for a while, until she met an extremely wealthy businessman at one of the myriad parties she loves to attend. She’s quite the social butterfly is our Cecily.’