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Sutton waved a dismissive hand. “If you want a purpose, marry a young chit, sire a son or two. Get a piece of land from your brother to manage.”

Adam chuckled. “You sound just like my brother. Are all you titled people this single-minded? There’s more to life than siring children, or at least, there should be. Besides, I don’t see you trotting about happily with your purpose fulfilled.”

Sutton grimaced and shifted in the chair uncomfortably. “My job is half done.”

“Well, perhaps for you, that’s enough. But marrying a woman I don’t care about and then abandoning her at one of my estates while I continue leisuring away in London is not something I am interested in.”

Sutton looked away. He didn’t say anything, didn’t disagree. Adam grimaced, thinking he’d been too harsh in voicing his judgment. “My parents had a love match. So, if I ever marry, that’s what I want.”

Sutton smiled wistfully. “Don’t we all?”

Adam looked at Sutton sharply. If Sutton wanted a love match, why marry a woman he couldn’t stand? For that was the only reason Adam could see why any man would choose the arrangement Sutton had with his wife. While Adam wasn’t there for the courting, it was quite obvious now that Sutton’s union was anything but a love match.

“But let’s get back to your issue.” Sutton skillfully maneuvered the conversation away from himself, just like he always did. “I might know of a worthy purpose for you.”

“How so?” Adam raised a brow.

“Do you know Sir Franklin Richardson?”

Adam huffed a breath. “Of course, I do. A Naval Officer during the Napoleonic Wars, a hero, an explorer.”

“Well, he is collecting a team for his next expedition to Canada as we speak. I talked to him a few days ago, and he told me that he was looking for a young, strong man, preferably a linguist, or at least someone who spoke a few languages and had a diplomatic background. Sound like anyone you know?”

Adam was taken aback. He had just been talking about his dream to explore the world with Beatrice! And now this opportunity presented itself? How fortuitous. He didn’t know the details, and perhaps he wouldn’t be hired for the job at all, but he already wanted to share the news with her.

Becoming an explorer would fulfill all his childish—oh, who was he kidding, his adult—dreams!

“What exactly is the job?” Adam asked cautiously, trying not to get too excited. “I just mean, what kind of man exactly does he need? I have no experience in naval service. I am not certain I shall be the perfect person for the job.”

Sutton shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t asked. But you can meet him yourself and find out all the details. All I know is that his budget is limited, so he can’t hire more than four naval officers. The others have to be civilians. And you’re just that. Either way, it’s a change of location, an opportunity to leave your mark in the world.”

Leaving a mark in the world sounded incredibly tantalizing.

“I think the expedition starts in a month and shall last for a few years. But you have time, don’t you? I can set up a meeting for you with Sir Richardson if you wish. Sometime next week? With your background working under the Secretary at War, you could be a great asset.”

A few years… He would be gone in a month and would travel for a few years if he were chosen. Extreme eagerness warred with doubt, but he wasn’t about to pass up this opportunity.

“Absolutely.” Adam forced his mind back to the conversation. “Tell him I would be honored to be considered for the position.”

The sound of music filtered into Adam’s ears. The second waltz was concluding. Which meant that it was Adam’s turn to engage Beatrice in a dance. Which also meant that the ball was almost at an end… Thank God.

“Send me a note if you need anything from me. I shall make myself available to meet with Sir Richardson anytime this week.” He slapped Sutton on the shoulder and left him standing alone on the patio.

Adam returned to the ballroom just as the dance had ended and a winded and blushing Beatrice was escorted to Isabel’s side. Not her chaperone Mrs. Merriglow’s side, but Isabel’s!

It seemed that Adam’s sister had completely taken the bluestocking under her wing and assumed the role of her chaperone, champion… a mother hen?

He stalked toward the pair and offered Beatrice his arm, while shooting daggers at his sister, who, in turn, only flashed him a triumphant grin.

“And how are you enjoying yourself, pray tell?” Adam asked as he escorted Beatrice to the dancefloor.

“Quite well. Why, thank you for asking.”

“I see.” He took her hand in his and placed his other hand on her back, keeping a respectable distance between their bodies. “Have you found your prince, or rather your scoundrel, to sweep you off your feet and carry you away from Lansdowne?”

Her hand slid up his arm toward his shoulder, leaving a trail of heat like molten lava in its path. Her eyes, so giant under her spectacles, blinked up at him innocently as she threw her head back in order to meet his gaze. “Perhaps.”

His hand tensed on her back, bringing her closer to his body as the music started and they moved in the dance. “Truly? And who might this lucky gentleman be?”