Dominic nodded, confused at the agitation he saw. “Very well. I swear not to interrupt again.”
“Thank you.” Charlotte ran a hand through her hair, resulting in a few strands that fell across her face. “What was I saying? Ah yes. We agreed that we would win the games together and remain in our arrangement so that my sisters might marry.
“It is clear that with us being ousted from the games, the terms of the agreement are… somewhat less clear. And I know that you no longer want to be with me now that I am of no use to you, but I implore you to think of my sisters.”
So that is why she is being so cold. She thinks I do not want to be with her, that I have come here to end things with her.Dominic felt his heart break and wished he had not promised not to interrupt her. All he wanted to do was tell her just how wrong she was.
“You have already helped Evelyn marry, and for that I am grateful. So grateful. And I know you have only done so to expedite an end to our arrangement, and I have no wish to force myself upon you when it is clear you do not want to be with me. Yet Philippa is still unmarried, and there is still some time left in the season so she may yet find a suitable prospect.”
“What exactly are you asking?” Dominic canted his head towards Charlotte.
Even in her agitated state, she was beautiful. It baffled him just how wrong she was, and it irritated him in an endearing sort of way that she was so willing to believe that he would not want to be with her.
“I am asking that you keep up the appearance of us being engaged. We could try and minimise the contact we would need to have; after all, I am sure you are very busy with your responsibilities, and Evelyn has asked me to be her maid of honour which will fill up much of my time.”
Dominic was still trying to wrap his head around her proposal. “And how long do you propose we behave like this?”
“At least until the end of the season, if not until Philippa is married,” Charlotte said quickly.
Dominic paused a moment, considering Charlotte. He saw the cool resolve on her face and said, “And that is as long as you would wish us to keep us this appearance?”
Something flitted across her face, and Dominic recognised the lie in her voice as she said, “Yes.”
He drummed a finger thoughtfully on the window sill. “No. I do not think that would work.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
A WINNING POKER FACE
“No? What do you mean no?” Charlotte could scarcely believe what she was hearing.
After everything she had done for the Duke, after all she had endured, he was not even willing to grant her this? Did he really care that little for her that he would try and discard her as soon as he was able?
She had put her reputation on the line and that of her family. She had risked ruin, put herself through the ridiculous whims of a woman who was pretending to be dying, and now, he could not even do her the courtesy of helping her marry off her last sister.If he thinks he can just walk away after everything that I have done… Well, we shall see about that.
She opened her mouth, ready to lay into him with everything she had, but before she could say anything, Dominic spoke.
“I do not think that arrangement would work.” He shook his head, still facing away from her. “No, it would not work, not in the slightest. We would need to be engaged at least until spring of next year.”
Charlotte took a step back, her eyes widening as the anger that had coursed through her moments before gave way to confusion. “What did you just say?”
Dominic turned to her, a solemn expression on his face that did not entirely hide the amusement in his eyes. “I said that we would need to be engaged until at least spring of next year. And of course, for such a lengthy engagement, minimal contact would just not be feasible.”
“But… I do not understand.” Charlotte felt as though the room was spinning around her.What on Earth is happening?
“Do you not? Well, as I see it, being engaged to you has given me rather a lot of benefits.” Dominic began to list things off, ticking off each one on a finger. “Firstly, it will prevent the mothers of the ton throwing their daughters at me at any opportunity they get, after all, they will think they have a chance now that I have been engaged once. If we were to end things, no doubt I would be inundated with propositions.”
Charlotte frowned at Dominic. “So you wish to remain engaged to me to stave off the unwanted attention of the tons most eligible women?”
“Secondly,” Dominic continued as though she had not spoken. “I dread to think what my family would say if we were to end things. They think you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Apparently, I am more myself when you are around, and they have enjoyed seeing a softer side of me.”
Her cheeks reddened at Dominic’s words, and she tried to think of something even vaguely sensible to say. A tiny voice whispered that was only talking about how much his family liked her, not himself.
“In truth, I agree.” Dominic said, moving towards her. “And such family events are certainly far more enjoyable with you around. And of course, your knowledge of herbs is invaluable.”
He touched a hand to his pocket and drew out a sprig of lavender. “Without this, who knows how I would get on?”
“Who would have thought I would prove so useful?” Charlotte said sarcastically, even as her heart hammered in her chest, seemingly desperate to break out of its cage.So, he thinks I am useful and thus wants to keep up the arrangement. I suppose that is something.
