“How fascinating! I bet you have interesting stories to tell. And you are engaged to Aycliffe?” Hannah’s curious gaze skipped between the two of them. “You must visit me so we can catch up.”
“I would love to, Hannah, but I must warn you, my reputation is scandalous.”
To his immense relief, Hannah laughed, undeterred. “Don’t worry about that, dear.” Then she leaned forward as if to impart a secret. “So is mine.”
Thank goodness the duchess—he had trouble thinking of her as anything other than that, even though he knew she was now married to his friend Lord Brentworth—took the news with such aplomb. He had expected nothing else from her, but her easy manner made his esteem grow even more.
“I would love to visit, then,” Josie replied.
“Lady Brentworth, did you know that Josephine’s nephew is more or less the same age as your child? Maybe the children would like to have a visit of their own.”
“That is a capital idea! Sammy would be ecstatic to meet a new friend. Will you come for tea tomorrow? I’ll also invite Lady Hartfield and her little one and we can have a ladies’ and children's party.” Hannah finished with a bright smile.
“Men are not allowed?” he asked, placing a hand to his chest with mock hurt.
“If you insist.” Hannah sighed with mock forbearance. “I guess you, Gabriel, and Hartfield can retire to the billiards room and entertain yourselves.”
“Hartfield? No thank you. Abigail’s husband detests me.”
“I’m sure that’s not true. Lord Hartfield is a good friend of my husband’s and he’s always a perfectly congenial gentleman.”
“Hmm, maybe with you. He took an instant antipathy to me on account of my friendship with Abigail. Mighty possessive of his wife, he is.”
“Well, maybe now that you have a fiancée, he will perceive you as less of a threat.” Hannah suggested slyly.
“I’ve never been a threat to him. Abigail and I have known each other since we were children.”
“Please, say you will come. Someone needs to escort Josephine, and I know Gabriel will be glad to see you.”
“I’ll brave Hartfield’s displeasure for your sake,” he said, only half joking.
Hannah and Josephine hugged in farewell, and they took their leave. The results of today’s outing could not have been better if he had planned them. Hannah and Abigail were two of the ladies he wanted to introduce Josephine to.
“I didn’t know you were friends with Lady Brentworth,” he said as he handed a decidedly happier Josephine on to his curricle.
“We debuted together and formed a fast friendship during our first season. I didn’t think she would remember me. She married a much older duke that very first season, and we didn’t see each other much after that. And then…well, you know what happened.”
Yes, he did. “She is one of the ladies I wanted to introduce you to. Her and Abigail. They have children around the same age as Edward, and both are kind ladies who have known scandal and misfortune themselves. They could be great friends and allies.”
“I hope so. I genuinely like Hannah. But, Michael?”
“Yes, dear?” The endearment fell from his lips naturally.
“You told Hannah we are engaged. I wouldn’t want to start a new friendship with a lie.”
He pulled the curricle to a stop to look at her with undivided attention. “It is not a lie. When I proposed an engagement, I meant it to the full extent of the word. Unless and until you break it, I consider myself pledged to you.”
She shook her head vehemently. “No. It’s impossible. You don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Don’t I? Josephine, I knew I wanted to marry you twelve years ago. During all the time since, despite thinking you had deserted me, I could never forget you. I may not know a lot of things, but trust me when I say I know I want to marry you. It’s the one thing I’m sure of.”
CHAPTER 23
JosephinewasstilldigestingMichael’s impassioned words when they arrived at her home. They had resonated in the deepest recesses of her soul, finding an echo in her own feelings. Unleashing a riot inside her that now had her heart and mind engaged in a bloody battle of wills. Because while her heart sang and soared at his declaration, her mind cruelly reminded her of all the reasons it was impossible.
He was breaking down her defenses. She had never had many where he was concerned, and time had not changed that. But she needed to be strong. Not to give in to her own desires. For his sake. She couldn’t explain her reasons yet. Didn’t know what to say to him. But when the time came, she would have to let him go, and she didn’t know where to find the strength to do that.
For that reason, she did not invite him in. She needed to put space between them. He had seemed impatient but willing to grant her this reprieve. For now. He had said his goodbyes at the door, and she had barely caught her breath when the butlerapproached her to say she had a visitor waiting for her in the drawing room.
