“I daresay she is quite fond of you, as well.”
Roswell realized that he was still touching Miss Bentley and dropped his arms to the side, but he remained close. “Perhaps it might be best if we just tell her together,” he suggested.
He could see the uncertainty in her eyes as she asked, “How is this fake engagement supposed to work?”
“Well, to begin with, we must kiss each other, constantly,” he replied flirtatiously. “It is the only way for this to work.”
She laughed, drawing his attention to her lovely mouth. “That can’t possibly be true.”
Leaning closer, he suggested, “It might be best if we practice.”
Miss Bentley placed a hand on his chest, stilling him. “I would prefer not to,” she said, her eyes full of mirth.
“That is a shame,” he teased as he leaned back. “The only way you will get better at something is by lots of practice.”
“I’m afraid that I have never kissed anyone before.”
“There is no shame in that,” he replied. “It just means that you are saving yourself for the right partner.”
She looked at him curiously. “Have you kissed anyone before?”
A smirk came to his lips. “I am smart enough to know not to answer that question.”
“Fair enough,” she said.
Reaching for her hand, he brought it up to his lips. “If we want this engagement to work, we must put on an act for the world to see.”
“I can do that.”
“I am pleased to hear that, but you will need to look at me as though you are a woman in love.” He kissed her knuckles slowly and he was pleased when he heard her slight intake of breath. He hoped that meant she was not immune to his charms.
His mother’s voice came from the doorway. “What is the meaning of this?” she asked.
Roswell released her hand and took a step back. “Miss Bentley…” His voice stopped, and he corrected himself. “Ellie and I are engaged to be married.”
Harriet clasped her hands together. “How wonderful!” she exclaimed.
“But—” Ellie started.
His mother cut her off. “We need to post the banns at once.”
Ellie turned her attention towards him, her eyes pleading.
“Mother,” he started, “there is something that you need to know.”
Harriet glanced between them, her smile intact. “Which is?”
Roswell shifted uncomfortably, then replied, “This is a fake engagement.”
His mother’s brows drew together. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“We are merely pretending to be engaged so Lord Worthington will stop pressuring her to wed,” he explained.
His mother frowned. “That was a cruel thing to do to me.”
“I am sorry,” he responded. “I should have been more forthcoming about it when I first told you.”
“Yes, you should have,” his mother chided. “But I shall forgive you.”
