Despite his glib retorts, he certainly didn’t seem as roguish as he had when he’d first swaggered into the bedchamber at the Lyon’s Den, nor did he appear confident of her acquiescence.
“You’re suggesting the pretense of a courtship.”
“I’m asking you to tolerate my presence for the duration of Harbury’s courtship of Cassandra…for Emily’s sake.”
His expression was almost pleading. And she hadn’t even demanded he beg this time.
Her cheeks heated.
How had she tumbled into this situation?
Wednesday night, he’d been lounging in an upper room in the Lyon’s Den—naked—giving shameless lessons in seduction to a woman he had never met and couldn’t see.
Now, without knowing, he was chagrined and pleading with the same woman to join him in a sham courtship to improve his reputation for his sister’s sake.
“I am sorry,” she said sincerely. “I must decline to participate.”
“Why?”
She wet her lips. “I am considering another’s offer of marriage.”
She’d surprised him. Good.
“Please accept my felicitations,” he replied. “Or should I direct them to your betrothed? Or to your godmother?”
Damn her tongue. “I haven’t yet informed Lady Asquith.”
“Ah. A secret engagement?”
“Not engagement. An offer.”
“And you’ve left the poor fellow in suspense? How very shocking, Miss Wainwright.”
“My marital intentions are none of your concern.” She faced the stage before continuing in an acidic voice, “Thank you for pointing out that Harbury has no interest in Cassandra. I don’t know why you’d think I could have any interest in you.”
“Well, then.” He uncrossed his legs and shifted his position. “Pardon my impertinence.”
After such an urgent proposition, she hadn’t expected him to give up so easily. Covertly, she considered his expression. His lips had flattened. Patches of color sat high on his cheeks.
She’d made him furious. Why?
“You’re correct, of course.” He turned his head sharply. “I’ve little to offer but a legacy of disgrace.”
The bitterness in his tone gave her a start. “I—”
She stopped abruptly and then closed her mouth. She’d no need to appease him.
She wasn’t interested in a closer acquaintance, nor a sham courtship.
On the other hand, she hadn’t wanted to hurt him. She’d simply wanted to show him how insulting he’d been. She knew nothing of a legacy of disgrace.
In fact, she knew very little about him at all.
“I believe,” she drew out her words, “you have mistaken my intent.”
“Please,” he replied dismissively. “Don’t insult me by insinuating you are unaware of my family history.”
She thought back, recalling everything she’d learned about him.
