Page 50 of How to Start a Scandal

Her hands went once more to her own hair. She’d just removed her bonnet. Surely it was a mess. Surely she was a mess. After a stroll through Hyde Park to help work out some of Felicity’s pent-up energy, Violet was entirely mussed and not properly prepared for company.

Or a proposal, for that matter.

She pressed her hand to her chest as if she could catch and still the anxious flutter of her heartbeat.

‘I’ve enjoyed spending time with you in the garden,’ Seth said.

Something cold and unyielding gripped her. Please, no.

‘It’s been quite pleasant,’ she admitted. And indeed it had been. Why could it not remain as it was? Secret and hidden.

‘I’d like to spend more time with you,’ he said. ‘Away from the garden, where we do not have to worry about prying eyes and whispers.’

‘There will always be prying eyes and whispers.’ She gave a weak smile.

‘I have the utmost care for your reputation, Lady Violet, and will not see you besmirched.’

Besmirched.

It was such an ugly word. It sounded as if it had a big charcoal line crossed through it.

‘I see,’ she said softly.

He reached for her and, even as she hated the idea of marriage, of being forced to expose her secret, she craved his touch. It was for that reason she did not move away.

His hand curled around hers and he closed the distance between them, bringing the familiar smell of him that had followed her into her dreams the night before. That icy grip of fear loosened, softening with her affection for him.

His dark, fathomless gaze searched hers. ‘Lady Violet, it would be a great honour if you would allow me to court you.’

She swallowed.

She wanted to say yes. She wanted to say no. Instead, silence pressed heavily between them as her pulse ticked with a frenzied beat at her temples.

‘Your father said you had no mind for marriage.’ Seth’s warm timbre lightened the silence. ‘I gather he is not aware of your visits with Lottie.’

Oh, bother.

Violet cringed. ‘I...didn’t tell him.’

‘I presume your mother is not aware either.’ He shook his head. ‘I believe I may have got the wrong impression. Or perhaps I am unfavourable to you. I assumed you were interested in marriage since you were engaging in those lessons...’

Those lessons.

Violet’s face burned.

‘It isn’t you,’ Violet said quickly. ‘It’s...’

‘You?’ Seth suggested.

‘Yes,’ Violet said miserably. ‘I...’ She went through her mind, upending every idea she could imagine in search of a proper explanation. ‘I am afraid of marriage. It’s why I’ve been seeing Lottie, to help me get over my fear.’

There. And what was best, it wasn’t even a lie.

‘I see.’ Seth’s worried gaze did not appear any more relieved. ‘If that is indeed the case, would you perhaps consider allowing me to court you? I don’t need an answer immediately.’

Violet pressed her lips together. The simple action reminded her of how her mouth had tingled after their kiss, how her entire body had glowed from his attention, alight with desire and pleasure.

Dangerous. Dangerous. Dangerous.