Page 2 of The Right to Remain Single

He drew himself up like a starchy old grandparent. He was a handsome man, usually cheerful and fun-loving, and this scowl didn’t suit him. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Not at all,” she said. “I’ve thought it through, and it makes perfect sense. No one will be surprised, as all the women in my family are known for bad behavior.”

“The men in my family are not,” he retorted.

“True, but no one need ever know it was you who ruined me,” she said. “The thing is, I like you and find you very—very attractive, so if I must be ruined, I would far rather it be by you than anyone else.”

He ran a hand across his face. “That’s most kind of you, Miss Warren, but—”

She put up a hand to forestall him. “Do please hear me out. You needn’t fear discovery. I shan’t tell anyone for ages, so no one will suspect it was you. Then I shall set it about that I succumbed to a rake.”

His expression grew even more appalled. “For God’s sake, why?”

“Why a rake? Because everyone will believe it. That’s what scandalous women do.”

“No,” he retorted, “not why a rake. Why do you want to be ruined?”

“To render myself unmarriageable,” she said.

Briefly, astonishment replaced the annoyance. “You don’t wish to marry?”

She suppressed a huff. Typical man, he couldn’t imagine a woman who didn’t long to be someone’s—anyone’s—wife. “Heavens, no, but as long as I remain a virgin, my father will keep trying to find me a husband. If you knew the sort of gentlemen he chooses…”

“Yes, I saw him pushing you at a few bores at this party, and did my best to spare you their tedious company.” He shook his head. “I sympathize with you, Miss Warren, but never fear. Eventually the right man for you will come along.” He grimaced. “I mean the right man for you to wed.”

She huffed. “You’re as idiotic as the rest. Didn’t you hear what I said? I don’t wish to marry. Ever.”

He cast his eyes heavenward. He ran his fingers through his wavy, dark hair. He sighed. “If that is truly the case,” he said in the sort of voice one would use with a child, “then you should not attempt to seduce a respectable man.”

“Whom else might I seduce? The alternative is a rake, and I don’t find rakes the least bit appealing.”

“I’m happy to hear that,” he said. “But the fact remains, Miss Warren, that if I were to ruin you, I would then be obliged to marry you.”

“Why? If nobody knew about it, why should you?”

“I would know,” he said. “As an honorable man, I would have no choice. Since, like you, I have no interest in marriage, I am sure you understand.”

“Not at all. I would refuse to marry you, so then it wouldn’t be your fault, but mine, and all would be well.” She came closer, her breasts swaying under her nightdress, and gazed up at him. “Please?”

He made a strangled noise in his throat. Oh, dear God. She’d misjudged badly. Evidently he wasn’t tempted at all—merely enraged.

“Out. Now.” Using only the tips of his fingers, as if she smelled like bad fish, he propelled her toward the door. “I’ll keep an eye on you all the way to your room.”

“That’s not necessary,” she said.

“It is,” he said through clenched teeth. “There are a number of inebriated gentlemen in the house, and although you might be willing to use one of them for your utterly foolhardy purpose, it would be a stain upon the honor of Statham Court if I were to allow one of them to do so.”

How dare he suggest that she would do such a thing! It had been with great difficulty—considerable courage, actually—that she had brought herself to ask him.

He pushed gently at the small of her back. She jumped at the heat of his hand. Judging by the expression on his face, he would shove her bodily into the corridor if she didn’t comply.

She shook off his hand and stormed out the door.

Chapter Two

A little more than four years later

Wanted: Exorcist to rid medieval manor house of murderous ghost. Excellent spoken Latin a necessity. Ample compensation for the risk to life and limb. Apply in writing to Hearth House, nr. Carlisle.