Page 81 of Courting the Wrong Duke

Their ruse was already working.

Beside him, Rosalind walked with a composure that would have convinced anyone she had spent years accepting the attentions of devoted gentlemen. Only the lingering color in her cheeks betrayed the awkward collision they had shared inside the tea shop moments before.

William smiled to himself.

It had been such a ridiculous moment. They had both remembered their roles as courting couple and forgotten the far more practical matter of watching where they were going.

Yet when she had looked up at him from only inches away, her green eyes wide with surprise and amusement, he had found himself forgetting, however briefly, that none of this was real.

For one thoroughly impractical moment, he had wanted to tell her she looked beautiful when she laughed.

Fortunately, he had possessed enough sense to remain silent.

Their courtship was pretend. He repeated the reminder to himself with considerably more determination than seemed necessary before turning his thoughts back toward the investigation.

“I've been thinking about the auction house,” he said.

Rosalind looked up at him immediately, the warmth of the previous few minutes giving way to concern. “So have I.”

“The clerk's disappearance troubles me.” He frowned, watching a carriage roll past before continuing. “I intend to make further inquiries myself, though I confess I'd also like to hear Algernon's thoughts once he returns from Aldermere. He has an unfortunate habit of noticing details the rest of us overlook.”

“I think that would be wise.”

They continued walking for another few moments in thoughtful silence before another idea occurred to him. “There is something else I'd like to ask.”

She glanced toward him.

“Tonight, there is a rather exclusive ball held each summer. Attendance is by invitation only.”

A smile tugged at her lips. “London never seems to tire of inventing reasons to dance.”

“It does not.”

“And I presume this invitation concerns our arrangement?”

“It does.” He smiled back. “If we are to convince society our courtship is genuine, we cannot limit ourselves to promenades and afternoon tea. We ought to be seen together where people expect courting couples to appear.”

She considered that for only a moment before nodding. “You are right.”

Her agreement came so readily that he found himself absurdly pleased.

“Besides,” he continued, “your attendance would accomplish something rather important.”

“Which is?”

“Half the debutantes in London will be there. If they see you upon my arm instead of whispering behind fans, your scandal becomes far less interesting than our courtship.”

She laughed softly. “An entire ballroom devoted to gossiping about us.”

“Precisely.”

“Very well.” She smiled. “I will come. I shall simply have to persuade someone to chaperone me on rather short notice.”

“I suspect finding a chaperone will prove easier than obtaining an invitation.”

“One can hope.”

By then they had reached her waiting carriage.