“What a delightful cousin you have,” he remarked, looking around the drawing room.
“She’s extremely put out about our engagement.”
“Many ladies are.”
“You may be a Duke, but that does not make you irresistible,” she snapped under her breath.
“You certainly did not think so yesterday.”
“Oh, you’re deplorable.”
“Come now,” he said though the amusement hadn’t left his expression. “This is hardly how engaged couples behave. Usually, they don’t openly hate one another.”
“Usually, they choose to enter into the engagement.”
“We chose to continue it which is almost the same thing.” He spread his hands flat across his knees, and Charlotte tried not to notice how tight-fitting his pantaloons were, or how they displayed his legs to singular advantage. “I’ve been giving our arrangement some thought, and it occurs to me we should be seen in public on occasion. Together.”
“Was the ball not enough?”
He sent her a quick glance. “I appreciate you don’t enjoy my company, Lady Charlotte, but you might do me the honor of pretending.”
“I am not well versed in the art of deception,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Unluckily for me, if my dignity is to survive this.” He leaned closer, and Charlotte laced her fingers together, resisting the urge to lean away, trying not to think about the way his lips had felt against hers. “I’m certain that given the right provocation, you might be persuaded to accept my advances with a little more grace.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“I would never do something so coarse.”
“I don’t believe you,” she said and was rewarded with a low chuckle.
“Sensible,” he said. “But consider this motivation rather than a threat. I have no doubt you can be charming—if the unfortunate affection of your cousin means anything—and I would deeply appreciate it if that charm could be turned in my direction.”
He was right; of course, he was right. Now they were engaged, and the world was looking at them; shehadto pretend as though she cared about him, at least as far as his title and money went. And oh, if it could prevent Sebastian from dancing with her and professing his feelings in such a clumsy, awkward way, she would suffer anything.
“Very well,” she said. “Whenever we are in public, I shall do my best to becharming.”
Once again, he took her hand and raised it to his lips, his gaze never leaving hers. She felt the pressure of his lips even before they reached her hand, and her fingers twitched in his. “I have no doubt you will do it admirably,” he said. “Now, I must leave shortly, but I intend to call tomorrow. You may be sure I shall attend the ball you throw on our account.”
“Don’t,” she said quietly, shame coloring her voice and her cheeks. “Mama wishes to throw a ball, but I cannot, we cannot afford one. Sebastian will make her see. And considering we arenotto marry at the end of this,Iwon’t permit it, either.”
He looked at her for a moment. “I would not wish for you to do anything to inconvenience your family. “Thetonknew they had little enough money, but her heart still sunk into her shoes at the tone in his voice. If she could have sunk through the floor, she would have done with a second’s thought.
“I must leave you,” he said, and she almost fooled herself into thinking there was an amount of reluctance in his voice, “but I would like to call tomorrow.”
“Why not meet us in the park?” she suggested. “I sometimes go for a walk with my mama in the afternoons, and it would be a perfect opportunity for us to meet publicly.”
“An excellent idea. Until tomorrow, Charlotte.” She had at no point given him permission to call her Charlotte, but she hadn’t gathered her confusion before he’d risen, announced that he was leaving, and bid her mother farewell. Even the fact he hadn’t shown Marcella any favor wasn’t enough to bring a smile to her lips.
For the first time, she understood what it meant to bring a Duke into her intimate family life. He would see, as no one else would, the way they lived, the things they could and couldn’t afford. He had already seen Marcella’s pettiness and Sebastian’s jealousy. Soon, he would know about the debts that hung over their heads, the shocking condition her late father had left the estate in, and he would despise her even more than he did now.
Not that she cared, of course. The Duke’s opinion meant nothing to her as long as he didn’t share it with others. Still, it took a long time for her nerves to settle and even longer for her to feel as though she wasn’t making a catastrophic mistake.
* * *
Aaron had only just returned to Hexham Manor when his butler announced the arrival of the Earl of Lowood. Aaron looked at his glass of port and considered whether to admit the man. No doubt he was here to warn Aaron away from Charlotte, but frankly, Aaron had no intention of changing his plans for anyone—not the least a newly minted Earl who had a liking for his cousin.
“Send him in,” Aaron commanded, swirling the burgundy liquid idly. “I suppose it’s time he’s reminded who I am.”
