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Chapter21
One week had passed since Ashford’s world changed.One week ago, he’d reconciled with his brother and begun the process of bringing him back into the familial fold.
It had also been seven long days and nights since he’d told Mary that he planned to court her in earnest.After the intimate activities they’d shared in the gazebo, he couldn’t trust himself to be alone with her.He was trying to court her properly, but he suspected he was making a hash of things.Because with every passing day, he could feel Mary pulling away from him.
He missed her.Seeing her for a few hours each evening wasn’t enough.He’d intended to wait until the end of the season before asking for her hand, but his patience was already fraying at the edges.There had been two balls, one rout, and one night at the theater.The other evenings he’d gone to Lowenbrock’s house for dinner and a quiet evening.But during those three evenings, he’d wanted nothing more than to take Mary to that private gazebo again and finish what they’d started.His self-control was almost nonexistent at this point.
Before he asked for Mary’s hand, he wanted to speak to Lowenbrock.Mary was of age, so he didn’t need her family’s permission to propose, but she was under the marquess’s protection.They might be friends, but he knew Lowenbrock was very protective of the women in his life.He’d earned the nickname of Sir Galahad during the years they’d served together because he’d always been the first man to come to a woman’s rescue.That propensity toward overprotectiveness now extended to Mary.
His decision made, he drove his phaeton to White’s that afternoon.In the morning room, he found Cranston and Lowenbrock were already there.He crossed the room to the fireplace on the far wall, greeting others along the way, before dropping into one of the seats next to his friends.
Cranston waved to one of the footmen and asked him to bring another cup of coffee for Ashford.
“I’m glad the two of you are already here,” Ashford said.
Cranston raised a brow.“I’m sure John will be rushing home to his new wife soon.”
“Amelia is busy today,” Lowenbrock said with a shrug.“She told me not to hurry home.”
The footman brought him a cup of the strong coffee Ashford had developed a taste for while serving on the continent.
“So tell us about Miss Trenton,” Cranston said.
It was a miracle the man hadn’t teased him about Mary before now.Had he sensed that Ashford’s feelings for her had changed?For a man who was determined never to trust a woman with his heart, he was adept at detecting the softening emotions of others.
“What’s there to tell?You already know I’m courting her, and I was under the impression that you liked her.”
“She’s attractive, yes, and not given to frivolities.But shackling yourself to one woman?”He shuddered.“I thought you had better sense than that.”
Lowenbrock let out a snort.“Don’t you get tired of flitting around from woman to woman?”
Cranston’s shrugged.“There’s nothing wrong with having a little fun.”
“I’m having a great deal of fun with my wife.”
Lowenbrock’s grin caused a slight tinge of jealousy to go through Ashford.That was a first.He’d never envied his friend’s happy marriage, but now, with Mary, he very much wanted that for himself.
“Yes, well, not all of us are ready to settle down.”Cranston turned to him again.“Which brings me back to my question.What are your intentions toward Miss Trenton?Are you actually going to marry her?”
It was time to come clean with his friends.Tell them everything and hope they wouldn’t judge him too harshly.Well, Cranston wouldn’t, but Lowenbrock might, especially if he thought Ashford was toying with Mary’s emotions.
It occurred to him then that the man might already know.Mary might have confided in Lady Lowenbrock about their pretend courtship.
“Mary and I came to an agreement at the beginning of the season.”
Lowenbrock’s jaw tightened, telling Ashford that his assumption had been correct.He knew.Furthermore, his friend didn’t approve.
Cranston let out a low whistle.“So you’re serious.Lady Fairbanks is going to be most displeased.”
The statement caught Ashford off guard.He hadn’t spoken about Mary’s sister to anyone.“What do you mean?”
Cranston shrugged.“She’s been telling everyone that you’re a blackguard and have been trifling with her sister.”
A haze of anger swept over him.
Lowenbrock let out a huff of annoyance.“It’s all pretend.Ashford and Miss Trenton are pretending to be courting to keep his mother from forcing him into an unwanted match.”He turned to meet Ashford’s frown.“Don’t glare at me like that.You should have known Miss Trenton wouldn’t be able to keep it a secret from her closest friend forever.She only confided in Amelia recently.”
The expression on Cranston’s face was almost comical.Then he slapped his knee and let out a relieved laugh.“Well, thank heavens for that.”
