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“Then,” he interrupted by speaking over her, “if it was, in fact, true that Miss Loery planned to bring her footman to Braxton Manor, don’t you think I would’ve known? A new servant isn’t likely just to show up out of nowhere and escape my attention.”
“I don’t know when he’s meant to arrive,” Leticia replied quickly. “He could be there already…hiding out in the stables or—”
Richard tipped his head to the side and gave her a reproving look. She stopped talking, but he knew she was only going to give him this one moment of reprieve, so he continued with his own thoughts. “And what about this so-called plan you say you overheard? She and her lover are just going to tire of me? They’re going to run away with all my money? How do they propose to get their hands on my wealth? And what will become of me? Will they leave me unharmed, or do they have some sinister plan to do away with me, too?” He opened his eyes wide so as to let her know he was thoroughly mocking her now.
He knew he’d pushed just a little too hard with that last taunt as Leticia gave up on the wringing of her hands. Now, her fists were clenched, and she squared her shoulders as if she were preparing to tell him off properly.
“Leticia,” he said, taking a step toward her and whispering her name, “don’t you think it’s possible you made this whole story up as some sort of prank? You created this rouse because you truly are in love with me, and you can’t bear the thought of seeing me married to anyone else?”
She gasped, and her lips pursed together so tightly that they nearly disappeared. “How dare you, Richard Olsen! You may be the Duke of Braxton, but I remember when you wailed like a baby because you sat on a slug in the garden.”
A sharp laugh escaped him then. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“I’m only trying to illustrate how well we know one another, Richard,” Leticia said as she exhaled deeply. He watched the way her nostrils flared. “You are a part of my very first memories, and it cuts me to the core to think that you would even suggest I had anything other than your best interests at heart just now.”
“We do share a long history,” Richard admitted, looking away from Leticia and glancing about the small room that was spartanly furnished. “And if someone asked me to describe you in three words, I certainly would never call you a liar or even pretend that you were the type to cause trouble.”
Leticia squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. “Thank you, Richard. I would never say those sorts of things about you, either. While I might call you pig-headed, arrogant, and abominably strict, I would never insinuate that you were the type to subvert the truth.” A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips then, and Richard felt himself respond in the same way.
“Now that we understand each other, what am I to do about this situation?” Richard asked, holding up his empty palms toward his friend. “If I am to believe what you have just told me, wholeheartedly, that also means I cannot trust my bride. So, where does that leave me?”
Leticia shrugged nonchalantly. “I suppose you’ll just have to find another bride of convenience.” She snapped her fingers. “I don’t know what woman wouldn’t want to marry you after seeing the way you ran out on this ceremony.” She paused and moved as if to look out the window. “Why, look at that…there’s already a queue of ladies lined up around the block…just begging to be the next bride you jilt at the altar.”
Richard snorted and joined her at the window. “No, there’s not, and there won’t be, either.” He sighed dismally. “Really, what am I to do about all this, Leticia?”
She twirled away from the window then, putting some space between them. “You’ll just have to get right back out there. While potential brides won’t show up at your Estate later today, you can bet they’ll be prepared to pounce on you in a few weeks when the Season resumes.”
“And what makes you think I will even entertain the advances of these ladies?” Richard inquired as he pushed away from the window and followed Leticia’s movements about the room.
“You’re reliable old Richard,” Leticia replied. “When you call off this wedding, as you should, you’ll return to the way of life that makes the most sense to you. That means you will find some other lady and make her your bride.”
“Reliable old Richard…” he grumbled, “who calls me that?”
“Everyone.”
He glowered at her. She was now perched up against the edge of the desk, giving him a knowing smile. “Am I really that predictable?”
“Absolutely,” Leticia rejoined. “If you give me a minute, I can probably even guess exactly what you will say as soon as you exit this room.” She paused and stood up to her full height. Then, lifting her head high, she cleared her throat and deepened her voice as she prepared to do an impression of him. “Pray, I ask you all to forgive me for this terrible—”
But before she could finish her impromptu speech, Richard rushed across the room and pressed his lips against her own. He’d meant not only to take her by surprise, but he’d also been looking to quiet her for just a moment.
With their lips smashed together, Leticia muttered, “What are you doing?”
Still keeping his lips on top of hers, he replied, “I’m trying to kiss you.”
“Why would you go and do a thing like that?”
“Leticia,” he said, his upper lip squashing against her top one, “do stop talking, please. I’m trying to kiss you just now, and I’m afraid you’re ruining it.”
“Oh,” Leticia responded with a gentle huff. She stepped away from him so that their lips were no longer pressed together, and yet, they were still standing close to one another. “I had no idea you wanted to woo me.”
Richard groaned. “I wasn’t trying to woo you. I just wanted to do something spontaneous.”
“I see,” Leticia said, her eyes alighting with mirth. “Well, go on then. Kiss me again.”
“No,” Richard pouted. “I don’t want to anymore.”
“Come on,” Leticia teased. “I promise I’ll hold still this time and look…” She made a motion as if she were buttoning up her lips, “I won’t even say a word,” she squeaked out through a crack near the corner of her mouth.
