“Trust me, I am here out of my own selfishness.”
Ellen was confused.What did he mean by that?She looked at him, waiting for him to say more.
“I have been around the world, and well, there’s more to life than this. Do you remember, My Lady, when I told you there was more to life than this?” Ellen nodded. She did remember every word. How could she forget?
“Well, I want to show you. I find your situation particularly fascinating, and I wish to help you see what life outside of these restrictions holds.”
Gerard paused, perhaps, waiting for Ellen to respond. When she did not, he continued, “I want to help you this Season. By the end of the Season, no gentleman of noble birth in Society will be able to resist you. You would have your pick of eligible bachelors in all of London and will soon be settled.”
“Why would you help me achieve this? You owe me nothing at all. I do not see how you could possibly benefit from this.”
“I get to spend time with the most sought-after Diamond in London,” Gerard teased.
“Pray do not make jest and tell me!”
“Fine then. It’s simple. If it seems that I am courting a lady, it will put my grandmother’s heart at ease at least for the Season.”
“Courting?” Ellen asked in mild surprise.
“Why, yes. A respectable lady like yourself would never be permitted to spend time with a rake without my declaring a noble intention now, would not you agree?”
“What you are proposing is a fake engagement, My Lord,” Ellen gasped.
“Yes, and I would take the fall when we decide to part ways. Your reputation will remain untainted.”
“And what about yours?” Ellen asked.
“I am a man. A scandal will quite easily pass over me. And to be frank, I do not care much to get married.”
“But what if the news of our engagement discourages other gentlemen from announcing their intentions?”
“I assure you, it won’t. The more you’re seen with me, the more desirable you become. The gentlemen will flock to your side, especially with your brother out of the way.”
Ellen was torn. She would hate for her reputation to be tarnished by such an arrangement. But she had to admit that the proposal made her giddy with excitement.What pleasure it would give her to fool the ton?
Sensing her distress, Gerard tried to reassure her. “I give you my word that you will be with a husband by the time my lessons are over.”
“All right. I am at least willing to try,” Ellen said.
“I assure you, that you will not regret this. There’s a lot to see and know about the world.”
Ellen laughed. “You sound just like my cousin Marjorie.”
“Sounds like a lady with a good head on her shoulders. Living with a list of dos and don’ts isn’t living, and neither is having to conform to what Society wants and demands of you. Have you never thought about breaking free? Do you not want to feel alive, have the wind in your hair, knowing that you can be and do anything you set your mind to?”
“I will admit, My Lord, that all you’re saying does sound desirable, but we both know it is not that easy. Not for women. My brother, for example, Andrew, has everything at his beck and call. He does anything he wants to without fear, but that is never the case for me. My mother says he can get away with things because he is a Duke.”
“I know this.”
“And I do not want to get shunned by thetonor bring shame to my family.”
“That too, is perfectly understandable. But rules are meant to be broken.”
“Like my list of don’ts?”
“Exactly like that.”
“And what about you; what rules have you broken?” Ellen asked.
