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“Leave quickly, if you can,” he pleaded with her. “Enough damage has been done tonight, and if you stay for too long, people will talk of you all the more. Leave quickly for your own sake.”
“I will.” She nodded. Her foot took the next step when he spoke again, bringing her to a halt.
“I will call on you and your father tomorrow.” His words tightened her chest, and her stomach knotted. Slowly, she turned back to face him, her lips parted wide.
“You do not have to do that,” she pleaded. “Forget tonight, Your Grace. This does not have to be spoken of by you again.”
“You think I will stand back and watch you be talked of in scandal sheets?” he asked, his brow furrowing.
“Yes, and you must!” She took the next step down. “I ask nothing of you, Your Grace. Nothing, and I expect even less. You do not have to visit me tomorrow; you have no need to talk to my father.”
She knew what he was insinuating. There was one way he could attempt to save her reputation. That was by offering to marry her, but she couldn’t have that. She’d rather be a fallen woman, declared a spinster and unmarriageable forevermore, than marry a man such as he.
He's a rogue and owns a gambling hall. He’d spend every night with his ladies, and when he came home, he’d probably bring trouble from the gambling hall. That is not the future I want.
“Whether I come or not is my decision,” the Duke said slowly. A voice was heard along the corridor, suggesting someone else was upstairs. He looked around, paling a little, probably scared of being caught with her again. “Now go, and do as I ask, I pray you. Leave quickly before the whispers can become much worse.”
She nodded though she said no more. As she hurried down the stairs, she considered what he’d said.
Please, do not come tomorrow, you fool. You do not have to offer to marry me because of my mistake.
CHAPTER3
“Ineed to speak to you,” James said in his brother’s ear as he found him in the ballroom.
“You think I haven’t already heard of what you have to tell me?” Neil’s face hardened as he turned around. The affable countenance had drained in an instant and had been replaced with severe features. “Follow me.” He jerked his head, urging James to trail behind him.
They walked through the ballroom, heading to a door at the far end. James grew aware of Michael hurrying to keep pace with him, trying to catch up. Everyone in the room was whispering, and gazes kept lingering in James’ direction. Ladies with feathers in their hair tittered, those feathers fluttering like they truly had birds nesting in their hair. The gentlemen turned their backs on James, a not-so-subtle sign of their disapproval.
As they reached the door at the far end, Neil beckoned James through. Before the door could be closed, James took Michael’s arm and dragged him through too.
“You really want another here for this conversation?” Neil asked as he closed the door. They were in a small sitting room, one that had but two candles lit inside, clearly as a reprieve from the main ball.
“I have no secrets from Michael.” James gestured for his friend to stay. At this moment, he needed a friendly face to look at. “Besides, judging by his expression, he has heard too.”
The grey eyes offered an apologetic look.
“I may have,” Michael replied, and he walked to the nearest chair, sitting calmly. “I think this is the point where you explain the gossip, James.”
“Very well.” James turned to his brother. Neil was now a hardened man, reminding James that there were at least a few similarities between him and Neil, no matter how much his brother tried to deny the connection. “Lady Marina Hodge was in your chamber, Neil.”
His brows furrowed instantly.
“Why?”
“I wonder…” James stepped away, trying to find a calm demeanor. He had been teetering on the edge of losing his temper ever since he had seen Lady Marina in that chamber, but he was distracted now, too. The conversation he’d shared with her had startled him.
She was no meek and mild wallflower who would drop her head demurely. She had intrigued him, certainly, and there was a mystery there too, for she had refused to say why she sought to destroy her reputation.
“Perhaps she hoped to ensnare you in marriage.” James motioned to his brother. The mere idea made him resent Lady Marina in an instant. He tried to forget about those big green eyes that had stared up at him and those full lips. They were a distraction, that was all.
“Well, that failed, thank God!” Neil said, turning in a circle. “Though I wonder why on earth I should be thankful at all. James, you have managed to cause yet another scandal, and what is worse, you have done it here in my house.”
“Me? Neil, what do you not understand about the fact it was not my doing? I simply went into your chamber for some peace; I hardly expected to find her there.”
“Somehow, I doubt you.” Neil folded his arms in front of his chest. “Your ways are known. Ladies at balls such as this not only whisper about you, but your name is dragged through the mud of scandal sheets frequently. For all I know, you planned your assignation with Lady Marina here.”
“I do not know the lady!” James’ temper snapped at last. His voice boomed with the words. Just like any other person had ever known, Neil cowered at that voice. He put distance between them, even going so far as to move around a chair, putting an obstacle in the way. James looked at Michael pleadingly, but even he fidgeted uncomfortably. “It was not of my doing,” James repeated, calmly now.
