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She said huskily, ‘But you can’t—I didn’t mean it.’
He gave her a meditative look. ‘So what are you planning to do about it? Jilt me, as you seem to have jilted Nigel?’ He shook his head. ‘No way, my child. Whether you intended it or not, you’ve plunged me into the middle of a cause célebre. It isn’t a situation I appreciate, believe me.’
She said wretchedly, ‘I know—and I’m so sorry.’
‘It’s a little late for regrets.’ He spoke gently enough, but there was an implacable note in his voice. ‘I abominate having my private life made public property, so this engagement stands as mutual camouflage until the necessity for it is past.’
Relief flooded over her in a great wave. ‘Oh, you mean we should just pretend?’
‘Well, I was hardly suggesting a headlong dash to the altar,’ he said with faint hauteur. He gave her a level look. ‘How has your mother reacted to all this?’
She groaned. ‘Don’t ask. She’s in a terrible state. She idolised Nigel, of course, and insists on regarding all this as some kind of little local difficulty.’
‘I presume you haven’t told her the truth?’
‘I couldn’t,’ she said bluntly.
He said rather wryly, ‘I can appreciate that. So, how are you going to explain our engagement to her? Tell her I talked you into it against your better judgement—or that I swept you helplessly off your feet?’
‘The first option, I presume,’ she said. ‘I don’t think I could even convince myself of the second…’ She stopped with a little gasp, realising what she’d said. ‘I—I didn’t mean…’
‘It really doesn’t matter,’ he said pleasantly. ‘Now, I think I hear Mrs Priddy bringing our coffee.’
“I ought to be getting back, actually.‘ Amanda was still hideously embarrassed by her gaffe. She didn’t feel equal to a continued tête-à-tête over the coffee-cups.
‘It’s quite safe to accept my hospitality, Amanda.’ His voice was dry. ‘Nothing more will be forced on you—except, perhaps, Mrs Priddy’s home-made shortbread. And Harvey’s attentions, of course.’
‘Harvey?’ Amanda felt totally out of her depth.
‘My dog. He got very wet when I took him out earlier, and he’s been drying off in the kitchen.’
Malory smiled faintly. ‘But he regards that as a kind of banishment, so no doubt he’ll be hot on Mrs Priddy’s heels.’
As the drawing-room doors opened to admit the housekeeper with her tray, a handsome Springer spaniel slid into the room in her wake, his tail a blur of quivering goodwill, his attitude tentative, as if unsure of his welcome. Malory snapped his fingers, and the dog went straight to him, sitting down obediently at his feet.
‘He’s been scratching at the door and whining these past ten minutes,’ Mrs Priddy said dourly, as she put the tray down. ‘I never did see a nosier dog’
Malory laughed. ‘He just likes to know what’s going on, that’s all.’ He pulled gently at the dog’s ears and Harvey moaned ecstatically. ‘Go and meet Amanda, Harv, and remember your manners.’
Amanda held out her hand and Harvey sniffed it with a certain amount of reserve before submitting to having the top of his head stroked.
‘He’s a darling,’ she said.
‘I’m glad you approve—and that he seems to like you. That’s quite an important hurdle,‘ Malory said, before adding casually to Mrs Priddy, ’Miss Conroy and I are going to be married.‘ He smiled at Amanda. ’Pour me some coffee, darling. I like very little cream, and no sugar.‘
Amanda was horribly aware her jaw had dropped open, and closed it hastily.
Mrs Priddy said sedately, ‘Well, the news isn’t totally unexpected, sir, as you must know. George and I wish you every happiness, I’m sure.’ She looked at Amanda. ‘If you’d like to see over the house, miss, I’d be glad to show you.“
Amanda spilled some coffee into the saucer. ‘Perhaps some other time,’ she managed, and Mrs Priddy withdrew, clearly disappointed.
Amanda said heatedly, ‘I wish you’d warned me you were going to say that. And was it strictly necessary?’
‘Absolutely,’ he said. This may be pretence, Amanda, but it has to be convincing. And it’s something you’re going to have to get used to.‘
‘Never!’ she said fiercely, and Harvey backed away with a low, startled growl.
Malory grinned slightly. ‘You’re going to have to learn to control your temper in front of Harvey,’ he said. ‘He’s far more sensitive than I am. Now, drink your coffee, and tell me what kind of a ring you’d like.’
