“Do you know of Druidstone Abbey?” She winced slightly, for it was a famous residence, renowned for its beautiful, haunting architecture.
His mouth fell open. “Know of it? Heavens, who does not? I believe half of Mrs. Radcliffe’s novels are an homage to the place.”
“That is untrue,” Leah said shyly. “She passed by once, that is all, and I have never seen any likeness in her stories.”
“But youhaveread them?” He grinned. “How interesting.”
Heat rushed into Leah’s cheeks. “I did not say I had read them. My friends have. They can see no likeness either.”
At that moment, she spied Matilda and Anna entering the ballroom, searching frantically. It was Anna who saw Leah first, her expression transforming into one of bemusement as she saw Leah standing there with Nathaniel. But Matilda did not seem to notice the strangeness of the situation as she fluttered her hand wildly as if to say,“Hurry up! It is now or never!”
“My escort has arrived,” Leah said, curtseying to Nathaniel. “Allow me to… think on your suggestion, though, as you said, I think tonight might be enough of a ruse for now.”
Sure enough, Jonathan was marching toward the terrace with Dorothy hurrying after him, a black cloud following them out.Was it the kiss on the hand?Leah had a feeling that had sealed the illusion.
“Let us hope so,” Nathaniel replied, pointing discreetly at his mother, who looked alarmingly purple. Leah was about to turn and join her friends when his voice called her back. “Oh, but if you should change your mind and accept, there is one proviso thatmustbe in our contract.”
Leah frowned. “No improper grabbing of my arms?”
“That too,” he said, smiling, “but the main one must be this: you are not, under any circumstances, to fall in love with me, no matter how charming and irresistible I might seem during our season together.”
She snorted. “In that, we are entirely agreed. Indeed, I have the same condition.”
With that, she hurried off toward her friends though the back of her neck prickled as she walked quickly. He was watching her leave; she was certain of it.
“Who in the name of all that is good and holy was that?” Anna chirped, seizing Leah by the arm while Matilda took the other, the two women escorting their friend toward the manor’s exit.
Leah shook her head, refusing to look back. “Oh, no one important. Just a good Samaritan.”
And the man I might spend the season courting to make Jonathan rue the day he left me humiliated at the altar…Like a ripe berry on a bush, the more she thought about it, the more the prospect grew ever more tempting. But perhaps, it was better if the berry stayed where it was, for though she saw no reason to distrust the handsome, pleasant stranger she had met so recently, she truly could not afford another smear against her name.
CHAPTERSIX
“You mortified that poor girl!” Nathaniel’s mother, Abigail, complained for the hundredth time as the carriage rattled back toward the foggy lights of London where they had taken up residence in their Mayfair townhouse for the upcoming season.
Bergfield Manor was too drafty in the winter, the snows too thick, the weather too temperamental, the heat of the fireplaces never quite warm enough, and in his mother’s advancing years, she had decided to uphold the old tradition of wintering in the Capital.
“She would not have been mortified if you had not conspired to attend the ball with her tonight,” Nathaniel replied. “You were instructed to stay behind, after all. So, not to be unkind, butyoucaused her embarrassment.”
Abigail huffed, folding her arms across her chest, pushing a great cascade of silky ruffles higher up into her chin, giving the rather amusing illusion of a beard. “It was supposed to be a welcome surprise.”
“Ah, but that is the problem with surprises, Mother: they are not always welcome to the one being surprised,” Nathaniel replied. “Besides, when have I ever enjoyed surprises? I like to know precisely what I am about to face at all times.”
Abigail glared out of the carriage window at the dark world rumbling by. “You could have at least been civil, offering her a genteel word or a measly dance. Instead, you ignored her! She must think you have no interest in her whatsoever.”
“She would be correct.”
Abigail sucked in a sharp breath of discontent. “I did not raise you to be cruel, Nathaniel! Nor did I raise you to be discourteous.”
“I cannot be held responsible for your schemes, Mother,” he insisted. “You ambushed me, and now, you are sour because things did not turn out the way you planned. I am sorry, but I will not apologize for not entertaining your selection of bride.”
Abigail’s cheeks had turned a livid shade of red. “Well,youcannot keep avoiding marriage. You do not have a choice in the matter. It is your duty and your responsibility as Duke to marry and ensure that our legacy endures. You are almost thirty years of age, Nathaniel!”
“Apparently, that is the accursed age at which all respectability evaporates,” Nathaniel teased, knowing he should not in case his mother actually did explode. But he could not help himself; she was being quite ridiculous, afflicted with some sort of marriage fever that had seized her mind in its grip.
Abigail’s chin sank further into her nest of ruffles. “You are impossible, Nathaniel. You refuse every choice I make; you pout and complain that you will marry in good time, but that “good time” is running out, my boy.”
“I am aware,” Nathaniel said, bracing himself, “which is why I have found someone that has captured my interest. You will note, of course, that I just saidIhave found someone which is all I ever desired. None of these forced pleasantries that you have been so keen to make me endure.”
