“Even though it is clear as day that our betrothal is an arranged one,” he pointed out.
“Well, perhaps it would not be so clear if you did not wear that frown all the time.” Lavender reached up and pressed a finger in the center of his forehead. It succeeded in getting him to relax. “See? Already better.”
“I like my frown. It keeps people away.”
“No one will dare approach you with or without it,” she assured. “And while we are at it, why don’t you straighten your back a bit more?”
His frown returned with full force. “Straighten my back? It is straight enough.”
“Not nearly so,” she told him. She put a hand on his back and forced his chest out. Lavender bit her lip to hold in her laughter as she cupped his chin, forcing his head up and slowed her walk so that he was forced to walk slower as well.
It took Austin a few seconds to realize that she was poking fun at him. He relaxed, growling, “You think you are quite funny, don’t you?”
“I am the most hilarious person I know. And if you would simply relax, perhaps you would know that as well.”
“I cannot do so knowing that at any moment you will spring another sordid event on me and force me to attend with you.”
“It won’t be ‘at any moment’,” she corrected. “We have someplace else to attend in the next week.”
“Next few days?” He paused, clearly thinking. “I thought I would have two weeks’ break before we are to attend that ball of yours.”
“That ball of mine is Lady Henley’s masquerade ball and I worked very hard to secure an invitation. But no, I have modified the list of events I gave to you.” Lavender caught his look of horror and couldn’t help but laugh. “I thought it was a little unfair to only attend places I wanted to go to, so I added a few sporting events as well.”
“You did?” He seemed incredulous.
“Not only for your sake, I assure you. A number of people from the ton attend such events so it will aid in my plan all the same. But I thought that perhaps you would be less likely to complain the entire time if you were enjoying yourself a little.” She paused to frown at him. “You are a lover of sports, aren’t you?”
“It depends. What kind are you talking about?”
“The next will be a horse racing event. I added a fencing match as well.”
“Horse racing, you say.” His distrusting expression faded into something quite close to satisfaction. “That does not sound too bad.”
“Wonderful. I hoped you would say as much.”
His scowl returned, though with markedly less force. “I hope you are not waiting for me to thank you.”
Lavender shook her head with a smile. “I know better than to expect such a thing.”
“Good.”
Silence fell between them. Lavender kept that cheeky smile on her face, waiting for Austin to realize that that wasn’t the end of it.
After a few seconds, he narrowed his eyes at her. “What is it? Why are you smiling like that?”
“Have I told you how handsome you looked yesterday, my lord?” she asked in an overly kind voice.
“Out with it. Your addition of the sporting events comes with a clause, doesn’t it?”
“How astute of you. The answer is yes. It is dependent on you attending the tailor alongside me and my brother in a few days.”
“The answer is no.”
“May I remind you of what you’re giving up?” she probed. They came to a stop by a pond. Lavender pulled her arm free of his and turned her back to the quacking ducklings to smile up at him. “Horses. Racing. Shouting. The hot sun.” She paused. “Remind me again why men enjoy such things?”
Laughter shot past his lips before he could stop it. Lavender’s eyes lit up with similar mirth. “You’re a persistent lady, you know,” he said.
“I am well aware. So, do we have a deal?”
