"But," she began, still unsure, "what if it backfires? What if it does more harm than good?"
"I thought I told you to trust me?" he asked, turning to her. He paused for a moment, his eyes flicking over to her chaperone,who stood at a distance, observing them. "I'll make sure the right rumors start to swirl. The key is for us to seem like we're already well acquainted."
Lavinia scanned the park again and shook her head. "I don't think it is a good idea, Your Grace. Wouldn't they think I'm...unavailable?"
"If they see a man like me, someone no one has managed to tie down showing any interest in you, they'll start to wonder what they've been missing. Men of thetonare always chasing after the things they can't have, Lavinia. It's simple. If they believe I'm after you, they'll start coming to you. They'll see you as desirable, even if they didn't before."
Lavinia slowly nodded. The notion made sense. Now that she thought about it, she recalled that she had often heard it whispered among the ladies that it was the pursuit, not the prize, that truly captured a man's attention. And if Andrew was right...if thetonbegan to see her as someone worth pursuing, perhaps she could finally escape the shadow of her failure and find a match that would secure her future.
"So, where are we going?" she asked.
"Back to your home," he answered. "To David's study. The seed has already been planted. Once we get back to the study, we will start the lesson."
A short silence ensued between them as they continued walking, the sound of their footsteps the only noise filling the spacebetween them. Lavinia tried to think of something to say, but the tension of the moment made her throat feel tight.
Finally, Andrew broke the silence with a wry smile. "You know, if we keep walking in silence like this, people might start to realize how awkward this is."
"It is awkward," she answered in a hushed tone. "Everything about this is awkward."
"Come now, Lady Lavinia," Andrew said and cleared his throat. "Tell me something about yourself. Something exciting. I need more information about you if this is going to work."
Lavinia hesitated, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "What would you like to know?" she asked carefully, though a small part of her regretted the question.
Andrew raised an eyebrow. "A simple question deserves a simple answer, doesn't it? You could start with your interests. What do you enjoy doing, when you're not stuck at balls or attending tea parties?"
"I enjoy reading," Lavinia replied, keeping her gaze ahead. "Books, mostly. Stories of adventure and history."
He chuckled lightly. "Books? You do realize that a man would find that dreadfully boring, don't you?"
Lavinia's brow furrowed and shot him a sideways glance. "Not all men," she snapped at him. "There are men that might appreciate a woman that reads."
Andrew's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Perhaps not, but most, I suspect. You know, I could always recommend a book for you. Something scandalous, perhaps, to spark a little excitement. Make you less...you."
Lavinia's breath caught at the thought. “I—I don't think I would find such things appropriate."
"Ah, come now," Andrew teased, giving her a sly smile. "You don't even know if you would like them, do you? How could you judge if you've never tried?"
Lavinia's cheeks flushed, and she glanced at the ground, suddenly finding the conversation a bit too personal. "I assure you, I am quite content with the books I read."
Andrew watched her reaction, the corners of his lips curling upward. "Oh, I'm sure. But tell me, what else? Are you a woman who dreams of grand romances? Or perhaps someone more pragmatic, focused on duty and obligation?"
Lavinia's heart raced at his probing questions, but she kept her composure. "I don't think I want to answer that question, Your Grace."
He studied her for a moment, clearly intrigued. "You're the romantic kind, aren't you? You want love and all the trappings that come with it. The grand gestures, the sweet words, the passion. Am I wrong?"
Lavinia's gaze flickered away, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She hadn't expected him to get so close to the truth. "I—I suppose it's not that simple, Your Grace. I just think...a lady deserves more than just security or convenience. She deserves to feel...something real."
"Oh, those books you read have deceived you," he groaned. "It's not the typical response from someone in your position."
Lavinia stiffened, her spine straightening defensively. "And what does my position have to do with anything?" she asked, her voice sharp but laced with vulnerability.
Andrew's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Everything," he said simply and met her gaze. "You are the daughter of a marquess, Lavinia. Expectations cling to you like your corset. You may not like it, but you cannot escape it."
Her cheeks flushed at his insinuation. "I am perfectly aware of my circumstances, Your Grace," she murmured, her voice quiet but steady. "But that doesn't mean I cannot dream...or hope for something more than—than convenience."
Andrew tilted his head, his piercing gaze fixed on her. "Dreams are dangerous, Lavinia," he said softly.
She met his gaze, but only for a moment. "I would rather have dangerous dreams than none at all."
