“Temperamental and easy to provoke?” Sally snorted, her head tilted to the side.
Joanna opened her mouth to retort, but then Rosy returned—effectively shutting her up—and laid out gowns for her to choose from.
Sally had always been quick to see through Joanna’s schemes, but all Joanna could do this time was hope that her sister would not easily unravel her carefully laid out plans.
As they continued their lively exchange, Joanna’s thoughts drifted to the impending evening with the Duke of Wells. The idea of masquerading as a couple, appearing familiar with each other and connected when she knew so little about him, made her stomach churn with apprehension. The agreement they made at the park echoed in her mind—a temporary alliance for their mutual benefit. Yet, as reality set in, she couldn’t help but dread the approaching evening.
They hadn’t even had time to talk about what to do next. Her mother’s idea of inviting him to dinner had made this impossible. Of course, Joanna should have considered the possibility. After all, it would make all the sense in the world to want your daughter’s future husband to meet the family. However, it had also robbed her of the chance to make plans for such an occasion.
In the quiet moments when her sisters were momentarily occupied with choosing gowns for themselves, Joanna looked in the mirror, contemplating the reflection that stared back at her. The lilac silk gown she’d selected hung elegantly around her frame, but the uncertainty in her eyes betrayed the confident facade she attempted to put on.
How could she navigate this charade with Kenneth, a man she barely knew, while concealing her inner turmoil?
As they left the chamber arm in arm, Joanna came to a decision. She needed to find a moment alone with Kenneth during the evening, for they had to decide what to do next so they’d not be caught off guard again.
The anticipation of the night hung in the air, tinged with a blend of excitement, anxiety, and the unspoken complexities that lingered beneath the surface.
CHAPTER 8
Kenneth exited the carriage. The cool evening air ruffled his hair slightly, and he smoothed it back before walking on.
As he made his way to the imposing manor, his steps felt heavier, the upcoming charade pressing down on him like an unwelcome load. Leonard’s words echoed in his mind because he knew his friend was not wrong entirely. What he was doing was dishonest, but by Jove, it was the only thing he could do at this very moment.
Kenneth steeled himself at the front door and used the large brass knocker—which was shaped like a lion’s head—to announce his arrival.
The butler, Jenkins, opened the door with practiced grace. “Your Grace, welcome. Please, after you.” He stepped aside to let Kenneth enter, his face unsmiling yet pleasant.
Kenneth, remembering their brusque encounter the last time he was here, cleared his throat and offered a sincere apology. “Jenkins, I must apologize for my behavior during my last visit. It was uncalled for, and I hope you can forgive me.”
Jenkins, maintaining his stoic demeanor, acknowledged the apology with a nod, the way a long-serving butler ought. “Your apology is accepted, Your Grace. Please, follow me.”
Kenneth followed Jenkins into the manor, the grandeur of their surroundings serving as a stark reminder of the expectations and pretenses that awaited him inside. The knot in his stomach tightened as he approached the main hall. This time, he had a chance to look around and note the elaborate tapestries that hung on the walls, along with the many paintings of assorted landscapes. He recognized the cliffs of Dover, the Colosseum in Rome, and some of the more local motives.
Just then, the Earl and Countess of Carlisle made their entrance. While the Countess smiled at him, Kenneth couldn’t help but notice the stern expression on the Earl’s face, his eyes flashing with anger that sent a shiver down Kenneth’s spine.
Kenneth knew that the Earl would not take kindly to this disruption of his plans, but it was too late to do anything about it now. He gulped, steeling himself for the challenging evening ahead.
“Your Grace,” the Earl greeted with a curt nod. His lips were pressed tightly together, and Kenneth saw how cracked they were, mirroring the many lines on his forehead.
Kenneth nodded in return, doing his best to conceal the apprehension that gnawed at him. “Lord and Lady Carlisle, a pleasure to see you again.”
The Countess, maintaining her regal composure, said gracefully, “Dinner will be served shortly. We hope you enjoy the evening, we are certainly glad you were able to join us on such short notice.”
“Of course, I was eager to come, and I want to thank you for your invitation.”
Kenneth managed a polite smile, his mind racing as he followed the Earl and Countess into the drawing room. Would Joanna be here? He knew she’d be at the dinner, but would she be in the drawing room? Would he have a chance to talk to her so they could further strategize?
Alas, the drawing room was empty.
A fire crackled in the hearth, and the room had clearly been prepared to receive a visitor, for it looked as though every nook and cranny had been cleaned. Still, the atmosphere was tense, and Kenneth couldn’t shake the feeling that every step forward in this intricate dance brought him closer to a revelation or a downfall.
The consequences of his decisions loomed large, and he braced himself for the challenges that the evening held in store.
But before he could so much as take a seat, chatter sounded down the hall. Within a moment, the Earl of Carlisle’s daughters stepped into the drawing room.
Kenneth did not recognize the two young women at the front, though he noted the resemblance to the Countess. The taller of the two carried herself with a seriousness that told him she was the eldest daughter, while the other had a sparkle in her eyes often seen in younger children, who were more prone to mischief and could get away with such things.
Trailing behind them was Joanna, and the way she stood, with her shoulders pulled back, her head held high, and her rosy cheeks accentuated by her lilac gown, he could not deny her beauty and grace. He smiled at her, surprised that it was a genuine smile, free of pretense. She returned it, but there was no time for further interaction, as her mother took charge of the situation.
