The air in the gardens was saturated with the delicate scent of blooming flowers as Joanna led Kenneth away from the stifling atmosphere of the dining room. Usually, the fresh air alleviated her troubles, but today they were too numerous to be chased away by something as simple as a soothing scent.
Likewise, the sunset, gorgeous as it was with hues of gold and lavender, would not cheer her. Dinner had been a disaster. Anunmitigateddisaster. Her father had been horrid to Kenneth, and the fact they did not know one another well had been obvious to everyone.
“Remarkable,” Kenneth muttered beside her, and she glanced at him before noticing that his eyes were fixed on the sun dipping beneath the distant hills, casting long shadows over the garden. “I dare say it is a balm to the soul after what we have just been through.”
Joanna paused, looking up once more at the orange and pink playing in the evening sky. “Yes, indeed. It is lovely, but I cannot say that it makes me feel better. If anything, I must apologize for my father’s behavior. He can be quite… insistent,” she said, her voice tinged with regret. “Lord Worcester—his friend—did not take the news well, and thus my father is opposed to our ‘courtship.’”
Kenneth turned to her, his gaze softening. “Your father made one thing abundantly clear. The fact that we do not know one another did not help things.”
Joanna sighed, a mix of frustration and guilt in her expression. “Kenneth, I never meant for our… arrangement to put you in such an uncomfortable position. My father’s questions were intrusive, and I didn’t anticipate the extent of his scrutiny. I should have thought of this before agreeing to anything.”
Kenneth met her gaze, sincerity in his eyes. “Joanna, I’m the one who suggested this… charade, and I apologize if it’s causing you distress. If you want to end our agreement, I completely understand. I’ve never intended to make you uncomfortable.”
The evening breeze carried a subtle chill, and Joanna felt a surge of gratitude for his understanding. Still, she knew she could not end things, at this point. To break two courtships within forty-eight hours was beyond the pale. Her father would never agree to it, and she’d be ridiculed in front of the whole ton.
“Kenneth, it’s not your fault. I appreciate your willingness to navigate this with me. Let me assure you, I do not wish to backout of our agreement. I can’t stop now. I need time to find a husband before my father arranges another match for me. But I propose we make the best of this situation.”
Kenneth met her gaze and nodded in understanding. “I’m glad to hear it, as it is what I also want. What do you suggest?”
A thoughtful expression crossed Joanna’s face as she considered their options. “Let’s get to know each other better, genuinely. No more pretending. We can spend time together, share our interests, and, who knows, perhaps find common ground.”
Kenneth’s eyes sparkled with a hint of curiosity. “I like that idea. I will say that I was most uncomfortable at dinner, given your father’s constant jibes about how little I know you. Though I would venture to say that Lord Worcester does not know you any better.”
Joanna let out a chuckle. “No, I can assure you that he does not. That did not bother my father, however.”
“Naturally not, as in that case, it did not matter, for he was getting what he wanted. Well, I dare say that I will gladly continue this charade of ours if it means your father is made to sweat.” Kenneth paused then, his eyes wide. “I did not mean to offend you.”
“You did not. He might be my father, but he and I do not see eye to eye on many things. And I know the same is true for the both of you,” she said and tilted her head to the side, remembering the argument Kenneth and her father had. Curiosity rose withinher, and she pursed her lips. “You are involved in Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Orphanage?”
Kenneth wetted his lips and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I am.” He nodded. “It was dear to my brother’s heart, and I am very invested.”
“I have never seen you there,” Joanna noted and motioned for him to resume their walk.
“You are involved as well?” He sounded genuinely surprised.
Joanna nodded eagerly. “I am. I help in the kitchen sometimes, peeling potatoes and such. Also, I like to read to the children and teach them things, like watercolors.”
Kenneth’s eyebrows rose. “I did not know the orphanage supplies watercolors.”
Joanna smiled. “It does not. I have an arrangement with a merchant who sells me watercolors deemed of lower quality at a cheap price. The sort that cannot be put in a set for the ton. The same is true for brushes and the canvases. Sally and I buy them with the money we receive monthly from our father. My mother also helps.”
Pride rose in her chest as she spoke about the orphanage, for she had a true passion for helping the children and wanted nothing more than to make their lives a little brighter.
“I am glad you have such an interest. My brother Edward used to teach the little boys to ride and fence,” Kenneth said, a warm smile on his lips.
Who was this brother of his? Joanna had noticed at dinner how uncomfortable Kenneth grew at the mention of his name. His brother had died, that much she’d gathered. But how, and when? She knew she could not ask such questions now, as it would not be appropriate, but she wondered, nonetheless.
“So, we’re both interested inthe orphanage. I wonder what else we might have in common.”
“I think that is something we ought to explore,” Kenneth admitted as they passed beneath an elm tree.
“Exactly. To make our ruse believable, we must spend time together and get to know one another better. Otherwise, nobody will believe us. We can start by sharing our likes, dislikes, and stories from our pasts—what makes us who we are.”
“A very good idea. It will help me withstand another interview, which I am sure looms in my near future,” Kenneth joked, and Joanna chuckled.
“All right, then, Kenneth. Let me start. What’s your favorite book, and why?”
Kenneth’s eyes lit up. “I’ve always been fond ofGulliver’s Travels. The complexities of societal expectations and the journey of self-discovery resonate with me.”
