Page 5 of Her Ruse with the Wicked Duke
“I am not generally a desperate man, Miss Snow. I make this offer with no strings attached. You help me, and I will help you. Would you not appreciate the mind of man to help you understand the inner workings of the ton’s gentlemen?”
She watched as his gaze drifted down her body, sending a wave of heat across her skin. “Your Grace, although it may be helpful at some point, I do not even know you! What exactly would my being an accomplice entail?”
“That will come in time, I promise you. Simply being on my arm for several moments will be rewarding for both of us, I am sure. You do not even need to say yes now, I just want you to think about it.”
He cannot be serious… but he sounds so genuine. How can I say no?
He looked into her eyes with something she had never seen before, and she had to look away from his intense, convincing gaze.
“Fine. I will think about it.”
“Really?” His eyes lit up, and she could not help but smile and nod.
“I said I wouldthinkabout it. That is not a final answer.”
“Of course, Miss Snow.”
She watched his eyes as a childlike excitement lit them up, the grey hues sparkling in the moonlight. She could not help but drink in his features, sharp but smooth in the darkness. He was certainly the most handsome man she had ever met, and she felt a small smile spread across her face upon thinking about the kiss she had shared with this man that every woman of the ton was pining after.
I cannot be dishonest and say that the idea of making the Earl of Eaton, and quite frankly the entire ton, jealous does not intrigue me. After all, this Season has been dominated by the other ladies and the connections their families have built for them.
Before she could continue, she remembered her manners. “Apologies. I did not catch your name.”
“Rowan Salvator, the Duke of Grafton. Apologies for silencing you the way I did. Entirely improper of me. I have been at sea too long, I suppose.”
“You have spilled bourbon on my gown and put my reputation as an unblemished lady in a perilous place. What else does the gentleman have planned for the evening?” She walked around the fountain, peering down at the small, silvery coins that people had decided to drop in as wishes.
I wish to find a husband by the end of the Season. Then, I will be more than just my brother’s scullery maid, fetching things for him and pouring his tea. I will finally escape this terrible life I have lived for far too long.
“Please bear in mind, Miss Snow, that this is a temporary engagement, and if you do accept, and wish to end it, we can arrange it. Our partnership will be nothing more than a way for you to get the attention of whomever you desire and for me to gain connections with the gentlemen of the ton to help my business.”
“Well, I suppose I have not made the best first impression, but there are plenty of women you will meet over the course of the Season who are looking to be wed.” She smiled lightly.
“No. I mean, I will not be taking a wife. I wanted to preface our arrangement before you try to set me up with a lady you believe I may want. Would you like me to take you to your chaperone before we must endure the onslaught of gossip? I believe we can sneak out this way.”
She looked up at him as he held his arm out, and in the moonlight, he looked enigmatic, daring her to take a leap of faith. She wondered if she made the right choice.
ChapterThree
“Icannot believe it.”
“After what he did to her gown, nonetheless!”
“Oh, there he is,” a woman whispered as Rowan passed them on the street the next day.
Oxford Street was quite busy on a Tuesday morning, he had discovered.
He had planned to head out when nobody would be shopping to have a little privacy, but obviously, the plan was foiled by the women of this dreaded city.
I am quickly remembering why I never wanted to come back here.
He stepped into a tailor’s shop and nodded to the gentlemen in the store being fitted for coats and trousers.
“Your Grace, what a surprise to see you in London.” The old man behind the counter smiled, his greying hair wisping out from under his top hat. “I do not suppose the Americas made you forget about this old place?”
“I could never forget you.” Rowan smiled back, shaking his hand. “I am looking for your nicest, most elegant piece.”
“As usual, it seems. Your mother stopped by just a few weeks ago to give her greetings. Have you seen her since you arrived in the city?”
