Page 20 of The Duke of Seduction
“Have you been bothered?” He braced himself for an answer he wouldn’t like.
“Not precisely.” Her response gave him a modicum of solace. “My parents are rather good at deterring the fortune hunters and the social climbers. But it’s put me on display and made me into a commodity.”
“Isn’t that what the Marriage Mart does in the first place?” He might despise it, but he acknowledged it was the only way many young women in their class would gain a husband.
“Precisely why I prefer my wallflower status. The right man will find me—or I’ll find him—or I’ll gladly take my place upon the shelf. I’d much rather be unwed than unhappy. Rather, I should clarify: unloved.”
He was completely drawn in by her argument. “Love is important?”
“Love is the most important, I think. And compatibility. I suppose I could forgo the former if I could be certain of the latter.” She straightened, and her features tightened. “Oh dear, my mother is coming, and she’s bringing another gentleman. Can’t she see I’m talking to a marquess? Perhaps you should stay at my side indefinitely this Season, so as to drive off this nonsense the Duke of Seduction has created.”
“If I thought it would help, I would.” Beck was madly trying to think what he could do to rectify the situation entirely. What the hell had he done?
Furious with himself and generally disillusioned, he decided he couldn’t face her mother and whomever she had in tow. “Forgive me if I take my leave for now,” he said, offering her a bow.
“You’re leaving me? Where are you going?”
“To do…rakish things.” He winked at her for good measure and saw the flicker of something in her eyes.
Arousal?
There was that word again.
“Good evening, Lady Lavinia. Until next time when I shall act as your stalwart defender against the encroaching masses.” He took himself from the drawing room as quickly as possible and didn’t dare a backward glance.
