Page 24 of The Duke of Seduction
Rather than focus on his regret or discomfort, he tried for some humor to lighten her mood. “Do you plan to employ poetry?”
“Goodness, no. That’s a rather unique skill, I think. At least to be good at it—and the duke most certainly is. For all his faults—and I’m prepared to say he must havemany—he knows how to wield a quill.”
That gave Beck an absurd measure of delight. He shoved it aside. “I apologize for resorting to a drastic measure. I couldn’t think of another way to avoid you having to promenade with Devaney or, and this may have been more likely, fisticuffs.”
She turned her body toward him. “Do you think he would have hit you?”
Beck shrugged. “Imight have hit him.” He slid her a glance and saw that her eyes widened briefly.
“Have you fought before?”
“At Oxford. Felix—that is, the Earl of Ware—and I got into plenty of trouble. Ware used to arrange amateur boxing matches. They typically devolved into a drunken brawl with less and less fighting and more drinking as the evening wore on.” He winced again, and this time, he knew she saw. “My apologies. This isn’t a terribly appropriate topic of conversation for a young lady.”
“Perhaps not, but it’s far more interesting than Lord Fielding’s favorite dances or Mr. Barkby’s penchant for sopranos.”
“What’s that?”
She waved her hand. “Nothing. Just the topics I was forced to listen to in the park. I’m certain you saved me from abject boredom with Lord Devaney. I feel confident he would have found a line of conversation that entertained only him and would be oblivious to my indifference. Why couldn’t Sir Martin have been here today? At least he has the potential to be engaging.”
“Why is that?”
“He’s interested in science, astronomy in particular.”
“And of course that would be far more appealing to you.” For some odd reason, he was glad Sir Martin hadn’t been there.
“Far more.” She gestured to the right side of the street as they approached the intersection with Mount Street. “My house is just there.”
He located the number twenty-five. “While we have another moment alone, let me apologize again for what happened in the park.”
“I don’t blame you at all.”
“You might when this only serves to make you more popular.”
“Blast, you may be right. No, youareright.” She tipped her head back and blew out a frustrated breath.
He drew the curricle to a halt and stepped down. After walking around the back of the vehicle, he helped her to the street. “I regret the annoyance this will cause you.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s entirely due to the meddlesome Duke of Seduction. If not for him, your interference wouldn’t even have been necessary. If not for him, I would have enjoyed a pleasant walk in the park with my friends.”
Beck’s brain was working hard to come up with a way to make things right for her. If he could. He certainly didn’t want to make matters worse, as he’d probably done today. He offered her his arm and led her to the door.
The butler opened the door as they reached the top of the front steps. She let go of his arm and turned to him. “Thank you for seeing me home. Don’t be concerned about me or my dilemma. I believe I’ve come up with a solution.”
“The letter to theChronicle?” At her nod, he made an offer that was perhaps ill-advised, but he did so anyway. “I’d be happy to deliver it for you.” That way, he could ensure the editor would print it—Beck’s solicitor would hand-deliver it and obtain the man’s assurance.
Her gaze flickered with surprise. “That’s rather helpful, thank you, but I don’t know that it’s necessary.”
They were out of time for further discussion. Unless he accompanied her inside, and he hadn’t been invited. Not that he wanted to be. Good Lord, he was treading far too close to a line he had no interest in crossing. Hell, he’d been so caught up in thinking of her situation, he’d failed to consider his own. People would think he was courting her. Or wanted to. Or was at least interested in her. She was unmarried, and he was a rake. AnUntouchablerake, if one listened to Society’s labels.
He scoffed inwardly. He didn’t give a fig if they decided he planned to marry. He knew he didn’t, and that was none of their concern. He bowed to Lady Lavinia and returned to his curricle, eager to be on his way before her mother showed up.
It was one thing for Society at large to think he wished to wed, and another entirely for the Countess of Balcombe to believe he wanted to marry her daughter. He ought to keep his distance, which wouldn’t allow him to protect Lady Lavinia from unwanted suitors. Nevertheless, it would be necessary.
Something else was necessary: it was time for the Duke of Seduction to disappear.
