Page 55 of If the Duke Dares
Was he actually considering they might suit? For real? It didn’t matter. She’d made it clear she had no interest.
That was before they’d kissed, however.
“All right,” she said. “I suppose I can pretend to consider marrying you for a short time.” She made a sound of disgust in her throat that was not encouraging. “My parents will be thrilled,” she said with great sarcasm, leading him to believe the prior noise was directed at them instead of having to feign a courtship with him. Her eyes glittered. “I shall take great enjoyment in ultimately telling them we will not marry.”
That wasn’t encouraging either. Perhaps their shared kisses hadn’t affected her as much as they had him.
Persey went on, “I’ll discuss staying in Bath and whether we want your help with my aunt—and with Pandora.”
“I will do everything I can to mitigate the damage Bane has caused.”
She fixed him with a sincere stare. “Just don’t try to make him marry Pandora. Please.”
Acton nodded. “If that’s what you want.”
“I’m sure that’s what Pandora wants. At some point, she did say to me that she wouldn’t marry Bane if he were the last man alive.”
That was inarguable, then. Still, Acton wanted to find out what his friend had done and why, as well as whether he was actually going to marry. He would return to his mother’s house and send out several letters to Bane and their friends.
“You should go now,” Persey said, rising from the settee.
Damn. He didn’t want to leave. They hadn’t even talked. At least about something other than this mess with her sister and Bane.
Acton stood, but didn’t move away. “How are you? I trust you had a good night’s rest after yesterday. It was a long day even if we hadn’t traveled hours in a coach and been stranded for a while.” He wondered if she’d thought of what had happened during that time as much as he had.
“I did, thank you, but only because I was thoroughly exhausted. I’m afraid I woke early this morning, and my mind went immediately to Pandora, which prevented me from sleeping any longer.”
“I know how that can be.” Because his first thoughts upon waking had been of Persey, and then he’d been eager to see her as soon as possible. He’d only forced himself to have breakfast so that he wouldn’t arrivetooearly.
She tipped her head to the side. “We should plan something, I suppose. Perhaps a promenade in Sydney Gardens. Or we could meet for tea at the Pump Room?”
“Whatever you think is best. I can also consult with my sisters, since they are very familiar with Bath.”
“They grew up here, didn’t they?” Persey asked. At his nod, she continued, “Will they support what you’re doing?”
He needn’t tell them anything other than he was going to see if he and Persey would suit, as their mother had suggested they might. “Courting you? Why not?”
“Because my sister may be seen as a pariah.” She flinched as she said that last word, and Acton wished he could make the entire mess disappear.
“She won’t be. At least that is our goal, and I’m taking it as seriously as I did protecting you.” He held her gaze and couldn’t help recalling how she’d felt in his arms. It was not going to be a chore to pretend to court her.
“Thank you.” She looked away finally. “Now go.” She started walking toward the door, and he had to go along with her.
“I’ll send a note later with an invitation.” He snagged Persey’s arm just before they reached the door. “What is your aunt’s surname?” he whispered.
“Barclay-Fiennes,” Persey responded.
He released her arm, and Persey stepped into the hall. “Aunt Lucinda, the duke is leaving now.”
Lucinda rose from a chair and looked to Acton. “Will we be seeing you again, Duke?”
“Most definitely, Mrs. Barclay-Fiennes. I shall look forward to it.” Acton bowed to her and to Persey before taking himself back downstairs.
As he took his hat and gloves from Harding, he thought of the many things he and Persey hadn’t discussed, namely if she had any idea what was going on with her parents. One thing was certain, they’d be delighted to discover that he was courting their daughter.
Well, not courting, exactly, for that would be too formal. Whatever they called it, the baron and baroness would be elated. Acton couldn’t imagine Persey would find satisfaction in that, and neither would Acton.
But this was for Pandora. The time he got to spend with Persey was simply a happy benefit.
