Page 95 of If the Duke Dares
“I love you too. We’re going to be all right.”
Yes, they were. Because they had each other.
Acton watched in horror as Persey exited the library, her head high and shoulders back. She was angry. With him. And she had every right to be.
“Wellesbourne?” Mrs. Bertram sidled up next to him once more, pouting up at him. “Where were we before that chit interrupted us?”
“Chit?” Acton woke as if from a dream. No, a nightmare. “That was the very lovely Miss Barclay.” Acton stopped Mrs. Bertram from putting her hand on him again and stepped away.
He walked toward the doorway, intending to find Persey and explain. He stopped abruptly. What, exactly, would he explain?
That Mrs. Bertram had approached him with a flirtatious manner and he’d, by habit, responded in kind? That the moment she’d clasped his arm, he’d felt a searing discomfort, something he’d never experienced before, and that he’d been in the process of trying to politely extricate himself when Persey had arrived?
Persey would never believe him. And why should she? His actions were those of the man she’d always known him to be, the man he’d thought he could leave behind: a consummate rake.
But he did want to change. He loved Persey and was ready to beg her to spend their lives together. How could he do that now? Would she even listen to him?
He had to try.
Moving toward the door once more, he ran straight into Somerton and Droxford.
Droxford inclined his head toward the corner and started in that direction. Acton didn’t want to waste time with them. He needed to find Persey. “Can this wait?”
Somerton shook his head before nudging Acton toward the corner. Exhaling with frustration, Acton moved to join Droxford.
Back to the room, Somerton frowned at Acton. “Now,you’reengaged and didn’t tell us?”
What nonsense was this? “I am not, at the moment, betrothed.”
“‘At the moment’?” Somerton asked, brows arching.
“We’ve heard you are marrying the sister of the young lady Bane compromised,” Droxford said. “Is that not true?”
“Good Lord, where did you hear that?” But Acton knew. Persey’s parents hadn’t been able to keep their mouths shut.
“It’s a rumor floating about this evening,” Somerton responded. “But you’re saying it isn’t true?”
“It is not.” Unfortunately. “Though I would give anything for it to be,” he admitted.
Both men stared at him in disbelief. “Have you fallen in love?” Somerton asked, appearing shocked.
“Yes.”
“Congratulations,” Droxford said, clapping him on the arm. “When is the wedding?”
“He’s not yet engaged,” Somerton interjected. “Are you planning to propose? Why is this a rumor if it has not yet happened?”
“Her parents like to spread gossip that may or may not be true. In this case, I wouldlikeit to be true, but it is not.”
“Because you asked her, and she declined?” Somerton asked, aghast. “Is she daft?”
Droxford looked to Somerton, his scowl deepening. “You think she’s somehow addlebrained because she would refuse Wellesbourne? One might think she is exceedingly clever, given his reputation.”
Somerton pressed his lips together and made a sound of disgust.
“I have not asked her.” Acton thought about how he’d intended to, but she’d bade him not to. And she’d been right to do so. At that moment, it would have been for the wrong reason. Now, however, asking her to marry him seemed not only right but absolutely essential.
“Then what are you waiting for?” Somerton demanded.
