Page 54 of If the Duke Dares
“My sister said he’d compromised Miss Barclay. I understood that to be you, but it seems my sister misspoke.” He should have realized that was wrong. Persey had indicated that her dislike of Bane and his friends wasn’t due to something that had happened toher. “I would still help your sister.”
“How? Are you going to force Bane to marry her? I’m fairly certain she wouldn’t agree to that. Not now. He’s utterly ruined her—not just socially, but romantically. She is devastated by his treatment.” She leaned slightly forward, her expression animated with outrage. “He told her he was desperate to be with her, that he adored her beyond all women. Then, when they were caught in an embrace, he said he was already betrothed. What sort of man does that?”
The sort who doesn’t want to be trapped. And the sort who oversteps.
Oversteps?
Bane had gone way past that. He’d behaved inappropriately with Persey’s sister while betrothed to someone else. Acton now saw how even embracing had been wrong if Bane had no intention of pursuing a courtship with Persey’s sister. He’d been cruel and dishonest.
“I don’t know,” Acton said quietly, sitting with the discomfort of his own past attitude and behavior as well as that of a man he considered a close friend.
“Well, while you consider your friend’s actions, just know that Pandora has been given the cut direct when she ventured from our aunt’s house. And now Aunt Lucinda says she won’t leave the house at all.”
Acton tried to think of how he could help Persey’s sister, but was at a loss. It seemed as though the damage was done in the eyes of Society.
Persey went on, “I imagine Bane won’t suffer in the slightest.” She muttered something more. It sounded like a curse.
“I’m going to find him and demand he answer for what he’s done.”
Her eyes rounded. “You’re going to call him out?”
“Not that.” While Bane might deserve a good thrashing, Acton wasn’t going to duel with his best friend. Could a man still be his best friend if he went about ruining innocent young women? “But he must answer for his actions. Somehow.”
“You don’t think he’s even betrothed,” Persey said. “Was that a lie he concocted to avoid having to marry Pandora?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll find out. In the meantime, there has to be something I can do to help your sister’s situation. Perhaps it would help for me to somehow indicate my support for her?”
She appeared skeptical, her eyes narrowing slightly. “How would that help?”
He lifted a shoulder. “I’m a duke. And Bane’s friend. If I publicly support her and criticize Bane, it may ease the gossip.”
Persey’s brow darkened. “It would add to it. I’m not sure we want that. We may leave Bath anyway.”
“Where will you go, and for how long?” He asked the question quickly, and perhaps with too much intensity.
“We aren’t sure yet. And I wouldn’t tell you. The last thing we need is for you or Bane to show up and bother us.”
That stung. Acton understood them not wanting to see Bane, but him too? “I’ve been nothing but your staunchest ally.”
“While that may be true, you are still a close friend of the devil incarnate.”
“That remains to be seen,” he said, surprising himself. “If he’s done what you say, I’m not certain we will remain friendly.”
“If… Do you doubt me?” Her voice rose.
“No. I just… This is not the man I thought I knew. I mean, he can be overly flirtatious and occasionally take a liberty here or there, as can I, but to be caught like that and turn his back on responsibility and honor is beyond the pale.” He shook his head. “No, it’s not just that he was caught. He should not have been in that situation to begin with, especially not if he was already betrothed.”
“I’m surprised to hear you say that,” she said softly.
“I’m learning. Trying to, anyway. Will you let me see if I can help, or are you thinking of leaving town immediately?”
“I’m sure Pandora will prefer the latter. Let me speak to Aunt Lucinda. Are you staying in Bath, then?” Persey was all business and concern for the matter regarding her sister—as she should be.
“For now.” He would welcome the chance to play escort to her and her sister.
She hesitated a moment as she glanced toward the door and where her aunt was waiting in the hall. “What about our…situation? Are we going to pretend to see if we will suit?”
“That seems the best plan,” he said, thinking it wouldn’t be a hardship at all. Indeed, he already enjoyed spending time with her.
