Page 77 of If the Duke Dares
“You can address them, then, while Cecily and I write the details,” Francesca said with a teasing laugh.
“Perfect.” Their mother looked nearly ecstatic. “I’ll prepare a guest list right now.”
“You’ve only just arrived, Mama,” Cecily pointed out. “Rest for a bit.”
“Nonsense. This is the most excited I’ve been about something in a long time. I couldn’t possibly take a respite.” She stood. “I’ll have Mrs. Hedge help me set up the table in here for us to gather around and write everything out. This will be such fun.”
After she left the library, Acton’s sisters pinned him with an expectant stare.
“This is because of you,” Francesca said.
He blinked at his sister. “What is?”
“Her excitement about having a soiree when it isn’t even the Season yet.”
“Is that bad?” Acton couldn’t see anything wrong with it.
“It’s not bad,” Cecily said. “It’s just different. Please don’t disappoint her in any way.”
“Why would I do that?”
Francesca’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Because you are our father’s son, and there was no one better at disappointing her than him.”
He was? Acton had always thought—more accurately, he’d been told—that his parents’ separation was mutual, that his mother had been thrilled to leave his father and have her own household away from him. That did not sound like someone who would be disappointed by the man she’d been eager to leave behind.
Perhaps the reason Acton was so good at telling lies was that he’d had a good teacher. He pushed that thought away, preferring to focus on happier things.
Such as Persey and how in a matter of hours, she would be in his arms once more.
Chapter18
Impatience and anticipation drove Acton to arrive a quarter hour early for his assignation with Persey. He went to the bench where they’d been last night and sat down. Then he got up, for it was rather cold. Mostly, he needed to move as he was desperate to see her.
Though seeing her would be more difficult tonight because the sky was overrun with clouds. Acton worried it might rain.
She came out of the house five minutes later. Acton smiled, wondering if she was as eager to see him as he was her.
He stood near the bench, his body thrumming. When she came around the hedge, he snatched her into his arms as he’d wanted to do last night and kissed her.
Twining her arms around his neck, she returned the kiss. Acton swung her about, lifting her feet from the ground. She laughed into his mouth, and he set her down.
“It seems you’re pleased to see me,” she said breathlessly, keeping her hands on his shoulders.
“Ecstatic.” He clasped her waist, unwilling and unable to let her go. “And I’m so glad to see you smiling. I feared the worst after I received your note.”
There was just enough light for him to note the darkening of her features. Or perhaps he was just that attuned to her moods after spending so much time with her. Although, it wasn’t really enough time. Not since they’d reached Bath.
“My parents have made a mess of everything,” she said crossly, sliding her hands down to his chest. “They’ve negotiated a marriage contract for me. To my mother’s cousin’s son, Harold.”
It was as if someone had sent their fist into Acton’s gut. He struggled to take a deep breath. “What?”
“After leaving Loxley Court, they went to my mother’s cousin’s and arranged this marriage. Harold is an MP, and their family is wealthy.” Her eyes were wide and distressed. “He ispayingthem to wed me.”
Acton actually sputtered. “This is outrageous,” he finally managed. “They came to negotiate a marriage withmeat Loxley Court. I only refused because you weren’t there in person to consent. I will fight this marriage. I have first right of refusal.”
She stared at him in silence for a moment. Then she laughed. And snorted.
“This isn’t a joke.” Acton was outraged. Her parents couldn’t sell her off to the highest bidder. This was madness. In any case, he would pay more than this idiot Harold if he had to.
