Page 32 of An Earl to Save the Diamond
“Tell me, Andrew, the reason why you have such a reputation as a rake and are ill-mannered to the ladies and their mothers; is it because of me?” Marjorie asked.
“You know the answer to that,” Andrew huffed.
“Then you also know my answer,” Marjorie said. Andrew took hold of her face and kissed her again, but Marjorie pulled away.
“We are the most unlikely pair. Surely, we are doomed,” she laughed.
“Don’t say that,” Andrew sighed.
Marjorie took Andrew’s hand in hers. “I need you to promise me something,” she said.
“What is that?”
“Don’t be too hard on Ellen.”
“Where is this coming from? All I want is for Ellen to get married to a good and respectable gentleman. I do not mean my sister any harm.”
“I want her to find love not just marry out of duty.”
“This is not a promise I can fulfill. Love is fickle, but duty remains unwavering, and it is important to my mother and to the family.”
Marjorie looked at him, and when she was satisfied by whatever she saw there, she nodded.
“Speaking of Ellen. Should she not be back here already?”
A soft knock at the door interrupted Marjorie’s reply. “Speak of the devil, and she shall appear,” said Marjorie as she got up from her seat. A servant had barely opened the door when Marjorie rushed to the doors to reveal Ellen standing there. Marjorie hugged her tightly, pretending not to notice the faint smell of what would be the Earl’s scent on her skin.
“Oh, Marjorie, I have had the most wonderful evening!” Ellen gushed.
“I am certain that you have,” came Andrew’s booming voice as he stood.
Ellen looked at Marjorie fearfully but ready to defend her actions to her brother if it came to it. “Andrew,” she gasped. “I thought you would have gone home already?”
“How could I go home when you were out all by yourself? And without a chaperone?”
“Oh, don’t be so dramatic, Andrew. Ellen was hardly alone. I told you she was with the Dowager Countess,” Marjorie replied, coming to Ellen’s rescue.
“And I would have had a chaperone if you had not drowned in your cups,” Ellen added.
“Don’t play coy with me,” Andrew growled. “We both know who was responsible for that,” he huffed, glaring at Marjorie.
Marjorie laughed. “You got yourself drunk, Your Grace. Not me. Does it bruise your ego to know that you lost a bet to a lady?”
“I am sure there is an explanation for that, one that involves you cheating as I would expect.”
“Nothing you can prove.”
“We will see about that.”
“I say, are you not going to ask me what I did this evening?” Ellen asked to distract the two from fighting.
The Duke wrinkled his nose. “There is no need for that. Marjorie already informed me. I cannot bear hearing it twice.”
Ellen glanced at Marjorie who winked conspiratorially. “I told Andrew here that I had taken you down to the book club, and you had become so passionate, you had to remain for the recruitment party. I assured him that you were in safe hands, of course, but your pig-headed brother wanted to see for himself.”
“Thank you, Marjorie.”
“Of course. Now, let us retire for the night. Andrew can find his way back home, isn’t that correct?”
