Page 24 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Rogue

Rowena and the viscount both looked up at the same time. When she saw the baron of Elsbrook standing in the row behind them, looking at her father with a stern expression, she was surprisingly relieved.

The viscount hastily dropped her wrist, folding his hands quickly in his lap as though to pretend that what the baron had just witnessed hadn’t happened at all.

“Baron Elsbrook,” he said adopting a treacly voice, “how nice to see you so . . . unexpectedly,” he said, his cheeks flushed.

The baron tipped his hat and bowed to the ladies, wishing them a good afternoon. The viscountess and Sybil returned his greetings pleasantly, but Rowena could tell they were still both shaken at the scene that had just occurred.

Then, Lord Elsbrook turned pointedly toward Rowena and gave her a kind smile.

“My lord, would you permit me the honor of escorting Miss Rowena on a walk around the racecourse?” he asked the earl with smile that brooked no refusal.

Rowena bit her tongue to keep her mouth from falling open in shock. Why was the baron asking her to walk with him? He had made it clear that he had no interest in her that night at the ball. And hadn’t he read the scandal sheets? Still, it was a chance to escape her father. After what he had done, she couldn’t bear to look at him, let alone speak to him.

“I would be delighted, my lord,” she said politely before the earl could answer.

She rose and moved to the end of the row, where she took the baron’s extended hand, carefully avoiding her father’s gaze. She could feel his glare on her back as they went down the stairs, and she had to suppress a shudder. She did not even feel safe speaking until they had left the stands far behind them, though she felt a strange sense of safety in holding the baron’s strong arm. It was he who spoke first.

“Are you all right, Miss Whitworth?” he asked.

Rowena nodded, giving him a proud look.

“Yes,” she said. “Though I am grateful to you for coming along when you did.”

Lord Elsbrook nodded, studying her carefully.

“What was that all about?” he asked.

Rowena sniffed. The only thing worse than defying her father would be to air their private business in public. She shook her head, meeting his gaze with her own firm one.

“Why did you ask me to walk with you, my lord?” she asked, changing the subject.

The baron chuckled.

“You mean, besides attempting to rescue you from your father?” he asked. “Actually, there is another reason. I would very much like to invite you to meet me in Hyde Park tomorrow morning to take the air.”

Rowena stared up at him.

“Why on earth would I want to do that?” she asked. “I have no interest in meeting with you.”

Andrew smirked again and tilted his head.

“Do not be so quick to dismiss the idea, miss,” he said. “You might want to hear the rest of what I have to say.”

Rowena looked up at him, her brows knitting. Who was he to presume what she might want? She had no idea what he was talking about, but she was getting tired of the men in her life forcing her to do things she didn’t want to do.

“I know quite well what I want and what I don’t want,” she said. “And I am sure that I don’t want to meet you at the park. Or anywhere, for that matter. In fact, I regret coming on this walk with you.”

She started to release his arm, but he gently held it in place, a pleading look in his eyes. His eyes were so intense, she found herself pinned in place, unable to leave. At least, not without giving him another piece of her mind, or so she told herself.

“I have a proposal to offer you,” he said. His mouth was still smiling, but there was something else in his eyes. “A proposal which, I believe, is one from which we could both benefit.”

She narrowed her eyes, uncertain how to respond. She still found him to be every bit as insufferable as she had at the ball. But she couldn’t help being intrigued. And it wasn’t as though whatever he had to say could make her life any worse than it already was. Nothing in the world could be worse than being forced to marry the Earl of Axenshire.

“Oh?” she asked, keeping her tone bland and her gaze frank. “And what might that be?”

What he said next stunned her beyond words, her jaw dropped, and she stopped in her tracks, turning to look at him in amazement.

“I know for a fact, don’t ask me how, that your father wishes to make a match between you and Lord Axenshire,” he said.

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